Hi there,
When learning a new skill, we must make mistakes – and a lot of them. That’s the only way we gain the experiences necessary for important changes. As we travel along this learning curve, there are two attitudes we can adopt:
A performance mindset: “I want to get it right and come out on top.” In this case, we interpret mistakes as negatives since they represent performance failures.
A growth mindset: “I want to learn as much as I can from this experience.” In this case, we interpret mistakes as positives since they’re a necessary part of the learning process.
When it comes to long-term well-being, cultivating a growth mindset is most effective. It’s all about strategically and deliberately growing our brain tree so we can strengthen new neurological pathways, solidify cognitive skills, and foster loving social connections.
So how can we develop this growth mindset? Let’s check out last week’s sessions to find out.
🧠 Mindfulness Monday
According to Blaise Pascal, “all of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” To establish the roots of a growth mindset, we must try sitting with our thoughts and feelings, no matter how uncomfortable they may be. Overcoming these internal obstacles makes tackling the external ones much easier!
🔍 Attention Training Tuesday
Our 100 billion neurons couldn’t create connections if it wasn’t for myelination: the protective shielding surrounding axons, supporting the conduction of signals. (Think of this as the rubber sheathing coating electric wires for our brain cells!) Myelination is the neurological foundation that makes a growth mindset possible – both in our brains and in our everyday lives.
💪 Resilience Wednesday
“You try something, it doesn’t work, and maybe people even criticize you. In a fixed mindset, you say, ‘I tried this, it’s over.’ In a growth mindset, you look for what you’ve learned. You don’t know what your abilities are until you make a full commitment to developing them.”
– Carol Dweck, Stanford University
🙏 Thankfulness Thursday
To branch your growth mindset out into your relationships, here are four steps to be more grateful for someone special in your life. Be sure to fill in the brackets with your own answers!
1. I am grateful for [person] 2. …because [what they did]
3. I felt [positive sensation] 4. …because [needs that were met]
🏆 Practical Friday
Last week I had a cardiac MRI. While laying inside the tube – a claustrophobic setting that could potentially cause lots of anxiety – I managed to tap into several of the skills that we regularly put into practice during our daily positivity sessions like mindfulness, attentional control, and compassion. This is just one way a growth mindset can come in handy when facing everyday stressors!
Join 15 Minutes of Positivity today!
To switch from a fixed to a growth mindset, be sure to join our 15 Minutes of Positivity sessions every Monday - Friday at 12:00 PST. The best part is: it’s free! For more information or to sign up, click here. Just like always, if you have any questions or want to find out more, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Thank you for giving this a read! Good luck growing your brain tree this week.🌳