The mind is a powerful weapon. Its ability to create and imagine is truly amazing. I am fully under the impression that physiological warfare is worse than physical torture. After all, a bigger determining factor between success and failure starts here…
It is getting to that point of the year where I cram a lot of reflection in under 6 weeks. As I start reviewing this year and planning for the next, I realise I talk a lot about mindsets and changing mindsets on these voyages - without explaining what I mean by changing mindsets. So this post will be a nice little reset - looking at what I mean by changing mindset and some different mindset perceptions that I have explored and for you to have a go, yourself too.
What is change in Mindset?
A change of mindset is a change in thought, attitudes, behaviour and beliefs. This often involves challenging beliefs and attitudes with new ones.
Why should we look to change Mindset?
It is not just about looking to change your mindset but aslo challenging it. When we challenge mindsets, we either affirm or believe, adapt, or change what we already know. Either of these outcomes results in growth, but true growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone to challenge what you know.
In previous season examples, we have seen my mindset change a lot. For those not familiar, here are just a couple that explore this:
See how I stopped at ten? Season two alone could have probably completed this list. And I say this because my mindset continues to change, and changes can cause action. Even this blog only exists now due to a change in mindset. I haven’t even touched financial literacy in this blog either, as that was a mindset change … twice…
My mindset, view, and perception constantly adapt, becoming more certain of one thing or less certain of another. But let’s look at a Royal flush of mindsets right now:
The King of Mindset- Growth vs Fixed Mindset
The most common theory in mindset thinking - and the most familiar is the Fixed vs Growth Mindset theory.
For those who don’t know, let me briefly explain:
The Fixed Mindset: is the fundamental that talent and intelligence are fixed, predetermined
The Growth Mindset: is the fundamental that talent and intelligence can be improved
Why do I say this is the number one mindset?
It is, unfortunately, painfully simple - if you have a fixed mindset, your attitude to life will follow this. A fixed mindset does not believe in putting in effort and will not embrace learning. They are more likely to avoid challenges and failure and prefer to give up, knowing they didn’t give it their all. A person with a completely fixed mindset will not learn to change; if they can’t learn to change, they can not grow. Their capacity limits them. Success is seen as limited to them. Resilience is barely a word in the dictionary for them.
Now, to make a sweeping statement - you are either fixed or growing. Honestly, it is not as black and white as I make it seem, but there is clearly one you should be and one you should avoid being.
The Queen of Mindsets - Soldier vs Scout Mindset
I believe the second most important theory is the Soldier vs. Scout mindset.
A Soldier Mindset is a person who comes into a conversation or argument to win. They will defend current beliefs and views and treat ideas and opinions as something to be won or lost.
If you have been in any conversation that has turned into an argument, it is likely because someone got defensive on a topic (i.e., in a soldier mindset). They started to ignore alternative views or information that did not support their view. I think these conversations become very hard if you disagree on a topic and a person becomes defensive. This is because it feels or it seems that it genuinely will not matter what you say.
A Scout mindset is a person who has come into a conversation to seek understanding through conversation. They are more interested in hearing and challenging information and ideas in the conversation, even if they contradict their views. This is interesting because this curiosity may not have changed their view but will result in better decisions, solving more effectively and personally building stronger relationships with people regardless of their viewpoint.
Why do I say this is the Queen of mindset?
In some cases, the soldier mindset can turn into a fixed mindset, i.e., not growing and learning due to limiting beliefs. It also means you are less likely to weigh options, ignore red flags, or adopt more sunken fallacy behaviour. Soldiers will not adapt or embrace change as quickly and may prefer to stick with what is already working. This may have similarities to the King of Mindsets. But one thing very specific for the “Soldier vs. Scout mindset” is best explained in this phrase:
“Your ability to love is limited by your ability to listen”.
Scouts are simply more likely to listen to, emphasise, and understand other people's perspectives, resolve conflict more effectively, and build stronger relationships. This is because they constantly prioritise understanding and information over their ego and being right. Therefore, just by listening, they do not limit their ability to love someone based on views and opinions in a conversation—how very civil of them.
Unlike the number one mindset, this one is much more grey than black and white. Sometimes, we want to defend everything we know. Sometimes, we embrace, grow and adapt. But things like debate, politics, justice and law almost always require a soldier mindset. You are literally arguing your points because you think you are correct, and in most cases, you have to back yourself, regardless of the information. In the setting, it is a luxury to try and understand your opponents and their views without trying to beat them and win.
Then, some things can be very sensitive or personal (but mainly polarising opinions), almost guaranteed to cause people to become soldiers in their mindset. Especially if you come into the conversation as overtly curious, a little insensitive or indirectly in the soldier mindset (i.e. saying you are open but only focusing on disarming someone's argument in an attempt to make your viewpoint right). So unlike fixed and growth mindset where one is good, and one is not, the Soldiers vs Scout depends on several things … This being said, I think if you come into a conversation as a Scout and try to be as understanding as possible, you can go far. Remember, just because you are understanding does not mean you agree - and you can express that. We must continue to challenge and redefine how we think of things.
The Jack of all trades
I kid, I kid, after these first two fundamental mindsets, the rest will fall into place. It is up to you what you need to discover, adapt and challenge. Most will stem from a growth mindset approach and recording everything like a document. But the rest is more personal to you than anything else. Things I have had the privilege to challenge more recently are mostly recorded on this voyage so that I can remind myself of these things, too. On a serious note -please let me know if I am not reaching that standard. I am also curious if you have already challenged the notion or discovered the answer for yourself. Nevertheless, I can give you an appetite for some right now:
Why vs Why not - extending from the power of why - the why vs why not explores is all about acknowledging that there is far more possible than what we unintentionally limit ourselves by - reframing a default position of “no” into a default position of “yes.”
Money Mindset - your attitude to money
Emotional Hygiene- your attitude and treatment of your emotions
Imposter syndrome - your attitude to achievement and accomplishment being undeserved
It's funny how some of them are blogs already, huh
Changing Mindset doesn’t stop here —emotional Hygiene and imposter syndrome are changing mindsets about mental views, but how about other aspects of our lives? Our view on fitness and the way we view our bodies? Or even how we view God. Do we simply pray when we need something because we believe God can do something, or do we pray because we believe in God? Or finance - do we consume because of our needs, wants or even to keep up with standards defined by the world - keeping up with the Jones family behaviour
So I ask my dear readers, what is on your mind? What are your beliefs and attitudes now? Do any of them need to be addressed or challenged? 2025 is around the corner, maybe it is time for a reset…
Shine Bright,
Steph