7 Ways to Bullet Proof your Mindset

 


Mindset is something we all associate with sports, and we know a lot of athletes who are at the top of their game have a great mindset. Another thing we've heard a lot about is the growth mindset and fixed mindset by Carol Dweck. The point is to have a growth mindset where you always believe that you can learn anything new and you are open to new challenges. The book Psyched Up is a good book on this subject. Daniel McGinn argues that all top performers have a playlist that inspires them before they do anything important. So you can create a playlist of your favorite music to upgrade your mindset before an important event in your life.

If you have a great mindset, you can overcome setbacks much easier. Here I have expanded each letter of the mindset below. Here are 7 simple ways to bulletproof your mindset. Again, this has to be done consistently to get benefits.

M - Mind

What goes into your mind is what comes out. The point is to always feed your mind with positive books, positive podcasts, positive audio books, and positive people. If you do this on a consistent basis, you will be happier, calmer, and your mind will serve you better. The key is we need to evaluate before we do anything if this will help us or hurt us. So be careful about the input to your mind as it makes a huge difference. In this time of enormous turbulence, it is totally imperative to keep up to date on the news, but at the same time, it shouldn’t be done throughout the day as it can negatively affect your mindset.

To truly master your mind's input, consider dedicating specific times of the day to consumption of information. For instance, perhaps limit news consumption to a concise morning briefing and then actively seek out an inspiring podcast or a chapter from a personal development book during your commute or lunch break. By consciously curating your mental diet, you'll find yourself naturally gravitating towards more constructive thoughts and solutions, even when faced with challenges.

I - Inspiration

Another way to take care of your mindset is to keep yourself inspired. Always look at the big picture of your life. Look at your mission statement often, think of your long-term goals often, appreciate how far you have come, and stay around inspiration. You just feel great when you are inspired, and again it is our responsibility to be inspired.

To cultivate consistent inspiration, try creating a "vision board" or a digital folder filled with images, quotes, and reminders of your aspirations. Regularly revisit this collection, especially when you feel your motivation waning. Surrounding yourself with individuals who embody the qualities you admire and who are actively pursuing their own dreams can also be a powerful source of ongoing inspiration, fueling your own journey forward.

N - Never Say Die

Make a determination in advance that you will never give up. This is one of the best ways to take care of your mindset. Stay focused on your long-term vision and always keep that in the forefront when you encounter any short-term setbacks. Read inspirational stories on great leaders who have overcome enormous setbacks. For me, reading about Nelson Mandela always gives me hope.

Embracing a "never say die" attitude isn't about avoiding failure, but rather about developing the resilience to bounce back stronger. When you face an obstacle, instead of viewing it as a dead end, train your mind to see it as a puzzle to solve or a lesson to learn. Actively reflect on past challenges you've overcome and draw strength from those experiences, reinforcing your belief in your ability to persevere through anything.

D - Desire

Desire is the fuel you need for your mind to function at its peak. If your desire is burning and it is strong, nothing can stop you. So make sure your dreams are vivid and detailed. Make sure your desires are your own and keep fueling that desire on a daily basis.

To keep your desire burning brightly, spend time visualizing your dreams as if they've already come true. Engage all your senses in this visualization: what does it look like, sound like, feel like? This vivid mental rehearsal strengthens your emotional connection to your goals. Additionally, break down your larger desires into smaller, actionable steps. Achieving these mini-milestones will provide consistent boosts of motivation and reinforce your commitment to the ultimate vision.

S - Success

A cool way to keep your mindset in top shape is to define what success looks like to you. If you don’t compare yourself with others, you will understand that your victories are dependent only on what you want out of your life. It doesn’t depend on public approval. The only approval that matters is the person in the mirror. If that person is happy, then you are successful, and you will be a happier person.

Defining your personal metrics for success liberates you from the endless cycle of external validation. Regularly checking in with yourself to assess your progress against your own definition will cultivate a deep sense of contentment and fulfillment. Celebrate every small victory that aligns with your unique path, no matter how insignificant it might seem to others, as each step contributes to your personal narrative of success.

E - Exercise

This is one of the best ways to take care of your mindset. The feeling you get after a strong workout is just amazing and also the ideas you get after a workout. Find a way to put exercise in your schedule, and your mind will thank you for it. Of course, scientifically it has also been proven it enlarges the brain and increases your learning capacity.

Beyond the immediate rush of endorphins, regular physical activity profoundly impacts your mental clarity and emotional regulation. Even a brisk 20-minute walk can significantly reduce stress and improve focus. Consider experimenting with different forms of exercise—whether it's yoga, strength training, or a team sport—until you find an activity that you genuinely enjoy, making it easier to integrate into your routine and consistently reap its mindset-boosting benefits.

T - Teach-ability

This can also be called humility. When you are teachable, you understand that there are always people who have done better than you. There are masters out there whom we can all learn from. We should always think like a beginner. Once you have an open mind to learning, you feel a lot more thoughtful and learn much more.

Cultivating teachability means actively seeking out knowledge and feedback, even when it challenges your existing beliefs. Regularly engage with mentors, read diverse perspectives, and don't be afraid to ask questions, no matter how basic they seem. Approaching every situation with a beginner's mind not only expands your understanding but also fosters a continuous growth mindset, making you more adaptable and resilient in an ever-changing world.

There you have it—the 7 ways to bulletproof your mindset. These are simple ways we can keep ourselves at the top of our game when everything goes haywire.

Thanks for reading this post.

The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.


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