One of the hardest things I've ever had to do has been change my mindset. However, as I discussed in last week's article, it has been the single most important change I've made in my healing journey.
So, how did I do it? I won't lie, it wasn't easy nor is it a quick fix. I've actually cultivated a three-step process that I'm constantly using to keep my mindset a good space for me to be in.
Before we dive into the three steps, I want to present a few different mindsets to you based on my own head (sorry for any overwhelm you may experience in the next few minutes 😅). I challenge you to find yourself in one of these mindsets. It may help later on...
The Scenario
Imagine you're in the car on your way to work. You have 1,000,001 things to do as always and have been struggling to feel accomplished in doing anything, which has been putting a damper on your self-esteem...
Mindset #1
"Okay today I have to plan for the week, grade the last 5 assignments my students have done, teach, go to 3 meetings, teach chorus after school, and write a blog post. Ugh I'm never going to get this all done. No matter how hard I try, I can never seem to put a dent in all my work. The grading keeps piling up, my plans could definitely be better... I'm not doing well as a teacher and I'm not getting anything done at home. I'm just stuck on a hamster wheel and there's NO exiting...
Mindset #2
"Okay today I have to plan for the week, grade the last 5 assignments my students have done, teach, go to 3 meetings, teach chorus after school, and write a blog post. Ugh I'm never going to get this all done... Hold on- this thought pattern isn't helping anyone, especially me! I'll just do my best and get there...
Mindset #3
Okay today I have to plan for the week, grade the last 5 assignments my students have done, teach, go to 3 meetings, teach chorus after school, and write a blog post. Wow, that's a lot to do, but it's okay. My schedule and productivity aren't what make me valuable and I know I'll put my best effort in regardless of the task.
Got one that resonates? Good! Let's dive into the three steps to mindset shifts that stick and see where your mindset lies...
Step #1 Awareness
Awareness is SUCH a crucial step in so many of our important processes, especially when it comes to healing. It's your gateway to making any change you want to see in your life and is the difference between Mindset #1 & Mindset #2. When you don't have an awareness of what's going on in your life, the negative patterns you've created are allowed to just keep going.
It gets better when you have awareness, as you can see with Mindset #2! With awareness, you're able to recognize what patterns aren't serving you and work to guide those patterns towards something more beneficial for you. However, it's not quite enough to just be aware of these patterns...
Step #2 Apply
Once you're aware of what's going on in your mind, it's time to make a plan and apply it!
When you're creating a plan, be sure to keep it simple as it's something you're going to have to work at CONSTANTLY... Like morning noon and night. For example, when my mind was running rampant like in Mindset #1 & Mindset #2, I dug to the root of my issue, which was (and still is...) tying my value to my productivity, and sought to meet that thinking with kindness and non-judgement any time I was able to recognize it.
Slowly but surely, you'll have some data on how your plan has affected your mindset. Then, you know it's time for...
Step #3 Analyze
... a deep dive into how your mindset has changed. Are you noticing some changes? In a positive or negative way? Are there any changes happening at all? Take the time to really look inward here to decide what's working, what's not, and what's next.
Of course you won't be successful every time along this journey. There are going to be times that the negative thoughts win regardless if you were able to follow your plan or not. Don't judge yourself harshly for these moments as you're only human and you're learning- we all are! Instead, use these moments as data to incorporate into your new and improved plan.
There you have it- The Three A's of Mindset Change! Take what works for you, leave what doesn't, and- most importantly- use this tool to change your life ✨
