A recent study demonstrates how our brain is working when we have these limiting thoughts. It shows how our thinking, or mindset, dictates as to whether we learn from our mistakes or believe our intelligence/ability is limited. Coaching (whether for life, business or sport) is one way of helping you move out of this paralysing mindset. You are basically in one of two mindsets: Growth or fixed.
I love being a coach helping people from all over Cornwall and further afield (via phone and Skype). However, I wasn’t always in a job I loved. When I first starting pursuing a job that was more ‘me’, more fulfilling, something I am passionate even before I saw a life coach a quote really struck a chord with me:
‘Whether you think you can or think you can’t you are probably right’ Henry Ford.
When I first heard this I had an insight. It opened me up to realising how I hold myself back from being the person I want to be and doing the things I want to do. My thinking held me in a job that I didn’t enjoy. I was telling myself it was too well paid to leave, I was too old to change career, I didn’t have a clue what I would rather do so I should just put up with it…and so it went on. That sparked me to have some life coaching and I have never looked back.
If you are in a fixed mindset you believe that you are operating at a fixed level of ability. When things go wrong or you are not achieving what you want it can be easy to get bitter and angry and blame others/the world for the circumstances. One example of this could be John McEnroe. He was an awesome tennis player however often blamed his losing of points on line calls. It was everyone else’s fault other than his own. I wound’t want be his coach!
Compare his mindset to Roger Federer’s. Federer is where McEnroe was in the 80’s. Both operating at the top of their game. However I believe Federer’s mindset is one of growth. Tomorrow is an opportunity to perform at an even higher level than today. When things go wrong it is not because he is operating at a fixed level of ability, there is always room for improvement and believe he can improve. Thus there is no blaming others when things go wrong. It is all learning. I bet Federer’s coach has an easier job than McEnroe’s did!
So are you in a fixed or growth mindset? If you are in a job you don’t love do you believe you can find one you do, find a sense of purpose? Life coaching really helped me on my journey to open my mind to a different way of thinking, leading me on a path of self understanding and a happier life.
The first step is to decide what you want. I blogged on this a few weeks ago with some tips to help you figure out what you want.
If you want life coaching with a difference, life coaching that also has the power to help you let go of limiting believes, fears and unhelpful thinking that could be holding you back then contact me to discuss how coaching could help you either here in Cornwall or over Skype/phone. Project You life coaching is designed to do specifically that.
