Mindset.

Do you have a big dream or goal for your life? Are you wondering how you’re going to get there or what could get in the way? Chances are, it’s your mindset.

There’s one common theme that underpins many theories about living your dream life: your mindset, beliefs and the way you think override everything.

Steph Purpura, Co-founder of Powerful U, is adamant that the most important area of personal development and growth, is ‘mindset’.

"Mindset is how you choose to approach any situation. When you have an open and positive mindset, you are able to see the possibilities in any situation. When you go in with a closed or negative mindset, you are severely limiting your experience to the most negative aspects of any given situation. Positivity opens the realm of possibilities, while negatively closes down".

The story we tell ourselves is the story our mind believes. Our perception creates our reality. Our beliefs create our outcome.

Therefore, the quickest way to live the life of your dreams is to shift your mindset. The question then becomes, how? How do you change your underlying beliefs and thought patterns?

1. Believe in Yourself

From “I’m not enough” to “I am awesome”

So much of what holds people back is the belief they have about themselves. And one of the most common beliefs? Feeling you’re not enough, not worthy, not deserving.

For whatever reason you feel you’re not enough, know this: You were born enough. You are awesome, worthy and deserving of love, happiness and success. You are uniquely you. That is your superpower. 

Make the Shift

Seek to understand and silence the inner critic. What are your underlying reasons for not feeling ‘enough?’ Is the inner critic your own voice, or that of a parent or authority figure? What story are you telling yourself that is not true?

2. Empower Yourself

From “I don’t have a choice” to “I always have a choice”

How many times have you felt trapped or that you didn’t have a choice? 

Make the Shift

Choose. When you find yourself in a situation where you feel you have no choice, identify your options. What choices do you have? You can choose to complain or act. Choose to change or accept your circumstances. Choose to take one step forward or stay stuck. Choose to speak up or stay quiet. Choose to look forward or continue to look back. Choose love or stay in anger and fear. So, what do you choose?

Identify what you are in control of. A lot of stress, frustration, fear and anger comes when things are – or feel – out of our control. When you feel out of control, take a step back and identify what you can control. This could be one small item or a shift in your energy or attitude.

3. Believe in What Is Possible

From “It is impossible” to “It is possible”

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right". – Henry Ford

If you don’t wholeheartedly believe you can achieve something, it just won’t happen. Therefore, if you want to live your dream life, you first must believe that’s possible. 

Make the Shift

Change your language. Shift your thinking from There’s no way to There’s always a way. From It doesn’t work to How can we make this work? When you find yourself finding problems, switch to a solution mindset. 

Edison is famously quoted, “I learned 10,000 ways not to invent a lightbulb.” He saw each failure as a step closer to his end goal.