Why Mindset is Everything in Achieving Goals (2024)

Achieving goals is no walk in the park, right? It’s like trying to juggle glass bowls when all you want to do is drop them and go running for a skinny margarita. I get it. I’ve been there. I am a full time recruiter, career coach, sister, friend, wife, and dog mom. While working full-time as a recruiter at the largest professional services firm in the world, I also managed to earn my Master’s degree in Human Resource Management last year. There were days when I felt like I was drowning in a sea of responsibilities But guess what kept me afloat? My mindset. It turns out, mindset is everything in achieving your goals.

Why Mindset Matters

First things first, let’s talk about why mindset is such a game-changer, and why mindset is everything. Mindset isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of how you approach life. A healthy mind can help you seize your one life and create your dream life. When I was knee-deep in work and studies, my mindset dictated whether I saw obstacles as roadblocks or as stepping stones. Spoiler alert: seeing them as stepping stones made all the difference. Once I mastered my mindset, I was able to launch my career coaching business, flourish in my current career, and help students find their dream jobs in a new and exciting way.

Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset

To truly understand the power of mindset, we need to compare two distinct types: fixed mindset and growth mindset.

The Dream Crusher

Imagine you’re at a crossroads. One path is marked “Fixed Mindset.” If you choose this path, you believe that your abilities, intelligence, and talents are static traits. Beliefs of “You’re either born with it, or you’re not” roll around in your head. Here’s the kicker: this mindset can be a dream crusher. When you hit a snag, you think, “I’m just not good enough,” and you give up. You don’t believe happiness and achieving your dreams is something that can happen in your personal life. You doubt your ability to work hard and become successful. You may even grapple with fear and judgement from society.

Signs of a Negative Mindset:

Avoiding obstacles
Giving up easily
Ignoring constructive criticism
Pessimistic thinking
Feeling threatened by the success of others

This was me in the early stages of my career. I hesitated to take on new projects, fearing I’d fail and embarrass myself. It felt safer to stick to what I knew. But this safety net was really a trap, keeping me from growing and achieving my goals and living my ultimate dream life and career. Mindset is everything to get you ‘unstuck’ and allowing you to change your beliefs.

Growth Mindset: The Game Changer

Now, let’s take the other path, marked “Growth Mindset.” This mindset is the ultimate game changer. You believe that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Stress? Bring them on! Failures? They’re just learning opportunities.

Signs of a Growth Mindset:

Embracing challenges
Persisting in the face of setbacks
Seeing effort as a path to mastery
Learning from criticism
Finding inspiration in others’ success

When I shifted my attitude and decided mindset is everything, I started to see every challenge as a chance to learn and improve. Instead of feeling threatened by the success of my colleagues, I felt inspired. I felt confident in my relationships, and wanted to help my peers succeed without worry or desire that they would upstage me. Their success showed me what was possible if I put in the effort. Mindset is everything in cultivating a new attitude.

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

Okay, so we know that a growth mindset is where it’s at, and mindset is everything. But how do you cultivate it? Here are some practical steps to help you shift your mindset and achieve your goals.

Embrace Challenges

First, learn to love challenges. Instead of shying away from tough situations, dive into them. Remember, every challenge is a chance to grow. When I was balancing my job and my Master’s degree, I saw every obstacle as a test of my resilience. It wasn’t easy, but embracing those stressors made me stronger. Mindset is everything in upleveling your career.

Learn from Criticism

Constructive criticism can sting, but it’s a goldmine for growth. Instead of taking feedback personally, see it as valuable information that can help you improve. Early in my career, I dreaded performance reviews. But once I started seeing feedback as a tool for growth, I was able to make significant improvements in my work.

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results

It’s easy to get caught up in the end results, but don’t forget to celebrate the effort you put in. The journey is just as important as the destination. When I finally earned my Master’s degree, it wasn’t just the degree itself that felt rewarding. It was knowing that all my hard work and perseverance had paid off. Your mindset is everything in keeping your confidence and attitude high and ultimately building your dream life.

Adopt a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset goes hand in hand with this mindset. Instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on the positive aspects of every situation. This doesn’t mean ignoring problems, but rather approaching them with a solution-oriented attitude. When work and studies felt overwhelming, I reminded myself of why I started and focused on the progress I had made.

The Science Behind Mindset

It’s not just motivational talk—there’s real science backing up the power of mindset. Research by psychologist Carol Dweck, a leading expert on mindset, shows that people with a growth mindset are more likely to achieve their goals. They’re more resilient, more willing to take risks, and more persistent in the face of negative circumstances.

Dweck’s studies reveal that our brains are more adaptable than we might think. When we embrace a this mindset, we’re essentially training our brains to become more capable. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, plays a crucial role here. By consistently challenging ourselves and learning from experiences, we can literally change the way our brains function.

Real-Life Examples of Growth Mindset

Let’s look at a real-life example of a person who embodies a growth mindset. These individuals faced significant hardships but persevered and achieved remarkable success.

Rachel Hollis: Building Happiness Through Resilience and New Ventures

As many of you know, Rachel Hollis is my icon! She’s a best-selling author and entrepreneur and is my one-stop shop for getting all the tips on managing stress, feeling stuck, and learning new things to reach my higher truth. A little ‘woo woo’ and a whole lot of great ideas about business and confidence. Despite numerous setbacks, she embraces stress as opportunities to learn, constantly explores new ventures like writing books and launching podcasts, and ties her happiness to personal growth by setting goals and celebrating small victories. She can give you great advice on cultivating a mentality to overcome adversity and live your best lives.

P.S. here is a picture when I saw Rachel Hollis in Houston last year. It was life changing!

Applying Growth Mindset to Your Goals

So, how can you apply this new mindset to your own goals? Start by identifying areas where you might be holding yourself back? Are there obstacles you’re avoiding because you’re afraid of failure? Are you giving up too easily when things get tough in life?

Set Realistic, Stretch Goals

Setting goals that are both realistic and challenging is key. Aim for stretch goals that push you out of your comfort zone but are still attainable with effort. When I decided to pursue my Master’s degree while working full-time, it was a stretch goal. It pushed me to my limits, but it was achievable with hard work and dedication. Belief in the process that this degree would give me incredible outcomes helped me focus and fulfill this goal.

Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself. Developing a new mindset is a journey, and you’ll likely encounter setbacks along the way. Instead of beating yourself up over mistakes, practice self-compassion. Acknowledge your efforts and learn from your experiences. This approach not only fosters a positive mindset, but also helps maintain your mental well-being.

Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People

Your environment plays a significant role in shaping your mindset. Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you. Be the person who will engage with mentors and peers who are looking for a life filled with happiness. Their positive influence can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals, and help you create your dreams in this world.

Conclusion: Mindset is Everything

In the end, mindset is everything. Whether you’re striving for career success, personal development, or any other goal, adopting a new mindset can set you on the path to guaranteed success. Embrace challenges, learn from feedback, celebrate your efforts, and maintain a positive attitude. Remember, your abilities and intelligence are not fixed—they can be developed through hard work and perseverance.

So, the next time you’re faced with a daunting challenge, remember: you’ve got this. With the right mindset, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. I’m rooting for you. Reach out to me at haley@haleyskinner.com with any questions!