Mindset is a “set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself”, according to verywellmind.com. It influences how you think, feel, and engage with the outside world. Your thoughts directly impact your outcomes of any given situation.
Two most recent examples of mindset for me are Tara Dower, the fastest person to complete the Appalachian Trail, and me, learning that October 14th was National Dessert Day. Vastly different examples and yet display mindset beautifully.
Tara Dower’s recent achievement as the fastest person to complete the Appalachian Trail (AT) is not just a testament to her physical abilities, but also an inspiring story of mental resilience and growth. Her journey offers valuable insights into how a strong, adaptable mindset can significantly impact performance and personal well-being.
Tara Dower’s relationship with the Appalachian Trail is one marked by challenges. Seven years ago, her first attempt at a thru-hike ended abruptly due to a panic attack. This experience could have deterred her; instead, it ignited a transformative journey of self-discovery. Dower channeled her anxiety to understand and manage it, which ultimately became a cornerstone of her success.
This highlights a crucial aspect of mindset: the ability to learn from setbacks. Instead of viewing her past failure as a definitive endpoint, Dower reframed it as a steppingstone toward her goals. By embracing her vulnerability and actively working to overcome it, she built a stronger foundation for future challenges.
Discovering that today was National Dessert Day brought about mixed emotions. At first, I was excited and started to scroll through a rolodex in my head of desserts worthy to celebrate. Then I checked in with my body and realized I wasn’t even hungry, why did I need to have any dessert at all?
My brain continued to play this ping pong match of indulge vs make healthy choices for about 7 innings. Towards the end of the day, I eventually reached for a piece of Halloween candy that was on deck for trick or treaters…hardly a worthy National Dessert Day dessert /:
What happened next was this inner voice playing the judge of my actions. Negative thought after negative thought flooded my brain. That piece of candy was not worth the mental exhaustion I put myself through this evening.
Tara’s example is one a growth mindset. She was able to navigate her situation and use it to improve her outcome.
My example is one of a person with a fixed mindset who is trying to become someone with a growth mindset. Yes, I had a setback, but I was able to accept my action and have gratitude for the experience before the night was over. I am consciously choosing to develop a growth mindset.
YES! You can change the mindset you default button! Next post we will dive in on how one does “set” the mind.
In the meantime, direct message me if you want to talk more about your mindset.
~ Wing Woman
Wing Woman 