I read you don’t need a new year or a new day to start over. A new mindset is what you need. How many times have we made resolutions for the new year only to forget about them after six weeks? Experts agree resolutions are not sustainable.
I am a firm believer in growth and improvement. People can change but choose otherwise. One reason for not improving their current state is that they are happy the way they are, and a deviation from a contented life is ungrateful. The mindset of “If ain’t broken, why fix it?” is another reason.” I don’t know how to respond to that.
But if you are someone who knows she can be better, not because she is not content or something is amiss in her life, this post might push her in that direction.
What is Mindset?
I heard the term mindset in a business meeting. You need to change your mindset to succeed in the business. Maybe I didn’t understand the concept of changing my mindset because I didn’t have the right mindset. The term left a negative impression.
My brain is no longer partial to the word after I encountered it again in 2020. I know that how I view myself affects my behavior and outlook on life. Your behavior is that of a lazy and incompetent person if you label yourself lazy and incompetent. If you think you are hard-working, your actions will back that up. The American Psychological Association defines mindset as a state of mind that influences how people think about and then enact their goal-directed activities in ways that may systematically promote or interfere with optimal functioning.
Dr. Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, talks about this in her book, Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfill your Potential. She describes two kinds of mindsets: a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. From the two descriptive terms, growth and fixed, you can get a sense of which mindset has a better chance of fulfilling one’s potential and changing their life.
In the fixed mindset, everything is about the outcome. If you fail—or if you’re not the best—it’s all been wasted. The growth mindset allows people to value what they’re doing regardless of the outcome. They’re tackling problems, charting new courses, working on important issues. Maybe they haven’t found the cure for cancer, but the search was deeply meaningful.
Dr. carol Dweck
Why We Need a New Mindset?
Growing old does not mean growing up. I’m older than you, but you may be more grown-up. Someone who is older but immature is the saddest person to be with. I am sure you know people like that. They are stuck in their old mindset and refuse to change.
It is necessary to upgrade our thinking when we start a new season. Change is hard. I regret the consequences of the number of times I insisted on my old ways. I need a new mindset to change my behavior and thoughts. But why?
- A new mindset opens the doors to new opportunities. “Every time I encourage my children to try new things, I always tell them to try it first. We wouldn’t accept invitations from friends and colleagues at the beginning. We give excuses not to join that bible study, meet other people, attend a workshop, start a fitness routine together, etc. because new things make us uncomfortable. You know what? You aren’t saying yes to the person who invited you when you say yes to trying something new. But you are saying yes to yourself, “Yes, I’ll try it and see where it goes.”
- A new mindset pushes for growth. We need more change in our lives. Someone said that when you stop growing, you will die.’ That’s true. Look at your houseplants. Unless it is a prickly cactus, it will die if you stop nurturing its growth. But you are not a cactus, right? Go for growth, whatever that means for you.
- A new mindset heals relationships. God created us to be relational beings. We first relate to Him and with others. However, sin (pride) destroys relationships. We don’t want to forgive or seek forgiveness. Embracing a new mindset calls us to be humble and extend forgiveness. Even if we think we are the victim, we can change it to a victor mindset. Of course, this is not overnight. It would take time to process the pain and the emotions, but if you want emotional healing, you start where you are today.
How I Created a New Mindset for the New Year
It is possible to change and adapt to a new way of thinking. Authors and speakers talk about creating a new mindset in many articles, books, and videos. I want to tell you how I got out of that place. The same God who pulled me out of the dark place was the one I avoided for months.
First, I acknowledged I was wallowing in self-doubt and self-pity. I drowned in misery because I did not achieve the goals I set for 2022, and I envied those who seemed to have accomplished a lot. I was angry, too. Even if God knew about it, I had to confess my guilt.
Second, I filtered what I feed my mind. Group chats that triggered my emotions caused me to leave some groups. I stopped following some of the key people in the business and removed their podcasts from my list. Then, I added new podcasters who promote health and well-being. I deleted blog subscriptions that crowd my email.
Third, I kept my self-help books and went back to reading more bible-based books. And I had an epiphany when I started rereading Lisa Bevere’s book, Without Rival. I was fighting back the tears because I could feel God speaking to me through Lisa’s words. I returned to my Bible study group with much gusto and tuned in to my old-time favorite podcasts.
Fourth, I returned to God. He had to remind me who I am and that whose I am. I lost touch with the Lord because of my doing. He was the last on my priority list and often decided without Him. The prayer and fasting week was a reassurance that God still loves me and He will support me as long as I am faithful to His calling for me.
Fifth, I created a mind map for 2023. I want to keep these principles in place so I can better navigate the new year. Every time I am overwhelmed or start doubting myself, I will refer to this map to keep going.
How can a new mindset help you reach your goal for 2023 and change your life?
