We’ve talked a lot about mindset in the last several issues of this letter. I’m sure some among you think all this mindset talk is “woo-woo” pointless chatter.
“Just get on with the program!” you may say. I assure you, there’s abundant science supporting the idea that mindset affects performance. It also affects life satisfaction and happiness.
Effective “getting on with the program” requires a positive mindset. Are you working with an abundance, rather than scarcity, mindset? Focusing on solutions, rather than problems? If so, you’re in the most effective mindset. If you’re focusing on scarcity and problems, you’re not as effective as you may think! For sure, not as effective as you could be.
A few mindset-related concepts this week:
- Reflection makes the most of experience.
- Worry does nothing to fix what you’re worrying about. We have a quick recipe for dispelling worry.
- Happy positive people are happy whether they’re materially wealthy or not.
Here’s Karyn Danielle on the topic of reflection. She begins by citing this quote:
“We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on our experience.” – John Dewey
Careful reflection can bring to light:
- What went well.
- What we can improve upon.
- Where life worked against us despite our best effort.
- Celebrate that effort, even if the outcome was less desirable than you hoped for. You gave it your best shot!
Karyn expands on that idea – all part of the concept of a positive mindset.
Worry detracts from performance. Worry is nothing more or less than negative expectations. It’s a negative mindset. If you find yourself worrying about something:
- Explore what you can do about it. Then do it – take positive steps.
- If there’s nothing you can do about it, decide to accept the outcome, whatever it is.
- Be on the lookout for anything you can do to mitigate its effect on you. Do that thing.
- Then stop worrying.
- Get on with the things you can do in the rest of your life.
The scare about the coronavirus is a perfect situation for practicing this.
There are many negative people who make lots of money or show other signs of success. Usually their “success” is short-lived, and they lead unhappy lives.
Annette Bau has studied happy people enjoying life and those who fight it. Each category includes some who have money. And others who struggle financially. In 30 years of study, she’s found it’s all about mindset! Money, or other trappings of “success”, don’t make unhappy people happy. They just result in unhappy people with lots of stuff!
Focus on things you can control – especially your mind!