4 Tips to Transform Your Mindset and Set Yourself Up for Success
Everyone’s mindsets are different, as they are heavily influenced by our environments and the people we associate with. A lot of us may have self-limiting mindsets that prevent us from being more efficient and successful. But you’re more capable than you think!
Mindsets and beliefs get picked up no matter where you turn, but it’s ultimately up to you to decide what you want to believe. Transforming your beliefs can be a b.i.t.c.h, but there are many practices you can utilize to help you shift your mindset and set yourself up for success!
Maintain the Basics
Maintaining the basics is the most underrated, yet, arguably the most effective way to transform your mindset. The basics I’m referring to are things like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and hydration.
Sleep: Make sure you are getting enough sleep each night. That sleep should be quality sleep that allows you to wake up the next day feeling rested.
Nutrition: Make sure you are eating enough (but not too much) throughout the day. Your diet should consist of balanced meals that make you feel satisfied and energized.
Exercise: Make sure you are active throughout the week and get some sort of movement each day. You don’t have to overcomplicate this if you aren’t a huge gym-goer - you can simply get your movement in by taking frequent walks or stretching.
Hydration: Drink enough water every day throughout the day. Carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go can keep you on track and encourage you to drink more.
These may seem very simple, but let’s be basic before we can be extra with our self-care routines!
2. Practice Mindfulness
What the hell is mindfulness anyway? It’s all about slowing down and being in the present moment. Doing this on a regular basis is a significant way to transform your mindset. When you’re aware of what's going on around you, it will help to reduce daily stresses and anxieties.
I’m sure you’ve heard of meditation being a main technique for practicing mindfulness. Doing breathing exercises or guided meditations can help reduce stress and relax your mind and body. The purpose is to center yourself and acknowledge your thoughts without judgment, then let them pass. Consistently meditating for even just 5-10 minutes a day has proven to have many benefits, and can positively impact your mindset tremendously.
Yes, the benefits of mediation are endless, but if you aren’t ready to jump into that, there are tons of other ways to practice mindfulness as you go about your day. Simply being more aware and conscious of your surroundings is a form of mindfulness. Instead of looking at your phone while you’re walking down the street, put your phone away and take in the sights, smells, sounds, and feelings around you - whether that’s feeling how the sun feels on your face, the sound of the cars or people going by you, or the smell of the outdoors.
This is the simplest way to practice mindfulness, yet is greatly overlooked by most of us because we are used to fast-paced, technology-heavy days. Spending more time appreciating our environments and the little joys in life is a major way to transform your mindset.
3. Up Your Self-Care
Incorporating self-care techniques into your daily routine is essential for a successful and positive mindset. Try to integrate some mental and physical techniques that coincide with what tends to hold you back or stress you out on a daily basis.
If you feel tired and sluggish from sitting at a desk all day, maybe try getting a standing desk or set alarms every hour to stand up and take a 5 minute walk outside to refresh yourself. If you have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep at night, try a short meditation while you lay in bed or read a book instead of scrolling on social media. Even having a hygienic pre-bed routine can make a huge impact on your sleep quality. Try being consistent with your nighttime personal care, that includes things like brushing your teeth, having a skincare routine, and drinking plenty of water before going to sleep.
Whatever self-care methods you decide to incorporate into your day, make sure they help you feel less stressed and re-energized mentally and physically.
4. Rewrite the Belief
If you have self-limiting beliefs that may be stopping you from being the best version of yourself, it is important to identify those specific beliefs and rewrite them.
The first step is to identify these thoughts and beliefs that may be holding you back. Maybe you think you don’t have time to do something or maybe you deem “resting” as lazy. Whatever your belief may be, write it down.
Then identify where that belief or thought is coming from. Did you adopt that belief from your family? Did you hear it on social media? Figuring out exactly where or who it came from is extremely important.
Then, think, do you actually believe that? How much do you believe or not believe it? You may realize you 100% subscribe to that belief, partially subscribe to that belief, or you may realize it’s not your belief at all - maybe you were heavily influenced by someone else in the moment.
Lastly, rewrite that belief. Write exactly what you believe or what you WANT to believe. Keep this belief written down somewhere you can see or revisit it every day. Use it as a reminder whenever you feel yourself slipping from your belief. This is how you create a new mindset that works for you.
Finding ways to transform your mindset is important to fit your personal lifestyle and priorities. Everyone is different, but no matter what your mindset is, there are always ways to improve in order to set yourself up for success. Start with the basics, practice mindfulness, nurture yourself through self-care, and rewrite your beliefs to fit your mindset and who you are striving to be. You have to do the work, but these techniques will help you start on the right track!
