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What sets apart someone who accomplishes great things and someone that fails to realize what they are capable of? You might guess intelligence, taking risks, or creativity. Science, however, proves otherwise. Mindset can impact everything in your life from work to relationships, and even your performance in the gym!

According to Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, the number one predictor of success is not any of the suspected culprits – it’s your mindset. Those who achieve great things believe they can grow and improve in life. This is called a growth mindset. Contrarily, those who believe their abilities can’t improve have a static or “fixed” mindset. If you have a static mindset, what can you do to change?

  • Change your inner voice – Instead of telling yourself, “This is hard” or “I’ll never accomplish my goals,” focus on positive reinforcement. “I knocked out that last set; I can do it again! I got this.”
  • Choose Growth – Ramp up your strategies and effort. Choose to expand your abilities.
  • Talk back – Respond to negative self-talk with positivity. Static mindset, “What if you fail. You’ll be labeled as a failure.” Growth mindset, “Most successful people failed along the way. It’s how you pick yourself up and don’t quit.”
  • Act – Don’t just keep the positivity in your head; act it out! Growth comes through action.
  • Come up with a positive phrase – “If he/she can do it, I can do it!” “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” Repeat a positive phrase to yourself when you’re having a tough day and it will help change your mood and performance.

Now you know. If you want to take your performance to the next level: change your mindset!