Ever wonder why some people seem to live lives filled with success and happiness while others struggle to find any joy and are constantly annoyed?

The secret lies in the mindset with which we approach our circumstances, never in the circumstance itself.

Let's get one thing out of the way. Real trauma and pain exist. I have no answers for how humans can harm other humans. If I was forced to come up with an answer, how someone treats others is in their mindset.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about how transforming your mindset will impact your journey towards continued joy.

We all have personal biases and ways we see the world.

How we see the world creates the thoughts we think actively and inactively.

Our thoughts create the actions we show to the world.

In turn as we act towards others in and around and about our environment, we receive feedback, telling us "do or do not do that more."

Your mindset shapes how you view the world.
Your view of the world (worldview) shapes how your mind works.

So, which one really influences how you react to challenges and opportunities?
Do you start by changing your environment or your mindset first?

You most likely won't change the entire world around you in an immediate or actionable way that makes a difference. What you can do and choose to do always begins in your mind. You must first decide to take action then you can change the world around you and through you.

There, problem answered. You can stop reading... or continue on!

Your mindset is the lens through which you see and interpret life's events.
It's the reason you're happy spending $300 on two entrees and drinks for a dinner for 2 versus complaining about spending $50 to fill up your gas tank at $3.50 a gallon.

So let's talk about a fixed and a growth mindset. They are exactly what they sounds like though let's see where you fall in.

If you have a fixed mindset, you tend to believe that your abilities are static and unchanging. "I have always been this way" way of thinking. You may feel a fear of failure and thus don't venture far from what you know and are "sure" you're capable of.

Do these sound familiar?
"I'll never be able to do that..."
"It's too late for me to change careers..."
"I can't believe they were able to do that..."

Conversely, a growth mindset embraces challenges and problems as opportunities for development, which is crucial for achieving happiness. Every aspect of your daily life, from finances, work, and relationships are made or broken by your mindset.

Let's go back to the earlier examples with a growth mindset:
"That's something I can learn! Google and YouTube are gonna be my new best friends."
"I want to change careers so what can I do to start that process?"
"If they can do it, I know it's possible now."

By adopting more positivity, I don't mean blind positivity to everything, and resilient mindset, you open the door to greater achievements and satisfaction.

"The mind is everything. What you think you become." - Buddha

The first step in transforming your mindset is to become aware of the thinking that has created patterns in your life.

Notice how you fall in the same fitness rut?
Always finding yourself in debt and living paycheck to paycheck?
Your exes all are similar and the relationships ended similarly?

Old you may say "it's a coincidence."
New you is going to day, "maybe I am the common denominator here."

Write these thoughts down or do something to help you remember these "negative" thoughts. Once you identify these thoughts that are holding you back or keeping you stuck, you can start to challenge their validity.

Whenever you start to recognize these thoughts coming up, you can take a minute and "watch the thought." What I mean is, literally imagine the thought in a nice little though bubble, caption, whatever works for you and watch it floating by you. Does the thought serve you in this situation or does it make your situation "less than?"

Start incorporating practices that help you see possibility. These habits can reshape your thinking and enhance your emotional resilience. Instead of dwelling on failures, use them as learning opportunities. This shift not only improves your resilience but also helps you approach life with a more optimistic outlook.

"Change your thoughts and you change your world." - Norman Vincent Peale

Incorporate small practices like:
Morning - set intentions for the day,
During the day - taking work breaks to refocus,
End of the day - reflect on what did and did not work in your day.

These habits reinforce a your mind to seek growth rather than remain stagnant.

Too many people are walking generalities with no purpose nor direction in mind.

Adopt the mindset that learning never stops. Your perspective keeps you curious and open to new experiences, which is essential for you to get that summer body, start that business, and find the love you have been seeking.

"Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it." - Steve Maraboli

​Transforming your mindset isn't just about altering a few thoughts. It's about changing how you live your life. By embracing a growth-oriented and positive mindset, you empower yourself to overcome challenges, grow from your experiences, and ultimately lead a happier, more fulfilling life.

Remember that your path to happiness is paved with the thoughts you feed daily. So, start today, and watch how a transformed mindset can lead to a transformed life. Join us on this journey of self-discovery and see how changing your mind can truly change your life.