Growth Mindset
There are things other than our muscles that need to grow
A mindset is the attitudes and beliefs a person has that affects every decision they make. Their behavior is a result of this mindset. It is the “why” we do the things that we do. A growth mindset is a concept that views situations as opportunities for improvement.
Mindsets can come from a number of different sources. The biggest contributors come from the people we look up to throughout our life. This includes parents, teachers, coaches, siblings, friends, etc. What we learn from these people, especially during childhood, affects how we think about situations. It’s just like that old expression: “Someone’s always watching.” So understand that your behaviors are being observed and these are having an impact on others’ mindsets which will ultimately change their behavior.
A mindset can also be developed from experiences such as successes and failures. You’re not always going to win, and how you react to these instances will dictate how you approach similar situations in the future.
For example, you’re learning to ride a bike and you have a spill. You can either learn from what happened and get back on the bike to try again, or you become fearful of crashing again or embarrassed of being unsuccessful. The latter is a common mindset for younger people to develop without proper guidance along the way.
Leadership
One of the most impactful factors on our thought process is the leadership that we’ve been exposed to. It is a leader’s responsibility, whether it’s a parent, coach, or team leader to set a good example for their followers. If you see others who approach every day as an opportunity to better themselves and you are coached to do that as well, you wouldn’t know anything better. Growth would be a normal thing for you.
On the other hand, if you are surrounded by people who are comfortable with where they are and don’t really challenge themselves, or are afraid of failure, it could be easy to fall into this trap. There’s responsibility that comes with having the power to have an impact on someone’s life and it’s not something that should be taken lightly.
Growth mindset is based on a belief in change
In order to develop this way of thinking, you have to believe that basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. Basically, you have the ability to craft yourself into whatever you want if you are willing to put in the work. Look at the big picture and understand that you have the ability to change your situation, whatever it may be.
What comes to mind when thinking about this is that you can get better or get worse, but you never stay the same. If that is how you perceive your day, it makes it an easy decision to get out there and get better at something because nobody wants to get worse.
Always be a student
Let go of your insecurities and be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. It’s okay to not be good at something at first. Always have an open mind and be willing to learn. This is one challenge that we face a lot when working with athletes because it comes natural for them to compete. They expect to be good at everything, especially during training. But the big picture is that we are all learning and there is always something to improve on. That’s something we all need to carry with us to all parts of our lives. Nobody’s perfect and there’s always room for improvement.
Not about talent
Value comes from effort and attitude rather than strictly abilities. Take pride in the work you do rather than the talent you have. This is why I love working in a strength and conditioning setting above anything else. It doesn’t matter to me who athletes are or how talented they may be. In all honesty, I don’t care who can lift the most weight or run the fastest. What I look for and what we try to mold are athletes who approach every minute together as an opportunity to improve. If you can have this approach in whatever it is you do and you can bring others along with you, your group or team is going places.
It’s okay to fail
Failure is a very underrated tool for success. Everybody is going to fail at some point at something. How you react to that failure is completely up to you. Just like learning to ride a bike. If growth is your number one priority, then you will use these situations as learning opportunities. Take an objective look at exactly what happened in detail, make the proper adjustments, and move forward with a better plan.
Using failure as a tool is something that is definitely easier said than done. Obviously we don’t go into any situation with hopes of failing. We want to succeed. But having an open mind and adapting when things don’t go according to plan is how we grow as individuals. Using failure as a learning tool and as motivation will only make it so much sweeter when you do reach your goals. Failure is essential in order for true growth.
Approach every day as an opportunity to improve and hopefully by the end of the day you’re going to bed being a better version of yourself than when you woke up.
Priority Checklist:
There is always something to improve on. Even championship winning teams don’t play perfect games. Always look for ways to better yourself and others.
Constantly challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to put yourself outside your comfort zone mentally and physically. Remember: always be a student.
Watch your words. If you are in a leadership position, make sure your criticism and praise is constructive and does not tear people down.
Hold yourself and others accountable. Never forget why you started on whatever journey it is that you’re on. Do your best to keep everybody on the right path.
Always find new goals. Once you accomplish something, don’t get comfortable. Always look for new challenges to overcome.
