As a mindset coach, I’m always baffled that the power of mindset isn’t a required class in school. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re not reaching your full potential, the truth is, your mind is likely working against you, not for you. But what if you could change that?
When you get your mind working for you, your whole life changes right before your eyes. This isn’t a quick fix; it’s a profound internal shift that affects everything you do, from your career to your relationships and your sense of self-worth. It’s the single most powerful tool you have to change your reality.
I’ve compiled 20 of my favorite mindset tips and techniques for you to take away and start implementing today.
Redefining Success and Failure
True growth begins when you change how you view setbacks and define what “success” actually means. These mindset shifts help you transform perceived failures into powerful foundations for future achievements.
- No such thing as a bad decision. Often, the decisions we deem as “bad” in the moment become the stepping stones to greatness. It’s only when you can eventually “join the dots backward” that you see the full picture. Every choice is simply a step on your journey, not an endpoint.
- No such thing as failure. There is only learning. Every so-called “failing” can be the absolute foundation for sky-rocketing breakthroughs. The most successful people didn’t succeed because they never failed; they succeeded because they never gave up after a failure. When life feels really difficult, remember it’s not the final chapter yet!
- Embrace a growth mindset. We are all just figuring things out—in life, in business, and in parenting. You don’t need to be a know-it-all to be great; you can never know it all! Instead, live with a “work in progress” vibe, always leaning in to learn. Your abilities aren’t fixed; they can be developed over time.
- Forgive yourself. When you look at past decisions with the perspective of hindsight—what I call “kindsight”—you might think, “What on earth was I thinking?” You must always forgive yourself for what you didn’t know then that you know now. It’s an act of compassion that frees you from a heavy, unnecessary burden.
- Success is defined by you. Stop letting external metrics dictate your happiness. Your vision of success is unique, and it’s valid. Keep tapping into what a successful life looks and feels like for you, and stay focused on that vision. It’s the only one that truly matters.
Building Resilience and Inner Strength
Life is full of challenges, but your ability to navigate them comes from an unshakeable belief in your own strength. These tips will help you build the mental fortitude to handle anything.
- Trust that you can cope. Never give yourself a hard time. Whatever struggles you have, operate from a place of trust and compassion that you have the strength, that things are temporary, and that there are always solutions. .
- Never fear the hard stuff. You are much stronger than you think and can cope far better than you give yourself credit for. As J.K. Rowling famously said, “Rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” The most difficult moments often forge the most resilient people.
- Get excited about your potential. See your future as a masterpiece in progress. Be excited about your potential and capability. Be kind to yourself, pace yourself, and trust yourself. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever have.
- It’s never too late to start over. The path you’re on isn’t a final one. It’s never too late to change paths, do something different, or get your life together. For example, the legendary wedding designer Vera Wang didn’t start designing dresses until she was 42!
- The only thought you need to change. To alleviate 99% of all stress, anxiety, and worry, change this single thought: “There is something wrong.” When you form the mindset that nothing is ever truly “wrong”—it’s simply part of the process—it’s incredible how you approach challenges and view yourself.
Overcoming External Pressure
Comparison and the opinions of others can be suffocating. These mindset shifts help you quiet the outside noise and focus on what truly matters: you.
- What others think is none of your business. Never worry about what others think. What they think of you is none of your business. No one truly knows your “back of house” and what goes on inside your mind. Focus on your own values, passions, and beliefs, and build your life around them.
- Comparison is a debt. As a new quote I love says, “Comparison is the emotional debt we carry from investing in other people’s dreams.” This is such a powerful reminder to stay in your own lane. When you focus on your own life and your own dreams, the noise of others fades away.
- Follow your dreams. If you have a dream, whether it’s big or small, you must follow it. Don’t brush it under the carpet and pretend it isn’t there. Dedicate more of your precious time, energy, and headspace to creating what you want for you.
Implementing Habits for Unstoppable Growth
Mindset isn’t just about thinking; it’s about action. These final tips are about creating habits that support your new, powerful mindset.
- Focus only on what you can control. Don’t drive yourself mad by worrying about things outside of your influence. Put your energy into the things you can actually affect, and let go of the rest. This simple practice will save your sanity.
- Perfection doesn’t exist. Take the pressure off yourself to find a “perfect” path or live a “perfect” life. Perfectionism is often referred to as “the highest form of self-abuse” because it’s an exhausting, unending cycle. Let go of the need for perfection and embrace progress.
- Keep going, keep trying. Get excited by the fact that someday, in some way you may not have thought about yet, you’ll get to where you want to be or become the person you want to be. The key is to just keep moving forward.
- Set the tone. You have the power to choose how you show up in each moment and scenario. You choose your attitude, your energy, and your response.
- Get right behind yourself. The relationship you have with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever have. Always be your own biggest advocate.
- Build beliefs that will help you get there. Your beliefs dictate your actions. If you believe you can’t, you won’t. If you believe you can, you will. Be intentional about building beliefs that support your goals.
- You only have one life. It sounds cliché, but it’s the absolute truth. Not only is mindset everything, but we really do only have one life to live. Make it count.
For those of you who’d love to go deeper and truly master these concepts, I recommend two powerful resources that can fuel your journey.
First, to deepen your understanding of the science behind success, pick up “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success“ by Carol S. Dweck. This foundational book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand how a growth mindset can transform their life.
If you prefer to learn on the go, the audiobook “Atomic Habits“ by James Clear is perfect. It offers a practical, step-by-step guide to building the small habits that lead to life-changing results.
Janey x