Mindset Matters – Winning Self Talks
Prefer to listen to this article?
So, what is all this mindset talk anyway?
You’ve probably read and heard plenty about mindfulness and mindset, but you might be confused about the differences between the two. So, let’s take a moment to clear things up.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment.
Mindset is the idea that what we think IS our “reality”.
In her 2006 groundbreaking work, Mindset, The New Psychology of Success, researcher Dr. Carol Dweck writes, “mindsets frame a running account of what’s taking place in your head”.
Like looping movie trailers in our heads, we all have habitual thoughts. Mine are likely different than yours, but there are definitely recurrent themes. Those things we think about ourselves and believe are possible, the things we think we can and can’t do, should and shouldn’t do, how we see ourselves, and how we believe others see us – these make up our mindset.
But, no matter what goal we are trying to achieve…We have to dig inside our own heads and hearts to find success.
There are multiple ways to achieve our goals, fitness included. Yet, each of us has a personal path and we get to make our own choices along the way. The approach may be personal, but it starts with a firm foundation of desire and healthy self-talk.
The foundation for achieving your goals begins with what you tell yourself – your mindset. Our thoughts really do lead the way. That’s why mindset is critical to success. Nothing drives this point home better than this clip from Will Smith’s movie “The Pursuit of Happyness”.
What you tell yourself is important to your success.
Deep down, what we believe has a tremendous impact on what we do. When you believe you deserve something better – like Will Smith – you go after it with consistency and dedication. But, when you do not believe you deserve a better life, you are primed for self-sabotage.
So, let me ask you…
- Do you believe you deserve the change you desire?
- Do you let others (or yourself) tell you that you can’t do something?
- Do you have a community to support you as you change?
A Mindset of Resistance
For many of us, the change we desire can seem impossible. It’s a constant struggle that raises uncomfortable feelings about ourselves. These feelings are known as resistance. As demonstrated in the clip, resistance creates discouragement and confusion that can be overwhelming.
One fellow mindset coach, Deb Silber exclaims, ” change is scary, it means leaving the comfortable and familiar even when the comfortable and familiar stinks”. She states, ” you either face the death of what you want or the death of who you’ve been”.
The stress of implementing a change can leave us at a crossroads where we may sabotage our own success without even realizing it. That’s why it is so important to examine our thinking (our mindset) so we can push through resistance – one decision at a time.
Time
Sustainable change takes time. Laying down new habits (mental and physical) takes time too. Gretchen Rubin, the author of Better Than Before, affirms, “habits are the behaviors I want to follow forever, without decisions, without debate, no stopping, no finish lines.” This shift in mindset makes living FIT FOREVER a daily process, not a destination. No race, no finish line, just realistic daily actions that get easier over time.
Possibilities
The way you think about what’s possible (your mindset) sets the foundation for achieving your goals and making the changes you desire. The point is simple. The nature of our thoughts directly affect the outcomes in our lives.
I encourage you to take some time to examine your thinking. Ask yourself the questions I’ve shared above…and see what you discover about your mindset. For additional insight, check out 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do
Community
Do you have a community to support your healthy lifestyle? A safe place to learn, talk out loud, to grow? Do you have a desire to connect with like-minded people who are changing the way they think about what’s possible?
We invite you to join us in our free FIT ME FOREVER Facebook group, click below…
Join us in The OMNI FIT Facebook Community
Fit Me Forever
Ask questions, get answers, and stay connected with people who share your fitness goals.
