How a Growth Mindset Can Help You Adopt Healthy Habits

This fall I’ve been taking a deep dive into the Six Pillars of Health and Longevity, starting with “Just Eat Real Food!” (Get links to all the posts HERE.)   

But before we continue with additional strategies, let’s back up and look at the big picture, and what underpins successful implementation of any of these healthy habit changes.

And that is having a positive, optimistic, challenge-accepting, willing to grow and change, MINDSET.

Why is that?

The concept of Mindset, and whether one’s mindset is Fixed or Growth, was introduced by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, who said:

“After thirty years, my research has shown that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. It can determine whether you become the person you want to be and whether you accomplish the things you value.”

A Fixed Mindset means we believe that our skills, intelligence, general qualities, and talents are fixed traits and cannot be changed. This attitude can often result in resistance to learning or attempts to improve our skills.

A person with a fixed mindset might say “I believe that my [intelligence, personality, character, skills] is inherent and static. Locked-down or fixed. My potential is determined at birth. It doesn’t change.”

A Growth Mindset means we believe that our skills, talents and general qualities have the capacity to grow and can be improved by hard work and persistence. This mindset results in a positive attitude towards both learning and critical feedback. People with a growth mindset are also generally more open to trying new things.

A person with a growth mindset might say “I believe that my [intelligence, personality, character, habits] can be continually developed. My true potential is unknown and unknowable.”

A person with a growth mindset:

• Believes intelligence & talents can be developed
• Believes effort is a path to growth
• Believes mistakes are part of learning
• Views failure as an opportunity
• Believes failure is temporary
• Embraces challenges
• Is willing to be uncomfortable
• Welcomes feedback
• Is inspired by success of others

A person with a fixed mindset:

• Believes intelligence & talent are fixed
• Feels threatened by others success
• Believes failure defines who they are
• Views feedback as personal criticism
• Hides flaws
• Avoids challenges
• Avoids discomfort
• Ignores feedback
• Believes effort is fruitless

In other words, applying this to your goal of living a healthy and fulfilled life, what do you need to believe to experience a long and healthy life?  And what are your outdated beliefs that might be getting in the way, and that you would do well to let go of?

STRATEGIES TO DEVELOP A GROWTH MINDSET

Acknowledge & Embrace Your Weaknesses (& Strengths)

 Be honest with yourself about your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Ask your friends and family for feedback, as they can offer you a different point of view and give you a perspective on what to focus on. 

Create good habits around both your weaknesses and strengths. Take small steps every day that will help you move towards your goals.

View Challenges as Opportunities

 If you are afraid to take on a new challenge, then stop and reframe the situation in your mind in order to shift the perspective.

Consider new challenges as opportunities and new experiences that you can learn from and grow. Think of different ways you can approach the challenge and remember that fear is only natural.

Choose the Right Habits & Learning Strategies

 Everyone is different, so it is important that you choose strategies that are right for you and your current abilities.

If you are able to identify the best habits and learning strategies for you, then you can optimize the time needed to reach your end goal. The right level and intensity will also feel like you are making faster progress.

Focus on the process, not the end result.

 It is the journey that matters and it is important to enjoy it and make the most out of it. Think of all the unexpected lessons and experiences you may encounter during the way to your goal.

Fully engage and put effort in the process. Focusing on the process will improve the results you aim for.

Reward your efforts & actions

Acknowledge the small wins on a daily basis and be proud of them.

Share them with your family and friends.

Every effort and action you make is taking you closer to your goal.

Set realistic goals & timeframes

Be aware that change and achieving your goals takes time, sometimes a lot of time, there are no shortcuts.

It may take many different methods of learning or techniques until you are able to master a new skill or move swiftly towards your set goal. 

QUESTIONS TO ACTIVATE A GROWTH MINDSET

Take some time each day to reflect on your experience.  What went well?  Where might things have been different.  And ask yourself honestly:

• What can I learn from this?
• What steps can I take to help me succeed?
• What information can I gather? And from where?
• Where can I get support in implementing my plan?
• If I had a plan to be successful at [blank], what might it look like?
• When, where and how will I follow through on my plan?
• What habits must I develop to continue the gains I’ve achieved?

Bottom Line

No matter where we are right now in our health and longevity journey, by developing and applying a Growth Mindset we are more likely to incorporate healthy habits, and make positive choices, as we navigate our day to day experience.  Small habit changes implemented on a consistent basis will add up over time!