7 Dream Killers Preventing Your Success – #4 Fixed Mindset

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How Flexible Are You?

For me, flexibility depends on several factors—how I feel, how much fear or resistance I have based on past experiences, how attached I am to a particular outcome, and the overall context. However, as I reflect on my life, I realize that the situations, relationships, and experiences that caused me the greatest stress and frustration were often the ones where I was the most rigid and inflexible. On the flip side, when I allowed myself to be more flexible, I experienced greater peace of mind, and problems seemed to resolve more quickly. Does this resonate with you?

In today’s world, flexibility is essential—whether in our careers, businesses, relationships, or personal growth. But due to fear, arrogance, resistance, and stress, we often find ourselves stuck in a rigid mindset, stubbornly holding on to old habits and ideas. When this happens, it doesn’t just affect our peace of mind, it can lead to missed opportunities and the derailment of our dreams. This brings us to Dream Killer #4—Fixed Mindset.

Dream Killer #4 – Fixed Mindset

A fixed mindset is like a mental cage. It keeps you stuck in rigid thinking patterns that block your ability to grow and evolve. This rigidity is like muscular atrophy; the less flexible you are, the weaker your resilience becomes. Life is filled with ups and downs, and a flexible mindset is essential for riding out the bad seasons and capitalizing on the good ones.

In her research, psychologist Carol Dweck coined the term fixed mindset to describe people who believe their intelligence, talents, and abilities are static traits that can’t be changed. This belief often leads to a fear of failure, a resistance to new challenges, and a need to constantly prove oneself. On the other hand, those with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. This mindset encourages resilience and the belief that challenges are opportunities for growth .

When you adopt a fixed mindset, you limit your potential by clinging to old beliefs, behaviors, and outcomes, even when they’re no longer serving you. But when you’re flexible—when you embrace change—you allow yourself to grow, evolve, and pursue your dreams more effectively.

How Can You Become More Flexible?

Here are three tips to help you cultivate flexibility and break free from the constraints of a fixed mindset:

1. Embrace Change

Change is inevitable, yet so many of us resist it. We retreat into our comfort zones, where things feel familiar and safe. But growth and progress rarely happen within the confines of comfort. By embracing change, even when it feels scary, you open the door to new possibilities and experiences.

I once worked with a woman named Emily who resisted change in her career. She had been in the same job for over a decade, feeling comfortable yet unfulfilled. When her company began restructuring, Emily was terrified of being forced into a new role. However, after some coaching and self-reflection, she began to see the changes as an opportunity. Emily ended up transitioning into a completely different department, where she found renewed passion and a sense of purpose. Had she remained rigid, she would have missed this chance for growth.

As Lao Tzu famously said, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

2. Take a Different Route to Work Once a Week

Breaking out of your routine in small ways can be incredibly powerful in resetting your mindset. Taking a different route to work, for example, can help you see things from a new perspective and condition your brain to accept new experiences. Even small changes like this can help you become more adaptable and open to larger, more significant shifts in your life.

Routine can sometimes blind us to new opportunities. When you change something as simple as your commute, you force your mind to wake up and be more present, helping you see life through a different lens. This kind of flexibility can spill over into other areas of your life, making it easier to adapt when bigger changes come your way.

3. Read a Book Outside of Your Interests

We often stick to what we know when choosing what to read, but exposing yourself to new ideas can foster a more open mindset. For example, while I usually enjoy books on personal development, I decided to read about snakes one year. While snakes are an animal I loathe, learning about them surprisingly helped me reflect on my own life.

I discovered that snakes shed their skin to grow—a process that reminded me of the need to shed outdated beliefs and attitudes to make room for personal growth. Even though I may not love snakes any more than before, reading about them opened my mind and helped me reflect on my own need to evolve.

This kind of mental flexibility can be incredibly empowering. It encourages us to question long-held assumptions and be open to new ideas—even those that make us uncomfortable.

Dreamers are World Changers

As you begin to cultivate a more flexible mindset, remember that flexibility is key to pursuing your dreams. Being adaptable allows you to overcome obstacles, embrace new opportunities, and ultimately, reach your full potential.

Are you struggling to dream again? Do you feel stuck in your life right now? You’re not alone.

I’ve helped many people in similar situations find clarity, joy, and fulfillment in their lives. I’d love to help you too! To learn more about how you can join the Optometry Divas community, and develop a winning mindset, click HERE.

Remember, dreamers are world changers. Dare to dream! Dare to believe! Dare to take action today!

Take the Next Step

Flexibility is not just about adapting to changes; it’s about embracing them as part of the journey toward your dreams. You have the power to dream big, take risks, and shape your future. If you’re ready to dive deeper into overcoming Dream Killers, check out my eBook, 7 Dream Killers Preventing Your Success. It’s filled with actionable strategies to help you protect your dreams and keep moving forward.

Click HERE to get your copy of 7 Dream Killers Preventing Your Success today! And stay tuned for our next post in this series: Dream Killer #5 – Discouragement. Until then, remember to Dream Big, Take Risks, and become the CEO of YOU®!