by Suellen | Meeting the Challenges, Success, Vision and Goals
Ok. So we’ve talked and talked. We’ve shared ways to increase your mindset – and not get stuck in a negative rut.
Now the question is: Is it worth it? All of that meditating on scripture. All of that changing routines, nutrition, exercise, and everything else we’ve discussed. Is it really worth all of that?
I would say, “Yes.” and a thousand times, “Yes!”
So what’s in it for you?
1.) This is the way to your Best Life.
, you’re going to be living your best life, the life you want to live, the one God has designed for you.
All of the hard work you put in and all of the activities you do in an attempt to grow your mindset are all about this one goal and guess what? They work. Pretty soon you’ll be saying hello to the life you know is God’s plan for you.
2.) You’ll have Improved Confidence
People with a positive, growth mindset are more confident than others. Working to change your mindset is going to improve your confidence from the start. As a Christian, you will realize that you are a child of God and He is with you every step of the way.
You will also appreciate the gifts He has given you, and you will have confidence in your ability to use those gifts.
3.) You’ll Experience Less Stress
Cultivating a growth mindset is going to decrease your stress levels and improve your resiliency. You will know that when things look tough, you can still work through your problems.
You’ll experience lower amounts of stress for the rest of your life. This will lead to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other negative effects of chronic stress. That leads to a longer life.
The benefits just cascade!
4.) You Will Lower Your Risk of Depression and Anxiety
Even if you suffer from depression or anxiety already, cultivating a growth mindset will help you move beyond it. Once you have worked on your mindset awhile, you’ll be less likely to experience depression or anxiety.
Everyone experiences crises from time to time. Yet even when these inevitable negative events happen, you’ll bounce back f faster than before.
5.) You’ll have Improved Relationships
One non-obvious benefit of changing your mindset is that it will improve your relationships. All of the other benefits combine to make you enjoy your friends and family more and make you a better person and a better friend.
The result is better relationships.
So there you have it. A short list of benefits from improving your mindset.
These are just a few of the benefits. The benefits of changing your mindset are innumerable and lifelong. These benefits are durable. They won’t disappear after a short while.
Once you’ve figured out how to do many of the things associated with growing your mindset, your life will continuously improve, and you’ll discover more blessings along the way.
by Suellen | Meeting the Challenges, Success, Vision and Goals
Do you want to try some new ways of cultivating a growth mindset?
These three activities are things you can try that will help you. Two can be done alone and one requires a partner. They’re all easy, free activities that will provide you with significant rewards.
1. Read Books on Mindset and Success
The number one book to read is the Bible. The Bible is filled with promises from God to help you along your journey. Psalm 139 is a great place to start. This whole psalm is about how special you are to God. How He has created gifts within you and plans for your days. Your faith rises when you think about the potential you have when God is directing and empowering your life.
Reading opens your mind and fosters growth. This is true for all forms of reading, from the humblest comic book to the greatest of the classics. Different types of books foster different kinds of growth, however; reading War and Peace won’t have the same effect as a book on growing roses.
Since you’re trying to cultivate a growth mindset, you want to read some books on the topic. You can also read books on success and personal development. Even books about famous people who failed on the way to success (such as Thomas Edison) are a good choice.
All of these will contribute to your mindset growth. Bonus: you can get most of these books for free from your local library (for print editions) or its app (for audiobook versions).
2. Role-Play Growth Mindset Scenarios
True confessions: I’m don’t like role playing so much, but some people really find this motivating, so here goes.
This one requires a partner, preferably someone who’s also working on their mindset so you can take turns being the one in the hot seat. You can do this either in person or via a video conferencing system.
Select some scenarios that are common obstacles to a growth mindset. Or some things you find difficult. You can find some online or make them up yourself. Examples include failing at a task or facing a performance review at work.
Take turns pretending the scenario is real and practice responding. This practice really helps some people.
3. Take a Break
You like this one. Right?
As counterintuitive as it sounds, taking a break may just be the reset you need. No brain can be “on” all the time. Take a break from whatever you’re doing – even 15 minutes will help – and relax or go do something fun.
Your break will not only put you in a better mood but turning off your conscious brain allows the unconscious brain to go to work. You might come back and suddenly find the answer you were looking for.
At least, you will be fresh and ready to tackle the problem again.
So be proactive. Challenge yourself with these and other activities to expand your mind.
You have a better future than you can imagine – as you continue to expand and grow your mindset.
P.S. You and Your clients will grow your faith with this PLR package. How to Grow Your faith
by Suellen | Meeting the Challenges, Success
Let’s clear something up right now! When we talk about Growth Mindset, we aren’t talking about perfectionism. In fact, tryingto be perfect can hinder your mindset.
Read on and I’ll explain.
There is a difference between excellence and perfection. You will never be perfect. Nobody is! However, you can strive for excellence!
Some mistakenly think that cultivating a growth mindset is a form of perfectionism. That’s not true. Growing your mindset is about improving and achieving excellence, not perfection. We aren’t perfect and we never will be!
There is another misconception. It says that, even if perfectionism isn’t part of a growth mindset, being a perfectionist is an aid to achieving a growth mindset. To this I would say, “No! No! No!’ Perfectionism actually works against achieving a growth mindset.
It’s a problem, and let me show you how.
Perfectionism is Compulsive
Again, no one is perfect, and no one can become so. Perfectionists not only deny this essential facet of the human experience, but they continuously try to disprove it. The desire to reach beyond the boundaries of the good into the realm of the perfect isn’t just a desire for them -it exceeds that and becomes a compulsion. T
his is a legitimate mental illness that often needs professional help to overcome. Even when it’s not that severe, compulsions aren’t compatible with a growth mindset.
Perfectionism Doesn’t Mean Growth
Not only are they different, these two are almost opposite one another. Perfectionism is about achieving a single goal of perfection and staying there. That’s impossible.
Growth, on the other hand, is about constantly growing and changing and trying to improve. They aren’t the same thing.
Perfectionism Is Driven by Fear
The driving force behind perfectionism isn’t a desire to improve oneself or to do better, much less to grow. The driving force behind it is fear, usually fear of failure.
This is unhealthy and can lead to serious issues such as burnout, stress, and depression. It can even result in the failure the perfectionist fears so much.
Perfectionism is Often Counterproductive
People who are perfectionists tend to believe that doubling down on the things that have worked in the past -working more hours, getting more credentials, etc. -is the surefire way to future success. This sometimes works -for a while. But eventually, it stops, because the rules of success change at different levels, and the end result is depression, anxiety, and burnout.
Is there any hope for a perfectionist? Yes.
Relax. Realize that no one – including you – is perfect.
Take a deep breath and think of some small changes you would like to make. As you love yourself and others while you love your work, you’ll accomplish more than you thought you could.
And let me say it again, “relax!”
Add prayer to your mission and share this Done-For-You Package with your clients. Releasing the Power of Prayer
by Suellen | Meeting the Challenges, Success, Vision and Goals
April had decided to go for the challenge to grow her mindset. As was often the case, she read the posts and dove into the work necessary to grow in her ability to see herself doing extraordinary things. She truly wanted to change her mindset.
Well, along came her family reunion. It was fun seeing everyone. They reminisced and laughed about some foolish past episodes. It was a wonderful time, and April was glad that she had put in the effort to go.
Yet there was an unexpected downside. When April got home, she fell into her old routine. Old habits. Old mindset.
When you are working through a challenge – especially about your mindset and your thought processes, it’s easy to slip back at such moments. You lose your momentum, and often there’s the “oh what does it matter?” danger.
But you want to do this, so here are three tips for getting a reboot on your journey.
There are several things you can do to start the process quickly. A few of them are outlined below. Be warned, though, that these aren’t for the faint of heart.
They’re also risky, in that if they are too ambitious, they can backfire and set you back. Know yourself and your probable reaction well before attempting any of these kickstarts!
1.) Volunteer for something new
New experiences and tasks are one of the things most likely to help change your mindset. Instead of starting small, you can go big, and one of those ways is by volunteering to do something new at home or work. It can be anything from a project committee at work to joining the school PTA to coaching your son’s soccer team.
There’s only one requirement: it must involve a commitment, so you can’t just back out when you have time to reconsider.
2.) Try something you normally wouldn’t consider
This means trying something way outside your comfort zone. Do you have set food preferences? Try the strangest dish on the menu. Are you a homebody? Call a friend and schedule an outing at a museum or concert.
Again, it can be big or small, but it needs to be something that involves a commitment so you’re not likely to back out. It also needs to involve something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.
3.) Do something daring
You have a bucket list. Everyone does, even if it’s not written down. What are the things you most want to do that seem out of the norm. Pick one and do it. Or commit to doing it.
Do you want to go back to school to change careers? Apply to the school.
Do you want to travel to India? Book the trip. (Or buy some books about it).
Do you want to write a book? Sit down and begin your outline. Who, What, and Why do you want to write? This one can really jumpstart a whole new chapter in your life!
This is the riskiest but most rewarding of the three options. It can make or break your attempt to change your mindset.
But if it works, the benefits will be spending the rest of your life having done something important to you. You’ll have the adventure of a lifetime -and a new growth mindset to boot
Help yourself and your Clients Overcome Limiting Beliefs
by Suellen | Meeting the Challenges, Success, Vision and Goals
We say change your mind and change your life. Let’s face it: It takes hard work!
Changing your mindset is one of the hardest things you can do. There are going to be ups and downs along the way. You’re going to run headfirst into challenges. You’re going to fall down. You’re going to fail.
Uh oh! Let’s get real – you need help.
That’s why you don’t want to do this alone. You’re going to need support from other people. Humans are social creatures, after all, and we depend on our social networks to keep us going and get us through hard times.
How do you find support? Many people who have changed to a more productive mindset have left some clues about finding help from others.
1.) Join a support group
These go by many names and can be focused on growth mindset work alone or personal development in general. Most of them are free or only cost a small fee. There are both in-person and online groups. You’re bound to find one that fits you if you look.
There are Meetups or groups in local business organizations. You can also check out Facebook groups.
These groups will give you a place to get advice or just a place to vent when you need it! If you choose the right group, the people are working through the same issues you are.
2.) Surround yourself with positive people
You are a reflection of the people closest to you. Make sure those people closest to you are positive people. Try to do this in both your personal and your work life. This will help you stay positive in the good times and help lift you up when times get bad.
3.) Alter or end toxic relationships
I’m not talking about getting a divorce or quitting your job. But there are some friends who aren’t good for you. If you find yourself in a toxic relationship (of any sort from romantic to work) do your best to turn it into a positive one. Don’t allow their negativity to influence you.
There may be some friends which you will see less often. That’s ok. Pray for them,
Finally, don’t let anyone cause you to feel depressed or “less than.” If there is someone in your life who says negative things about you, learn to shake those things off. Don’t drink the poison.
Forgive them and know that God sees you differently.
4.) Find a Life Coach.
Sometimes we all need a little one-on-one help to overcome our issues or figure out how to get around an obstacle. There’s no shame in seeking help. In fact, being willing to ask for help is one of the characteristics of a growth mindset.
So, if you need to, seek out someone who can help you. The rewards will be more than worth the time, money, and effort.
by Suellen | Meeting the Challenges, Success, Vision and Goals
Let’s look at a different form of meditation from what most people think. Let’s look at Christian meditation. Meditating on words God has given you for your journey.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the Law (the Bible) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you will be careful to do all that is written in it, for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have success.
Stop and think about this passage and think about what was going on.
The Israelites had been supernaturally delivered from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. Then they faltered, doubting God could take them into the Land He had promised, so they spent another 40 years wandering around in the wilderness.
The generation of doubters had died, and Joshua was leading the group now. They were getting ready to go into the promised land and take it, and they needed all the faith they could muster. They also needed for God to be with them – accomplishing supernatural things for them.
That’s when Joshua was told to keep his eyes on God’s Word. To meditate on it day and night. And to speak it.
That’s the true meditation God has ordained for us as Christians. He wants us to move forward with His blessings on our lives. As we keep His Word before us, our faith rises and our focus stays on our mission.
My husband has a novel teaching about this. One of the meanings of the word “meditate” is to guard as a lion does its prey. My husband says that we are to guard over the word God gives us in that way. Hovering over it, and looking for anything which would try to steal that word from us. It’s our word and no one can snatch it from us!
So what do I suggest?
Take your Bible and get in a quiet spot. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you words for your meditation. When He gives you special words, those are more significant to you than any other.
For starters, if you are Seeking Word about Your prosperity:
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NASB) But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you the power to make wealth that His covenant may be established.
II Corinthians 9:8 (NASB) And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
Or Maybe it’s Your Children:
Deuteronomy 28:4 (NASB) Blessed shall be the offspring of your body.
Isaiah 54:13 (NASB) All of your sons (children) will be taught of the Lord; and the well-being of your sons will be great.
Or Your Health:
Exodus 15:26 (ASV) I am the God who heals you
Psalm 103:3 (NASB) He pardons all our iniquities and heals all our diseases.
These scriptures are just starting points. Get your Bible and sit with God in a quiet state. Think about His goodness and His love for you. Then ask Him to bring you word to meditate on.
Think about the Word you’ve chosen. Say it over and over out loud. Then think about it even as you ngo about your day. Allow God to build on that Word. This will increase your faith in what you are doing and your faith in God prospering you.
Meditating on the Word of God will change your life.
