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Like shifting sands, many changes occur in September.  Some adults and kids find these days are enjoyable, along with the temperature changes.  But for others, it means less daylight,  more school schedule pressures, and routines that require doing more in less time.  Likewise, work may be a pressure cooker for the projects that still need completion. 

How can you cope if you are in a season of change or flying solo?  How can you develop a “Growth Mindset”?  According to the  Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/change-your-mind-to-grow/art-20342132 “Growth Mindset correlates with good physical and psychological halth, and is a strong indicator of achievement….Adjusting to a Growth Mindset will give you more resilience in the face of challenges.”

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This graphic simplies the concept of  Growth Mindset, so how does that look, practically speaking?  As a Certified Professional Life Coach, I have found that adults (myself included) move forward when embracing a Growth Mindset.                     Here are four tips to help develop your Growth Mindset and adjust to the shifting seasonal changes.

1.Sign up for free lectures, seminars, webinars or video lessons.  Try a new activity outside your comfort zone, that fits your schedule.  For me, it was taking free Kenpo Karate self-defense classes twice a week. Rather than giving up or quitting entirely, I determined to power through to learn these forms and techniques.

2. Return to something you once enjoyed doing but set aside, such as: needlecrafts, woodworking, designing, sketching, gardening, building or deconsgtructing, as well as musical and artistic expressions! Create a space (mentally), a place (physically), and a time (socially) to start this activity, for a different purpose or application.

3. Consider criticisms and reframe them as Feedback. Dont take offense without taking the time to reflect.  Feedback opens up the door  for your mind to grow, explore, and experiment.  View problems as avenues of opportunities..to learn new skills, information and adjust.  You don’t have to park on the dead end street!

?4. What you don’t know can be an impetus to find out! Instead of feeling inadequate or uninformed, challenge yourself to unearth facts, data, research and/or documentaries.  A forward focus enhances your Growth Mindset. 

                            *  Big Idea: Growth Mindset is a proces that takes practice and effort. *

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment or reach out to me at [email protected]. I work with small groups and individuals, offering free Webinars as a Professional Courtesy!  www.forwardstepsinlife.com.