Mindset Power Tools

When it comes to working on our mindset, it's often not simply learning new things, but practicing to unlearn, remember who we truly are, and work through barriers we have. Everything we need is already within us.

We can't talk about mindset without bringing up...fear.

False⠀

Evidence⠀

Appearing⠀

Real⠀

Personally, much of the fear I experience is rooted in anxiety. The big unknown and all those little “what if’s”. ⠀

What if I fail?⠀

What if I look/sound stupid?⠀

What if I don’t like it?⠀

What if they don’t like me?⠀

What if I’m bad at it?⠀

What if...?⠀

What if you just tried your best?⠀

What if you said F it and just did the thing?⠀

“The master has failed more times than the beginner has tried.”⠀- Stephen McCranie

Anxiety and fear are very complex, and not always rational. Many times they feel uncontrollable because they sneak in and can present as physical reactions to our body. Such as, heart racing, intrusive thoughts, hands shaking, pacing, nausea, chest pressure, sweating, etc. I’m no stranger to anxiety and depression. But know that ignoring it won’t make those feelings go away. Usually, the feelings can actually multiply in its magnitude in our brain. ⠀

It is possible to practice and put in the work to personally develop, diminish and eliminate this fear or anxiety. I know how it feels, I know how it cripples. Which is why my mental health is a large motivator for me to push back and do everything I can to overcome, be the healthiest happiest version of me.⠀

Want to know what’s really on the other side of fear? Nothing. ⠀

It's less daunting when we realize that healing ourselves, one part at a time, isn't just going to magically cure everything you'll ever feel again. However, you'll gain experience, resiliency, wisdom. Because fear is an invisible barrier, if we can work to see it as just that...maybe we can see that the pathway has always been clear to the life we were each made for. And then this fear thing? It doesn’t have to seem so large or daunting anymore. ⠀

You were made for more. So will you: ⠀

Forget⠀

Everything⠀

And⠀

Run⠀

⠀

Or⠀

⠀

Face⠀

Everything⠀

And⠀

Rise

You can do anything you set your mind to, so bet on you! It's time to start believing in the life you are made for. Resilient minds aren't magically built overnight (although that would be nice, wouldn't it?). They are cultivated through practice.

Here are some Mindset Power Tools to use this month⠀

- The power of positivity and optimism | its a mindset and a choice⠀

- The ability to shift ǝʌı̣ʇɔǝdsɹǝd at any moment⠀

- Taking it all with a grain of salt, forming our own opinions, asking questions ⠀

- Finding power in controlling our reactions to the uncontrollable

- Setting boundaries and values that matter to YOU, and standing by them (you don’t owe anyone an explanation.)⠀

- Journaling thoughts and emotions to make sense of our feelings, goals, and desires⠀

- Morning routine | start your day feeling accomplished, calm, ready to go⠀

- Trust and listen to your gut and intuition | no one knows you better than you⠀

⠀

⠀What you think, you become. ⠀

⠀What you feel, you attract. ⠀

⠀What you imagine, you create. ⠀

— Buddha ⠀

⠀

It begins within you!

When you work on you, you reap the benefits. Another great way to build our mental strength and confidence is through the way we communicate. Not simply what we say, but how we listen, an awesome, yet, underrated skill.

When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know.

But if you listen, you may learn something new.

— Dalai Lama

⠀

With mindful listening, not only are we supporting and respecting the person we’re communicating with, but, we open our own minds to new perspectives, ideas, and, knowledge. That is one of the ways we learn and grow for our own selves! The better we feel, the more full our own cup is, the more abundantly we can share ourselves and pour into the cups of those we love!⠀

See below for a list of Listening Types (I pulled from my college notes, from some of my communication courses I took! Any other communication major friends here!?)⠀

Listening Types:⠀

• Discriminatory: distinguish between different words and meanings⠀

• Comprehensive: receiving and remembering messages to organize details⠀

• Appreciative: for enjoyment⠀

• Evaluative: judging the accuracy, honesty of the message⠀

• Active-empathic listening: focusing on another person’s feelings⠀

Individual Listening Styles:

• People centered: listening to communicate an interest and concern for other⠀

• Content centered: listening to understand facts and details of a message⠀

• Action centered: listening to get the point as easily as possible⠀

• Time centered: listening in the least amount of time possible ⠀

Fun stuff huh? As with all skills, it takes practice! But luckily, most people are ready with a story to tell if you’ve got a willing ear to listen. When we build our relationships, make others feel good, we also feel good. Therefore, building a more open, resilient mindset.⠀

The more you listen without judgement, the more freedom speakers have to find their own solutions to problems! You’re demonstrating your leadership skills by offering your full attention, which shows that you value other people. That deepens connections and mutual respect within that relationship, as you simultaneously learn more for your own personal/professional life about the people in your environment and life!