See 5 Ways To Reset Your Mindset To Step Into A Positive Year

by | Jan 19, 2023 | Mental Health

Our mindset can determine how we feel about ourselves and the world around us. It is what shapes our perspective and how we approach life.

The two main concepts that have been popularised over the years are the growth mindset and the fixed. These concepts were coined by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck in 2006, who proposed that there are two ways of thinking that will determine our outcomes, in a positive or negative way.

A fixed mindset is the belief that we are limited by our current abilities and that this cannot change – meaning, we just accept that we are who we are, and there’s no point trying to be anything else. A growth mindset, however, involves the belief that we are constantly learning and evolving, and that our options in life are not limited.

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There’s no doubt that having a growth mindset will lead to more positive outcomes from a psychological and well-being perspective. Growth is linked to higher levels of resilience, self-esteem and a greater likelihood of identifying new opportunities and experiences.

As we look towards 2023, here are 5 ways to reset your mindset, to step into a more positive 2023.
Examine your self-talk.

Consider how much of your inner dialogue is negative and where you might be able to make some improvements. We tend to believe the story we tell ourselves, so if that narrative is negative, it is very difficult to believe otherwise. Notice when you might be using negative self-talk and replace it with a positive one. This habit takes some time to break, but once you do, the benefits are endless.

Focus on the experience, not the outcome.

The main goal of a growth mindset is to focus on the learning that comes out of the experience. If we are focussed on the outcome, we can miss out on opportunities for personal development along the way.

Get practised at failing.

There is so much to learn from our perceived failures, and this is where we grow the most. By allowing ourselves the room to make mistakes, to try and fail, we are leaning into the experience and practising the skill, rather than focussing on the outcome. This develops our resilience and helps us bounce back from any setbacks along the way.

Try new things.

By taking new risks and stepping out of our comfort zones, we are challenging our minds to be open to new possibilities. The more we do this, the easier it will become and we will find our comfort zone stretching further than we might have imagined.

Shift your perspective.

If something unexpected or disappointing happens, try not to see it as a negative, but as an opportunity to learn from. It’s still okay to feel disappointed, but instead of beating yourself up, try to turn it into a realistic thought such as “I didn’t do as well as I had hoped this time, but next time will be better”. Avoid those negative beliefs that this was an expected outcome, because you weren’t good enough or that someone else was better, and reframe it as another step on your journey.

Putting in the effort to shift from a negative to a positive outlook and seeking opportunities for learning is a surefire way to transform your thinking and look forward to a brighter, more joyful 2023.

The article originally appeared on menshealth.com.au | Written by Nikolina Ilic

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