A Limiting vs. Growth Mindset

Six months into 2020 and it still feels like a bad joke.

We’re halfway through the year where I promised myself that I would finally ‘put up or shut up.’

While in the beginning, my path wasn’t completely mapped out, I didn’t think that where I am is where I was going to be.

I also didn’t envision dealing with a pandemic. Who would’ve ever believed that their nightmares would suddenly become reality?

That disrupted every plan I had in the works. It brought forth obstacles that, in the beginning, I couldn’t even fathom.

But this is not news. Everyone has been affected by this situation, in one way or another.

In my case, it caused a pattern disruption.

My routines were upended, but those routines came from a place of comfort. Tried and true.

They didn’t necessarily make me happy, they were just familiar.

And therein lies the problem.

Whoever named it a comfort zone was so off the mark, because it is anything but comfortable.

It’s designed to keep you safe, but by severely limiting growth.

Accepting the status quo has proven dangerous. Both internally and externally.

Among other things, this disruption it made me realize that now is the time, more than ever, to get comfortable within uncomfortability.

To use uncertainty as a starting point, instead of treating it as an ending.

So much of what happens is out of my control. All I can do is take responsibility for myself, and push on.

I need to be aware not to fall back into old habits that are designed to “keep me safe.”

I need to refocus my thoughts so that, despite standing in my own way, I can get back on track.

I need to get really, specifically clear on the things I want and need, and I need to publicize it to help hold myself accountable.

Last week began my newest venture out of my (un)comfort zone: to combat pattern disruption, I started a mindset reset course. 

With the current climate, I was uneasy about the investment, but also relieved to find myself surrounded by people in similar situations.

Everyone in the class ended up here as a way to take charge of the small percent that’s actually in our control.

Barely two weeks in, and I already see how beneficial it will be.

I can also see how much work will be involved. It’s easier to not bother trying.

But where will that leave me? Right here. And I am 100% positive that “here” is not a place I want to stay.

“Here” is limiting.

And having this limiting mindset is exactly what needs to change. The self-sabotage. Standing in my own way. Giving up before even giving things a chance to play out.

The reason I chose this class, from this teacher, is that she has a way of gently guiding her clients out of their heads. She breaks the bubble we all find ourselves trapped inside at some point.

Most people fear the unknown, but she has a way of allowing us to see it from an exciting standpoint, instead of a paralyzing one.

I have no idea what the next few weeks will bring. As usual, my subconscious is already on the attack, telling me that things won’t change.

That there’s no point in trying.

That I should accept how things are, instead of striving to make them as I want them.

But for the first time in a long time, I’m excited to tell myself to shut the f*** up. Because for once, it doesn’t come from a place of self-loathing, but from a place of growth.