Reconfigure your mindset and plan for success

For many of us, 2020 was a hugely disruptive year – a period in which some of us lost control over the things we took for granted; our jobs, our income, our safety and security and the general direction in which our life was going. It may not have been ideal, but at least we knew what it was.

Now, as we begin a new year, it’s time to take stock, to reset what we want in life and focus on how we are going to achieve it.

To help us through this challenging next step, Resimax Group’s Steven Molnar has invited life coach, Nina Concepcion, to join him to discuss the simple and practical things we can do to prepare for what lies ahead.

Nina starts the discussion with a blunt reality check: “Acknowledge 2020 for what it is and the impact it has had on your life. Release your emotions and with it, some of your stress will subside. This is the essential starting point if we are going to move forward and retake control of our lives”.

In doing so, look at what was good and, together with the not-so-good, what lessons can we take from these recent experiences. “Be kind to yourself”, says Nina. “It’s OK to feel overwhelmed by the impact of external events, but your best response is not to feel like you are a victim; this will just make matters worse”.

Your Personal Life Plan

To create a way forward, you should start to develop a personal life plan because, without a plan, you will not be able to go beyond the ‘here and now’. Your mindset is the framework upon which you build your path to achieve your goals. So clearly shaping your mindset is your down-payment on your investment in yourself.

The discussion continues: Your mindset is how you interpret the world. There’s a positive and a negative side to everything and your experience in life helps you identify each. Looking for the positive along the spectrum of a particular event or circumstance becomes a very powerful starting point for your personal plan.

The Quality of Your Questions

Let’s now analyse this a bit further. To find this positive point, take the time to ask yourself some hard, honest questions. Questions about what you have experienced, how you have responded, what you have learnt and what you can do to factor the positives into your next-step plans. Remember, the quality of your questions (to yourself) determines the quality of your answers.

To keep it simple, the panel suggests we all ask ourselves questions under the following key areas.

React or Respond

If we have merely reacted to a negative experience, we have learnt nothing, and our next step will be a repeat of our last. If we consider what has happened and respond with ‘What have I learnt that will benefit me from here on?’ then we are on our way to building a next-step plan that will take us where we want to go.

This framing psychology is what is sometimes called a ‘Glass half full, glass half empty’ view of life. The glass half full person sees opportunity, not despair, and is grateful for the gems of positivity that they now take forward into their personal life plan.

Resilience

It is sometimes said, ‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’. This may seem harsh to someone who has been knocked down hard. But if you are able to ask yourself ‘What can I take from this and make part of my response?’, then you have learnt a valuable lesson that is uniquely yours.

Identity and Values

This is so important. If you ask yourself, ‘What do you stand for?’, and cannot find the answer, then you will be at the mercy of the forces and influences around you and be unable to respond to your need to plan a way forward.

By asking yourself this question, you are seeking your identity, which then gives you genuine integrity. With integrity comes power to stand in the face of adversity and know you are right. And that’s such a positive, powerful feeling; to know that you have purpose and passion. It’s your soul leading you to a meaningful and purposeful life – starting now!

It’s also the key to giving you access to the things that fulfill you. It’s karma – what you put out comes back to reward you many times over.

Actions

All these wonderful benefits of seeking out positivity from adversity can only happen if you take action. Your desire to achieve your goals will remain just a dream if you don’t make a meaningful plan and take action.

Action Starts Now!

So, to summarise:

• Acknowledge what has happened to you in 2020.
• Actively look for the good things and the things you have learnt.
• Think about the person you want to become, and why.
• Write down your new identities in each part of your life followed by your ‘why’, and then your written goals for each part.
• Take action today. Start with baby steps and reward yourself frequently as you move forward.

A final tip from Nina, “Make yourself accountable to someone – share the plan, your why, and your progress on your goals. Doing so regularly will reinforce your reason for doing it. You’ll also find encouragement by not trying to do everything solo”.

You’re now on your way to a new, stronger, more resilient and more motivated you, with achievable goals in sight. Well done, congratulations!