Written by: Ian Campbell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Mindset, that old apple, is here again. It’s here to remind you not to give up. That we are the creators of our own destinies. Our mind is our greatest asset and tool. Let’s learn how to use it properly to realize a happy and prosperous life.
What is a success mindset? According to the Australian Institute of Business, "your mindset is a set of beliefs you have that shape how you view the world and yourself. Your mindset influences how you think, feel, and behave in different situations." In other words, it’s important to believe in what you are selling!
That’s right, it’s not about following a dogmatic set of instructions to reach the top or trailing blindly behind fearless leaders in hopes of gaining some success in their wake. You must work at it!
Harsh words for the soft-hearted and well-meaning, but necessary.
Without some idea of and preparation for what you’ll be facing to succeed, there is little hope of success.
So, take courage and forge ahead – turn that unknown landscape of self-doubt and fear into a living, breathing masterpiece of human achievement!
A success mindset can be made up of several subsets:
a growth mindset
positive thinking
intrinsic motivation
Each of these plays a crucial role in the outcome of your efforts to succeed.
A growth mindset means you believe you can improve. You’re aware that consistent effort reaps the rewards in skill development and emotional richness. You are successful because you work at it.
A positive attitude has long been heralded as the creator of wealth, prosperity, and success.
According to Joe Nash, Ph.D. (2015), "The roots of positive psychology stretch back to the ancient Greeks and Aristotle’s concern with eudaemonia (often translated from Greek as happiness), intellectual and moral virtues, and the good life. Also, some of the core elements of positive psychology, such as mindfulness, have roots in ancient Eastern spiritual practices." Anything ancient academic tradition that is still in use today must have value.
Finally: intrinsic motivation. How we are motivated is almost as important as being motivated. It’s essential to have virtue alongside motivation. The reason why we do something is everything worth going for.
Mountains of gold and expensive houses are all well and good, but without some meaningful purpose and virtue, they are worthless. Everyone knows the story of the man who sits alone on a wooden chair in the middle of his cold and empty mansion. Virtue gives us purpose and resonates with universal values.
Intrinsic motivation is our portal to virtue. It supplies us with the emotional currency to make it all worthwhile. Think, "I want this, because.." and that reason had better be good.
Using these three mindset components wisely will lead you to success.
For many of you wondering how to achieve a success mindset, I would recommend peaceful introspection, perhaps through meditation, to set meaningful goals that come from your truest self.
More practical strategies might be:
Yoga – the art of yogic breathing, causes a shift in consciousness that awakens basic instincts and realigns soul with self. Yogic breathing is closely associated with life force, and the act of breathing in the prescribed manner stretches the force within with resulting improved mental and physical health.
Provide challenging situations for yourself that will foster personal growth, not impede it. Volunteering, discovering new places, cooking classes: something simple and interesting that will keep you motivated.
Never give in to a negative attitude. Be your own best friend and look for the silver lining around every failed effort. Like it or not, we learn through success and failure.
Surround yourself with like-minded people. People like yourself who also want to learn and grow and maintain their happiness level You can inspire each other all the way to the top!
Above all, love yourself. For many people, there is only one go-round in life, so make the most of it and recognize the greatness and beauty of just being yourself.
Visit my website for more info!
Ian Campbell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ian Campbell is a life coach, thinker, and motivator. He has dedicated his life to an understanding of what motivates us to reach our highest potential and how, through embracing and developing mind-growing strategies and techniques, we can learn to ‘live with life.’ He is a strong believer in raising our consciousness by meditating on our deepest values. Thus, the role of spirituality in our personal and work lives plays a strong part in his teachings. He has been a spiritual coach since his early ‘20s, leading meditation groups to reduce stress and connect with each other more meaningfully.
