In Winning Edge’s Take Another Step System, an inspirational leadership workshop, we pay particular attention to the notion of mindset.
What is a mindset?
A mindset is a particular way of thinking, a person’s attitude or set of opinions about something, or a frame of mind which leads an individual to a particular set of associations, expectations, and behaviors.
We have 3 key points to discuss:
- What is a growth mindset?
- What is a fixed mindset?
- Where are you?
1. What is a growth mindset?
Are you growing or are you stagnant? Having a growth mindset means that intelligence can be cultivated, regardless of our IQ. A growth mindset sees opportunities instead of problems, learns instead of fails, and adapts to reach a goal or solve a problem. A leader with a growth mindset embraces new paradigms, new disciplines, and new challenges. With a mindset focused on growth, we can pursue excellence and leave mediocrity behind, enabling ourselves and everyone around us to take another step.
2. What is a fixed mindset?
Are you falling behind, or are you growing? Those with a fixed mindset see limitations in their capabilities, their intelligence, and their opportunities. Someone with a fixed mindset will tend to hide mistakes and avoid challenges, for fear of revealing weaknesses. People trapped inside a fixed mindset will stop short of pursuing their dreams. This mindset can also give one a false sense of security. With a fixed mindset, we cannot be the best version of ourselves, nor can we help others around us take another step.
3. Where are you?
Do you have a fixed or growth mindset? Champions are self-aware. In my years of winning, failing, and learning, I have grown to have a better understanding of myself, and my own strengths and weaknesses. An article from Forbes Magazine stated that 90% of top performers are highly self-aware, compared to the bottom fifth of performers, who lack this perspective. Where are you? (A mindset test is located at www.findyourwinningedge.com, then go to resources, then toolkit, and then take the mindset test.)
Once we become conscious of our own mindset, we will see with a broader perspective, be better able to adjust, and be fully prepared for ourselves and those around us to take another step.
I know from my personal experience that I had a fixed mindset in the intellectual side of my life until I stopped playing football in college. When I made the mindset shift from fixed to growth, that is when my world changed around me.
Hear this loud and clear: My world did not change, just my perspective of it changed! Now, I can grow through it, no matter what the circumstances!
I encourage you today to take a look at your mindset.
