Mind Weeds and Brain Blooms
As we said a few weeks ago, feelings are fleeting and fickle. And if we allow our actions to be motivated by those feelings, we will experience a ton of inconsistency in our lives. Part of the maturation process is learning to act with intention rather than emotion.
Recent research has shown a direct correlation between developing a growth mindset and its impact on intrinsic motivation. In fact when it comes to educating our youth, developing a growth mindset has a demonstrative positive impact on motivation and student outcomes. And one of the most impactful skills we can develop to positively impact that growth mindset is that of self-awareness.
That isn’t true just for young students. All leaders need to become more self-aware. And the positive result is its impact on growth. So, how do we do that?
Reflection is the main lever we can use. Here are some reflective questions that are helpful for me to revisit:
Where do I find my worth as an individual?
Where am I finding my identity right now?
What am I shooting at? What specific goals am I focusing my resources on right now?
Am I taking action towards those goals each day?
Purpose is the main motivator that leads to action. When we attune our work to our WHY, we eliminate waves of conflict that lead to meaningful progress. Remembering that purpose when times get tough can help us stay motivated amid challenges. It serves as the connection between intention and action. To develop more awareness and alignment in those areas ask:
Who am I trying to serve with what I am working on right now?
What is the legacy I am trying to leave?
What kind of impact am I trying to have?
If we want to learn to embrace obstacles, persist in the face of failure, and develop more consistency in life, we have to first become more aware of our purpose. As a good gardener tends and observes what is going on both above AND below the surface. It takes great effort and perception to identify what needs to be brought into the sunlight, what needs to be watered, and what needs to be removed so that full potential can be reached.
In tending the “garden” of our own lives, developing self-awareness through reflection can help bring better focus to HOW we have been wired, WHAT our goals are, and WHY they are important. That understanding is crucial to developing a mindset that can continue to grow as we age and mature.