How to shift your mindset

I’ve previously posted examples of a fixed and growth mindset, but HOW do we shift from a fixed mindset to a growth one?

Well, it’s the same as when I played football many years ago. You don’t become an England International overnight, it takes a lot of consistent effort, practice, learning and time!

Some things never change! We spent hours and hours on the training ground or in the gym but very little time on the mental side of the game. It was sink or swim back then, but whether in sport or business, we now understand working on one’s mindset can yield considerable gains.

Oprah Winfrey – from an impoverished background to a billionaire media mogul, her hard work and resilience aligned with her learned business acumen is a remarkable example of a growth mindset.

It’s a gradual process that starts with self-awareness and recognition. It’s essential to identify and recognise fixed mindset thoughts and behaviours. This is one area I’m working on and will always continue to work on.

Do you notice you’re avoiding challenges or feel defensive about feedback? Then challenge that fixed mindset thought, pause, and ask: Is this thought helping or hindering my growth?

Consciously reframe challenges as opportunities for learning. Especially during my football career, I focused on the process rather than only the outcome, win, lose or draw. Celebrating effort, strategies, and progress is essential – even if the ‘result’ or ‘outcome’ didn’t go your way. Don’t see this as a failure but another opportunity to learn.

Set learning goals, not just performance goals. Regularly seek out new experiences and challenges. Seek and Value Feedback. Surround yourself with growth-minded individuals. Take on challenges incrementally – a marathon is achieved one step at a time.

I discuss and work on these points and more with businesses, but one item is vital—be kind to yourself! We’re human and make mistakes, but we must keep making consistent efforts.

Lastly, a misconception—shifting to a growth mindset is not always about being positive or pretending everything is easy. It’s about believing in your capacity to learn and grow, even when things are difficult. Choose a “Growth Mindset” and be constructive, not destructive.

#growthmindset #PersonalGrowth