How to change your mindset – How books can change your life and help you grow as a person


In my previous post,  Fixed vs growth mindset,  I talked about different types of mindset and why you would like to have a growth mindset. In Carol S. Dweck’s book called ” Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” she explains that while a “fixed mindset” accepts our character, intelligence, and creativity as static features which we cannot change in any way, a growth mindset loves challenge and can see failure as a lesson and opportunity to grow. The question is- how to do it? How to find a way to develop growth mindset? In this article I will show you how you can use personal development books as tools to change your mindset and help you grow as a better person.

First you need to be willing to change.

inspirational-quote-favorite-pastime-celestine-chuaDo you think you need to change your mindset, improve the way you are and become better and better every day? If the answer is yes- then you need to make a decision to change.

Remember that you are what you think about most. Control your thoughts! The more energy and feelings you give to your thoughts the more important they become.

It doesn’t matter for your mind if you choose positive or negative thoughts, they all will materialize in your life as the effect of you dominant thoughts.

So be more mindful of your self-talk and your feelings! You are in control of your mind! You always have a choice! And you have a responsibility to do right things for yourself!

Get all the necessary information. Read books!

This is a point where I will stress on importance of reading books! Read, read, read! For all benefits of reading check out my other post (Benefits of reading books- why should you read every day). Reading expands your brain power but also exposes you to new ideas and presents you with the information needed for your improvement.

Personal development books are the best genre in this case. You can learn so much by reading them as they give you tips and tools for your development and required changes. They can spark something in you, maybe ask right question or give you information you were looking for a long time. Whatever it is you are looking for, it can be found in a book. I’m sure the same questions were asked before many times, different people answer them, and maybe you heard the answer already but maybe you needed this special way it was said that made impression in you.

There are many personal development or so called self-help books about mindset. The ones which I would recommend you are:

There are many, many more but if you just start from these ones you will have a base to build on. You will discover soon that you get addicted to reading and gaining new knowledge but don’t worry… it is a good addiction 🙂

download (9)Another useful genre of books for your personal development are biographies and autobiographies of successful people. They can give you a hint of insight to what makes people successful and right minded. Do you have a favorite historical figure, business mogul, celebrity or other person who you look up to? Learn what they did in their life to get successful! Give yourself a chance! You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, there were other people before you who asked the same questions that you ask yourself now and tried to find the answers. Use their knowledge, their research and mistakes as a lesson! Use their tools, tips and pointers for your own development!

Books and development of mindset

Even celebrities reach to books as they source of wisdom and in a search of tools for they development and a creation of a right mindset. Two months ago actor Emma Watson brought attention to personal development and reading. She announced that she is taking a year from acting to focus on her personal development. She decided to read one book a week for a year. In the latest interview Emma said ” I’m reading a lot this year, and I want to do a lot of listening. (…) I’m reading so much and exposing myself to so many new ideas. It almost feels like the chemistry and the structure of my brain is changing so rapidly sometimes. (…) My work that I do for the UN is all very clearly outlined, but my personal views and opinions are still being defined, really. So it’ll be an interesting time.”

How books can open your mind

I came across this inspiring TED talk by Lisa Bu when doing research for this article. Have a look at the link below. Lisa talks about her childhood in China and how she needed to adjust her life when the family emigrated to United States. She used the books to expand her mind, help her to adjust to new reality and create the new mindset. It’s a wonderful talk, quite personal, about the power and magic of books.

Develop good habits for the desired mindset

You need to decide what personal values you would like to improve or change. Be honest with yourself, it’s your life and your mind. Choose right for yourself!

Remember that the best way to establish new habit is by repetition so expose yourself to a new idea over and over again. Habits come by practice. It is hard at first but when you establish a pattern it becomes part of you, it imprinting in your mind creating new mindset.

9964439824_8f9a8d5d32_bFew tips from “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg :

“This is the real power of habit: the insight that your habits are what you choose them to be.”

“This process within our brains is a three-step loop. First, there is a cue, a trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode and which habit to use. Then there is the routine, which can be physical or mental or emotional. Finally, there is a reward, which helps your brain figure out if this particular loop is worth remembering for the future: THE HABIT LOOP”

“Once you know a habit exists, you have the responsibility to change it . . . others have done so . . . That, in some ways, is the point of this book. Perhaps a sleep-walking murderer can plausibly argue that he wasn’t aware of his habit, and so he doesn’t bear responsibility for his crime, but almost all of the other patterns that exist in most people’s lives — how we eat and sleep and talk to our kids, how we unthinkingly spend our time, attention and money — those are habits that we know exist. And once you understand that habits can change, you have the freedom and the responsibility to remake them. Once you understand that habits can be rebuilt, the power of habit becomes easier to grasp and the only option left is to get to work.”

Enjoy creating your new mindset

You have to put passion and desire for the new mindset you would like to create.  All your feelings, aspirations and ambitions should be used to create your desired mindset. This process will release endorphins which trigger a positive feeling in the body. The feeling-good mood will help you to stay more inspired and emotionally engaged. Use it for your benefit!

Inspiring quotes about mindset

“You may encounter many disappointments. Be strong. Tell yourself, “I am good enough, I will try again.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great mind

“It is not what you look at, but rather what you see that matters. Set your focus right.”
― Emmanuel Ayensu

“The only difference, apart from heaps of cash, between someone who is wealthy and someone who is poor is having the right mindset and attitude.”
― Stephen Richards, Six Figure Success: Time To Think Big – You Can Do It

“Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

“There are two kinds of people. One kind, you can just tell by looking at them at what point they congealed into their final selves. It might be a very nice self, but you know you can expect no more suprises from it. Whereas, the other kind keep moving, changing… They are fluid. They keep moving forward and making new trysts with life, and the motion of it keeps them young. In my opinion, they are the only people who are still alive. You must be constantly on your guard against congealing.”
― Gail Godwin

“no matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.”
― Carol S. Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology Of Success

“Mindset change is not about picking up a few pointers here and there. It’s about seeing things in a new way. When people…change to a growth mindset, they change from a judge-and-be-judged framework to a learn-and-help-learn framework. Their commitment is to growth, and growth take plenty of time, effort, and mutual support.”
― Carol S. Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

 

So… what are you waiting for?! Get yourself together and choose the growth mindset! Develop, evolve and change to a better you!

 

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