In case you’re wondering, embracing a possibility mindset isn’t the same as positive thinking. Positive thinking has plenty of benefits. And it’s certainly better than negative thinking.
Negative thinking leaves you in a perpetual state of pessimism and can start to blur the lines between what’s actually not working, and what you believe is not working.
Yet, blind positive thinking with no regard to the realities of challenges and problems in your life can keep you from addressing them. And that means missed opportunities.
Start with the Word ‘Yet’
When you’re approaching a problem or a goal, the notion of ever finding resolve or reaching that goal can seem impossible. But one of the foundations of embracing a possibly mindset is to start with the word “yet.” Working from this perspective, you’re open to the idea that just because something isn’t happening yet, it could in the future.
So rather than dwelling in what you haven’t yet achieved, incoporating “yet” fosters growth and resilience. Then you can focus on growth and development with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to learn. And these are crucial.
While that sounds great on paper, how do you go about cultivating this?
Steps for Embracing a Possibility Mindset
Reframing your perspective for a possibility mindset is not as difficult as it may sound. Here is where to begin.
1. Look At Your Achievements Up to This Point
Yes, celebrating your successes will give you a confidence boost. But making a list of the ways you achieved them will also help you understand the many different ways you got there. You’ll probably notice there wasn’t one singular path but instead some rather diverse approaches.
It’ll also help you consider those successes you thought would never make you happy but ended up doing just that. You were able to find that perfect balance between reflection and implementation. So what can you learn from that as you go forward?
Now, speaking of implementation…
2. Set Actionable Steps
As you set out to start achieving goals, it can be touch to know where to start. And soon you feel like you’re drowning. So try this. First, separate your goals into personal and professional. Then from there, break these down into four subcategories – big goals, checkpoint, goals, daily systems, and anti-goals.
Big Goals
Start by writing down two big goals in your personal life and your professional life. These are bold and ambitious goals that are just short of being ridiculous. They will motivate you on a macro scale, but aren’t really applicable on a micro daily scale. This doesn’t mean you’ll never achieve them, but for now you’re just putting them on paper.
Checkpoint Goals
For each big goal you write, you’ll match it with a measurable goal. These are your checkpoint goals. These are the goals that are more realistic and that you can actually achieve as you climb toward those bigger goals.
Daily Goals
Now, write down two or three things you can do each day to get closer to those goals. Remember, you’re building toward these goals over time and exercising great patience. These small steps may not seem like much, but they will propel you forward rather than leave you stagnant.
Anti-Goals
Though this is the last goal on the list, it’s one of the most important. As you’re moving toward your goals, it’s important to be aware of what you are unwilling to sacrifice along the way. Self-care is is crucial to your success. So let this list of anti-goals be your ultimate guide.
3. Keep a Gratitude List
If you’re weary of new-age rhetoric, you may be scrunching up your face and sticking out your tongue to this one. How many times have you been told to keep a gratitude list!? But it’s not only a great tool when working to cultivate a possibility mindset, it’s also a strategy for success. Focusing on what you have versus what you don’t creates a foundation of abundance.
In this case, keeping a gratitude list isn’t a matter of sitting down each day and writing out a few things for which you’re grateful. This is more of a weekly exercise where you really dig in and write about a person or situation that brings joy to your life. Go into detail and focus on the feelings you’re experiencing. You may even take the opportunity to reach out to that person and let them know.
Doing this with regularity will help you more clearly see the many avenues for growth and opportunity.
Be Kind to Yourself
Embracing a possibility mindset can take some time. But by incorporating the above steps with patience, you’ll make your way there.
If you’d like some help along the way, contact us today. Our experienced life coaches will give you the motivation, support, and accountability to help you succeed.
And remember, every journey is different. As you move away from black and white thinking and begin to embrace the many shades of grey along the way, those goals will come into clearer view.
