3 Mindsets For Successful Living
We all experience the same reality, what separates us is perspective…
I drag myself out of bed at 9am, scrape a morsel of butter against my foosty toast, force myself through 5km of painful running, head to the job I hate, come home to procrastinate on my laptop for a few hours and finally, at the end of the day, slouch in to bed to repeat the whole damned thing again tomorrow.
Shift.
I rise sharply at 9am ready for the day ahead, butter a delicious piece of toast ensuring i use the oldest piece first to save money, bounce through my morning 5km run while intentionally focussing on my breathing and appreciating the challenge i’ve set for myself, go to my job where i learn valuable, useful skills that will help with my career progression, come home to research possible funding opportunities for my side hustle and finally, at the end of the day, snuggle in to my bed to repeat the whole wonderful experience again tomorrow.
The 2 aforementioned routines are entirely identical — from timing, to activities, to the same piece of toast — they’re EXACTLY the same.
The difference between them is found solely in the mindset of the narrator. While Individual 1 approaches life with a negative, uninterested, lacklustre demeanour, Individual 2 appreciates the beauty of life with each passing day.
The hypothetical situation above highlights the immense difference a simple mindset shift can make. While life could be perceived pessimistically, seeing the worst in every situation, it could also be viewed optimistically, seeing the best.
You could make all the money in the world but if you’re apathetic to wealth then what’s the point? You could have the adoration of millions of fans but if you still hated yourself then what’s the point?
Beneficial mindsets allow you to make the most of this life; comprehending every situation with an optimism grounded in reality.
Regardless of how you look at it, mindset plays an important part in all our lives, and by heeding the lessons of those before us, we can use them to our advantage.
Mission Statement
Mentioned in Stephen R. Covey’s, multi-million dollar best-seller — “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” , is the idea of a Mission Statement.
In this the author argues that goals, objectives and targets typically change over time. One year, your goal may be to earn $100,000, but the next year you have to reconfigure and suddenly it’s $1,000,000. Your may aspire to deadlift 150kg but by the time you reach that milestone, you realise that 200kg is within your capabilities. The point he’s trying to make here is that goals are impermanent and subject to change.
The author then argues that a mission statement is more steadfast in the face of change, adversity, and life. A mission statement, simply put, is about:
“defining the personal, moral and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfil yourself.”
It’s a set of underlying values that you hold above all else. It’s your very character that ensures integrity in all actions and decisions. It’s the rules, guidelines and values you hold dearest.
Writing your own Mission Statement is something that requires deep, introspective self-reflection and may even take many months to fully develop. It’s about determining what matters most and allowing your deepest values to navigate you through life.
Below are excerpts from my Mission Statement:
- Always challenge yourself and ensure you make the most of this life.
- Stay true to your individuality by valuing your own interests and values above all else.
- Remain honest and transparent in all situations, regardless of the consequences.
Writing and abiding by your Mission Statement is an inside-out approach. You’ll be able to confidently venture in to any environment, knowing with pride, that you’re staying true to your very character.
Stoicism — Sphere of Control
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy created by the Ancient Greeks that has recently exploded in popularity. For good reason, many have adopted the lessons from philosophers such as Marcus Arellius, Epictetus and Seneca as their teachings prove timeless.
One aspect of the philosophy that has truly stuck with me is the subject of control, influence and experience. Stoics imagine these parts to be separate with the inner circle of control only pertaining to one’s conscious experience of reality:
“We control our reasoned choice and all acts that depend on that moral will. What’s not under our control are the body and any of its parts, our possessions, parents, siblings, children, or country — anything with which we might associate.”
— EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 1.22.10
The stoic mindset views anything other than our ‘reasoned choice’ to be outwith our control. The bank can seize your assets, your parents can die, your body can fail you. These are all out-with your control; wether these happen or not is beyond your determination.
The only thing you can truly control is your approach to life, how you see the world, what you choose to do and why you choose to do it.
Misfortune can be met with distress, unease and distaste but if you truly understand that these things are beyond your control then why mourn?
You could weep, feel sorry for yourself and wallow at how unfair life is or understand that life is just life — It doesn’t have an agenda.
This mindset puts everything in perspective for me. Instead of complaining or arguing about things that are beyond my control, I simply accept them and make the most of each situation.
Try catching yourself every-time you find yourself complaining about how unfair things are, you may uncover that it’s more than you’d like…
Seek Discomfort
“Seek Discomfort” is the motto of the mega-popular YouTube channel Yes Theory. They’re a group of out-going guys based in California who live by the philosophy that you should always say YES and ‘Seek Discomfort’
Their clothing brand and original motto is the line ‘Seek Discomfort’, and in their own words, seek discomfort means:
the best things in life are outside your comfort zone
From bungee-jumping out of helicopters to taking strangers half-way across the world for dates to finishing triathlons — they’ve truly done it all. This group of men live by their philosophy and constantly challenge themselves to ‘Seek Discomfort’ mentally, physically and spiritually.
The essence of the philosophy is that growth only occurs with difficulty. In the gym, the muscle fibers only tear and repair when you push yourself to your limits. You perform best in exams when you subject yourself to difficult, intellectually stimulating challenges. You grow more socially confident when you subject yourself to awkward, uncomfortable experiences over and over again.
For me, ‘Seek Discomfort’ reminds me that pain can be a positive.
I look forward to those uncomfortable moments — wether that be in the gym, on a run, doing a presentation or learning new skills — as i know that’s where growth occurs.
They are the moments where i’m making the most progress.
Trying seeking discomfort yourself, bear witness to the difference it makes.
Closing Thoughts
Regardless of who are you a shift in perspective is refreshing. Understanding the world through a new lens can change the very dynamic with which you approach life. To welcome different perspectives is to be open to change and with that comes the ability to grow, adapt and overcome.
Mindsets can be absorbed from external sources or created within. While I strive to develop my own, unique, original mindset, i also understand that those much wiser, and more experienced, than myself can impart useful mindset shifts.
Of the myriad of mindsets published across literary works, the internet and beyond, my favourites are Mission Statements, Sphere of Control and Seek Discomfort.
Try welcoming these ways of looking at the world. See what difference they make, let me know how it goes.
As Always,
Yours Honestly,
Liam Lawson.
