If everything seems to be in control you’re not going fast enough!
~ Mario Andretti
When we realize our time is short, we might just choose to live!
Living and merely existing are vastly different.
Please don’t confuse existing with living.
They’re vastly different.
Look, you’re going to face challenges whether you like it or not.
You’re going to make mistakes.
It’s all part of living; and deep down inside you do want challenges.
You want mistakes.
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Your spirit wants them.
For if it doesn’t challenge you it won’t change you.
Deep down inside you want challenges.
You want mistakes. Your spirit wants them.
For if it doesn’t challenge you it will never change you.
You want to test your own abilities.
You need uncertainty…
You need challenges…
You need and desperately want an external adversary.
This is absolutely truth whether you’re consciously aware of it or not.
You must learn to be comfortable with discomfort.
You need uncertainty. You need challenges.
You need an external adversary to escape complacency and boredom.
Carol Dweck, a psychologist from Stanford, studied the minds of professional race drivers.
With races lasting for hours, under intense pressure, and at speeds of over 200 mph, these drivers must be focused to say the least. That is if they want to survive. One error can not only mean losing the race, it can literally mean losing life.
Dwecks’ conclusion was that extreme focus is the result of two things:
- Being in the flow state.
- Having the ability to make a mistake and not let it blow your concentration.
Dweck found there are basically two types of mindset: a “fixed mindset” or a “growth mindset.”
Those with fixed mindsets assume that abilities, like intelligence and athletics, are fixed and unchangeable.
Those with a growth mindset believe that natural born talents are the starting point for a lifelong learning process gained through hard work and dedication.
Those with a growth mindset can enter focused flow quickly; and stay there more consistently no matter what happens during the race.
We can say the exact same thing about your life and business.
Let’s reemphasize, “Natural born talents are the starting point; and then it’s time for lifelong hard work.”
A growth mindset focuses on movement and improvement. To grow you must be willing to take risks; and to take risks, you must be open to making “mistakes.”
‘Mistake’ is a manmade term we use to label things we don’t like.
Yet ‘mistakes’ are most often our greatest teachers.
Barbara Sahakian, the neuropsychologist form University of Cambridge, states, “If you’re interested in mastery you have to learn this lesson. To really achieve anything you have to be able to tolerate and enjoy risk.”
Every single one of my temporary setbacks has taught me what was deep inside me. Deep inside us all.
If you quickly check your life experience, I’ll bet you find the same.
What appears to be the devil in your life is actually just God in disguise.
I’ve always found a way to pull out of the shadows, to find light in the darkness; and so can you.
I’ve always found a way to learn, grow, improve; and so can you.
The amateur sees everything as either a blessing or a curse.
The master sees everything as an opportunity for growth.
Those with a fixed mindset see the world as black and white.
Bad or good.
Wrong or right.
Mistake or mark.
Strikeout or success.
The person with a growth mindset sees everything, even when uncomfortable, even when unflattering, even when undesirable, even when painful and frightening, as input for further development, advancement and growth.
Which are you?
Fixed or Growth Minded?
Stay Awake, Love Life, and Be Epic!
James
