Life can be tough.
Making positive change is easy.
Or is it?
I spoke to a veteran teacher recently about the idea of making positive changes.
Me: “Change is tough.”
Other Teacher: “It’s just a decision people have to make.”
This was a tough discussion for me.
Change is easy, technically. Instead of A you choose B.
But overcoming entrenched barriers and obstacles takes more than a flick of a switch. Change is harder to overcome if life has been traumatic or decades of obstacles have become entrenched.
How you approach the obstacles has a significant impact on your success at getting around them. Recognizing the need for, and accessing, support is another piece of the puzzle.
Obstacles will always be there. Some will be tougher than others.
Growth mindset – along with support – can make the difference to create change.
Fixed Mindset:
The way is set. It’s always been this way. It will always be this way.
“I’ve never done well at ________ (school, love, interviews, tests…) That’s the way it is.”
With a fixed mindset obstacles turn into barriers that become insurmountable.
Growth Mindset:
The past has been set. But it can change. Anything is possible.
“So far, my success at ________ (school, love, interviews, tests…) has been limited. How can I get better?”
With a growth mindset, obstacles turn into puzzles that become possible with perseverance.
It’s true, some people have innate abilities that make (some) tasks or changes easier. And some people have external negative influences that increase the challenges.
But, with a growth mindset, the outcome is a challenge or puzzle that just needs to be navigated for success. Anything is possible. Nelson Mandela said “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Listen to Carol Dweck speak about the power of yet.
Finding effective mentors or support for those with a history of recurring obstacles or entrenched barriers will also be one important key to success and positive change
Back to my discussion with my teacher colleague…
Change is tough. History can repeat itself unless you make the decision to choose a growth mindset – perhaps with support – to allow the change to happen.