Purpose and Mindset, Never Give UP!
One of the hardest things we can do in this world is to express our own thoughts and opinions freely. We get caught in the chokehold of will they judge me for how I feel? Will the emotion become too overpowering in the moment, and I appear not to have my wits, or worse, lose them?
What is this Blog then? It is me expressing my thoughts, sharing my knowledge, and placing my emotions on the table for the world to see. Yep, it was intimidating making that first post. But if I have learned anything at this point in life, it is that it is essential to be true and honest to yourself. You are not who others tell you to be. You are not who the gossip monger or mob of mean girls or guys say you are. Recognizing that they fear your strength, power, and purpose is a direct reflection of why they are acting the way they are. Understanding that they have their own struggles and mental issues can drive their actions. People can knee-jerk project, rather than reflect on what that feeling was.
What I can tell you is that we, each and every person born on this planet, have a purpose. The quickest way to find your purpose is to evaluate your experiences and knowledge. What wisdom have you accumulated in your time here on this planet? What is your passion? Write these out as you work through them and make mental notes when they pop up in your mind. Read the book that may steer you in the right direction and talk with like-minded people. The people you are around make a difference. You want the group that encourages you, sees the good in what you do, and helps you achieve your goals.
A growth mindset directly impacts how you see yourself, your purpose, and how you achieve your goals, especially in the face of challenges or failures. Do you get up, dust off your backside after adversity, or stay down? That’s the short and sweet of it.
So, how do you start to make a change? Read a book, take a class, listen to a podcast, or watch a TED talk. The best one I can recommend first is Start with Why by Simon Sinek. An excellent read that is also highly motivational. Part of my master’s program work, perfect timing for me then.
The next is Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, PH.D. An enlightening book on how you handle challenges and adversity, and ways to work on changing how you do this if you struggle. Both can also be found on Audible, and the authors have given TED talks. The TED talk with Dweck was posted in one of my doctoral courses, and she referenced her book. I found it and added it to my reading list between semesters—an excellent read for anyone with kids, an educator, or someone who wants to work on their mindset.
Finding your purpose and mindset are large topics that work integrally together. Feel free to message if you are not sure where to start. Hint: Always start by never giving up. That is the short and sweet of it!
