We all have heard it before! Our biggest enemy is our own taught about ourselves sometimes. From a more scientific approach, “the mind dedicatees and the body follows”. This famous quote shows how important our thoughts, feelings, and mindset plays critical role in achieving our goals.
Mindset is a mental state that influences how we get things done. There are two types of mindsets: a fixed and a growth mindset.
A growth mindset is defined as: “the belief you can develop your natural abilities by working hard and listening to advise from others” (Oxford University, 2022).
An example of a growth mindset is having the philosophy that you can improve anything with time and effort.
A growth mindset is essential in nutrition due to clients who want to seek change in overall well-being, health, goals, food patterns, or lifestyle. A growth mindset doesn’t just help in nutrition. It can be the difference between getting a raise, being a better human being, improving as a professional athlete, and becoming successful. The main three features of a growth mindset are:
“some skills unlock other skills”,
“growth mindset helps individual thrive with stress and pressure”, and
“growth mindset makes sense”( Precision Nutrition, 2022).
A fixed mindset is the opposite of that belief. One’s innate abilities are fixed and cannot be improved simply by working hard or listening to the advice of others.
An example of a fixed mindset is: I’m having a rough day at work so I’m not going to go to the gym and try to focus on my goal of losing 5 pounds in 3 months. Instead, I’m going to eat fast food for the entire week. A growth mindset will acknowledge that it is a bad day but still focus on the end goal and make it to the gym. Now you’re not only making healthier decisions but always managing stress as a form of working out.
Everything runs through our minds. How we respond can positively or negatively impact our health. Our perception of reality can impact the way we handle stress and is going to play a significant impact in health and can lead to disease or disorders. Think about whether you have a fixed or growth mindset in everyday scenarios (e.g., health, relationships, family, work, etc.).
Below I listed a fun exercise so you can try to determine which type of mindset you have. Give yourself a score from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree.) The higher your score, the more of a growth mindset you have. The pros of taking these exercises to understand how we think of ourselves. Or when difficult situations can often prevent us from achieving whatever goals we set for ourselves.
Strongly disagree (1) ———– (5) Strongly Agree
- See setbacks and obstacles as opportunities.
- We actively seek opportunities to challenge ourselves.
- When I get feedback on something, I value it and try to use it.
- It can be hard at times, but I enjoy the process of evolution and growth.
- I don’t always get what I want, but I enjoy the journey. When something goes wrong, I try to find out why and learn from it.
/ 30 points
Now that you completed the activity and regardless if you scored high or low there is always room for improvement. Now if you catch yourself thinking how can I improve my score then you’re on the right path to a growth mindset. Understanding we as human beings are not perfect and there’s always room for improvement is a great mindset to be. Here are a couple of examples we can apply to our daily routine to create small changes through action, planning, and skills.
- Do you believe that you can eat more vegetables, with a little effort?
- And do you believe that you can walk 10 minutes a day, with a little effort?
- Do you believe that you can try some basic meal planning, with a little effort?
Knowing which type of mindset you have is essential to planning and preparing how you respond before you encounter obstacles.
There is always room for improvement and becoming aware how we respond in critical situation can be the difference in achieving your goals. Now if you or don’t have real physical goals doesn’t mean you don’t have to apply changes to your daily routine. Creating small habits to your daily routine can be the different in dealing with stress, creating or unlocking new skills, and everyday scenarios (e.g., health, relationships, family, work, etc.).
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If you like to make changes to your daily routine, practice more growth mindset techniques, looking for accountability. Please Reach-out via Trainerize and I will get back too you within 24 hours. Or through instagram @EliteRubi.
With Gratitude,
Christian Rubi Personal Trainer| Coach| Precision Nutritionist Specialize: Bodybuilding, Precision Nutrition, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility, Pre/Post Natal
Elite Rubi
