The Key to Happiness: Opening Doors of Opportunity & Having a Growth Mindset
Are you ready to experience the excitement of this new SPRING season?
My smile widens with the early arrival of warm sunshine in my corner of the world.
My smile began increasing with the simple act of springing our clocks forward, signaling longer, brighter days.
The next thing I noticed was the lawn transforming into its spring-green color and in need of a trim. 🙃
Then, with the longer days, the daffodils popped up like a periscope looking for more sunshine and decorating yards in our neighborhood with a beautiful yellow hue. 💐
To top it off, a perfect 70-degree day showed up on cue for a competitive golf scramble. 🏌️⛳
Transitioning from one season's vibe to the electric energy that a new season brings, I am reflective about all the opportunities that appear - and wonder what I will leave the door open for to welcome new skills, embrace growth, and invite even more positive energy into my life.
Some of us remember hearing adults reminding us as children to ‘close the door’ to keep out pests….
…while this is good advice to adhere to, I’m proposing a metaphorical shift: keep your mind’s door OPEN to new opportunities.
By welcoming fresh ideas, adventures, and hobbies into our lives, you enhance our adaptability, resilience, and outlook on what is achievable.
Stepping through an open door of opportunity, you may experience a surge of energy that leads to personal fulfillment.⚡
Exploring new activities expands our horizons and enriches our lives, expanding personal development and leaving a positive impact on those around us.
This action of learning a new skill or activity is the very action that allows you to grow into the next version of yourself.
Be prepared, the side effects include a wider smile, an excitement to get out of bed and begin a new day, and a brighter inner sparkle.
You will notice the change and so will those around you!
20 Ways To Spark Curiosity and Explore New Opportunities
Take a refreshing walk or invigorating hike
Enhance your curb appeal by planting colorful flowers
Go on a scenic bike ride
Try out a new activity by taking a golf, tennis, or pickleball lesson
Take in the local flavors by visiting a local farmer’s market
Take a nature walk
Fly a kite on a lightly breezy day
Go stargazing - watch for a shooting star or fireball meteor 🌠
Indulge in a picnic - bring a good book and your camera
Spread joy with a random act of kindness
Bask in the warm sun and let your worries melt away
Lose yourself in a book on your back patio
Make a bird feeder for your cheerful feathered friends
Pay it forward by donating items you don’t use or need
Show your car some TLC with a hand wash and interior detailing
Look for cheerful daffodils, take photos, and post on social media (and tag me 💐)
Elevate your mood with new uplifting music - create a playlist
Create a new garden and watch it flourish
Enjoy the season by hand-picking ripe berries at a U-pick farm
Expand your awareness of your town by exploring a new business or destination
The changing seasons create a sense of excitement and curiosity, with a path forward to expand our happiness (with more vitamin D 🌞) and embrace positive change in our activities.
I don’t know about you, but this seasonal change provides me with a renewed sense of energy, joy, curiosity, and well-being. 😎
While this change of seasons may feel somewhat like a whirlwind, with all the invitations the spring weather releases, the outdoor activities, as well as yard chores, take a moment to reflect on your emotions and the opportunities that spark enthusiasm within you.
Notice the mindset shifts that accompany these experiences and embrace the growth that comes with saying "YES" to new adventures. Pay attention when an idea sparks curiosity or widens your smile.
This week, select one new activity to say YES to and set the good vibes in action.
I’m fully committing to this plan:
Pack a delicious picnic lunch to enjoy on a scenic drive, exploring the vibrant colors of nature that this season offers. I’ll bring along my trusty camera, a gripping book that I’m currently reading, and a selection of my favorite lunchtime treats. And if you know me, you can count on finding a crips cosmic apple among my tasty picnic goodies.
Now that we've embraced the idea of trying something new, it’s time to dig into the concept of our mindset.
Mindset is EVERYTHING when it comes to personal growth and happiness!
Growth Mindset Versus Fixed Mindset
Have you heard of a fixed or growth mindset before?
Fixed versus growth mindset isn't just about how we perceive challenges; it's about our fundamental approach to learning and development.
Someone with a fixed mindset tends to operate from the perspective of scarcity, viewing intelligence, abilities, and talents as unchangeable over time.
In contrast, a growth mindset treats intelligence as a muscle that will get stronger as you continue to work it, building resilience and a belief in one’s ability to learn and grow.
I remember a time when I had a fixed mindset (it happens to us all). My parents insisted that I take piano lessons - and so I took lessons for years - and I didn’t take to it very well. To exacerbate the problem, I had a piano teacher who taught children who aspired to be brilliant pianists. (I wasn’t one of them.)
One year at the piano recital at a big fancy church with my parents and my brother sitting in the pews, I ‘had’ to get up and perform my song on the piano - ‘Prancing Poodles’.
Yep - I can’t make this stuff up!
I didn’t like the attention on me and I was extremely nervous. What I remember is ending the song (Yay!) with all the wrong keys for an awful-sounding chord. (Ouch!!)
Yes, I was humiliated; however, I was happy for two reasons. I was finished and now I proved to everyone that the piano isn’t for me. 🤣
Ohhhh, I must say that I wish I were as talented as my mom is on the piano, but let’s face it, I gave up on my abilities because I would rather be outside running, jumping, or turning cartwheels. I had a growth mindset on activities that required coordination and movement!
Could this be called a ‘selective mindset’ to benefit our likes and dislikes???
As you unwrap the dynamics of a mindset, it becomes apparent how vital it is for us to nurture a positive outlook on our continued journey for growth.
Strategies to foster a more positive mindset:
● Focus on your strengths
● Practice gratitude regularly
● Acknowledge positive qualities
● Practice self-compassion
● Engage in self-care
● Shift attention
● Cultivate optimism
● Try loving-kindness meditation
● Set meaningful goals
As you implement and strengthen our growth mindset with these strategies, you build the resilience and optimism needed to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities for personal development, thus developing a mindset that allows us to believe in ourselves and our ability to learn and expand our minds.
Stepping beyond our comfort zones takes courage. But courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
Start by identifying what’s holding you back, then take small steps outside your comfort zone each day.
With practice, your courage muscle will grow stronger and you will soon look back and see progress with your new mindset in motion
It takes courage to step out of our routines to pursue new opportunities.
Envision a future where you are building your self-worth and compassion, and commit to a growth mindset to create the life you desire.