Who do you want to become?

Our definition of “who we are” creates our possibilities. 

Are you funny? Clumsy? Socially awkward? Timid? Adventurous? Artistic? Bold? 

If the way we see ourselves becomes too rigid, we start to get in our own way. We stifle our own growth and potential.

If you think you’re socially awkward, you’re less likely to engage in social events — and not allow yourself the opportunity to practice being social.

If you think you’re clumsy, you’re less likely to take that dance class or do the yoga which will help you practice becoming more physically agile.

We humans literally learn by doing things. But too often, we think we just are a certain way. We believe in the myth of talent. We approach life with a fixed mindset.

Some people have it, and some people don’t. 

Either you’re naturally musical, or you’re hopelessly tone deaf. 

Either you’re athletically gifted or you’re a clutz.

You’re a natural born leader or you’re a wallflower.

It’s certainly true that some things may come more easily for others, but anyone can learn new things and get better at them.

Our brains and bodies are literally built to learn. 

So long as you are drawing breath, you are learning. Why not do it with intention?

Want to learn to do something new? You just have to want it and believe in yourself enough to keep showing up and putting in the effort.

And to do that, you need to be able to tolerate frustration — or what I like to call, “ride the struggle bus.”

Think about it - we learn by doing. That means, in order to learn, we need to do something we don’t yet know how to do. 

So, we try the thing. We struggle. We fail. We try something different. That works better, we do more of that. And on and on it goes.

Essentially, our entire lives are meant to be an endless series of experiments. 

But instead, we decide (usually when we are young) that we aren’t good at math, or are too quiet to be taken seriously, or too shy to be a leader — and we think that’s it. That’s who I am. I’ll just walk miserable little circles in this tiny, self-made restrictive box of limitations.

Thankfully, there is another way. It’s called a growth mindset. Instead of saying “I don’t know how to start my own business. I can’t do it.” We say “I don’t know how to start my own business yet — but I do know people who have. I will ask them for advice on how to get started.”

Instead of saying, “I’m not creative” we can say “I want to learn how to be more creative. I’m going to find new ways to practice creativity.”

Rather than saying, “I have terrible balance and coordination” we can say, “I’d like to improve my balance and coordination. I’m going to sign up for that yoga class.”

And yes, you’re going to most likely feel silly, and flop around and wobble for a while, but you WILL improve — and the more you work your growth mindset muscles, the easier it becomes. 

You become more open, curious and confident. Life becomes less of a slog and more of an adventure. You might even learn to laugh and take yourself less seriously.

You might even have fun. 

Imagine that.

Want to learn more about how to grow your growth mindset. The horses are leading the way. Join us for our April 15th workshop at Liberty Lane Stables - Let’s Get Gritty. Grow Your Growth Mindset.