There are so many types of mindsets, but for this exercise we’re going to focus on one simple change that can move you out of a fixed mindset into a growth mindset.
But first, what’s a fixed and growth mindset?
Fixed Mindset
You believe that the qualities you possess are fixed traits. You believe there’s no changing them. You believe that what you’re dealt with is what you’ll always deal with. With a fixed mindset, life is limited. You’re living a “fixed” way and the way you view your circumstances doesn’t offer room for improvement.
Growth Mindset
You believe that the qualities you possess can change, develop and/or be improved. You believe that what you’re dealt with isn’t set in stone. With a growth mindset you’re open to an unlimited set of circumstances. You live a more “open” life, with room to make different choices and there’s endless possibilities to grow and improve.
What’s the change we are working on?
It’s replacing adjectives that have fixed traits (always, never, can’t, won’t) with adjectives and phrases that aren’t limiting, or that aren’t jumping to conclusions.
Changing the way you think of specific situations will ultimately help you change the way you live. In this case, let’s change the way you think of life with your gut condition so that you can decide how to live with it, instead of your gut ruling how you live.
Traits, labels, beliefs, and tough challenges are all triggers in forming fixed beliefs (aka a fixed mindset). If you believe you can’t do something, or that circumstances will forever be the same, and you use language that upholds and maintains these views, then it can be extremely difficult to make changes (grow). On the flip side, if you believe that circumstances have the ability to change, or that what you went through in the past isn’t a determinant in what the future holds, then you can slowly shift the way you perceive something for the better with opportunity to grow (growth mindset).
Examples of Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
Let’s look at some examples of fixed vs. growth mindsets when it comes to the mindset of living with a gut condition. As you’ll see, we’re doing very small shifts with these examples, they aren’t extremes.
The key is to start small, be realistic. The goal is to make improvements over the old thought patterns and beliefs.
Fixed mindset: I would never be able to go on a whale watching tour if there wasn’t a bathroom on board.
Growth mindset: I’m finding it really hard to imagine going on a whale watching tour if there wasn’t a bathroom on board.
The difference between the two? With the fixed mindset, you’ve declared that you would never be able to go on it. 'Never' is a pretty definitive word. With the growth mindset, you’re not declaring anything. You’re sharing that you find the idea hard to imagine, but you aren’t making the decision that you’ll never go.
Fixed mindset: I always miss out on fun activities.
Growth mindset: In the past, I’ve missed out on fun activities, but that doesn’t mean I’ll miss the next activity.
The difference between the two? With the fixed mindset you’re declaring that you always miss out on fun activities. By declaring this, you’ve subconsciously made the choice in your head that this happens all the time. With the growth mindset you aren’t making any future decisions. You’re stating the fact that you’ve missed out on fun activities in the past, but it doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily miss out on them in the future.
Fixed mindset: The idea of taking public transportation always makes me super anxious
Growth mindset: I’m currently working through the anxieties I have around taking public transportation
The difference between the two? With the fixed mindset you’re stating that public transportation makes you anxious. With this belief, you’ll definitely feel anxious the next time you step on that bus. You’ve already declared it. With the growth mindset, you aren’t stating that the anxiety is something you always feel. You’re stating that it’s something you’re working through. With this mindset, there is potential to eventually not feel anxious. It’s opening your mind up to realizing that you’re working on dealing with the anxiety and making changes (but remember, you actually have to do the work (whether it be seeking professional support or working on self-help exercises).
OKAY! Now it's your turn to try changing the way you think of certain situations and circumstances. Download the Shifting from a Fixed to Growth Mindset Worksheet to work through some of your own personal beliefs. If you have questions as you go through it, send me an email or message me on Instagram! I’d be happy to help!
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