We Make Everything Harder - How We Make Things Harder for Ourselves and Transitioning from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset

We Make Everything Harder - How We Make Things Harder for Ourselves and Transitioning from a Fixed Mindset to a Growth Mindset

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves making things harder than they need to be. We add unnecessary thinking and stress, create extra steps, and procrastinate until the task becomes overwhelming. It's time to recognize these patterns and make a conscious effort to simplify our lives.

One common way we make things harder for ourselves is by adding a lot of extra thinking and stress. Let's say there's an email in our inbox that requires a few steps before we can reply. Instead of taking immediate action, we put it off because we believe we have too much to do. As a result, the email lingers in our inbox for days or even weeks, causing unnecessary stress. This behavior repeats with other emails, and soon we're overwhelmed by the sheer number of unfinished tasks.

Similarly, when we plan for social gatherings or events, we often fall into the trap of worrying and overpreparing. We imagine all the worst-case scenarios and spend excessive time and effort in anticipation. This not only adds unnecessary stress but also takes away the enjoyment and spontaneity of the event itself.

So, how can we make things easier for ourselves? One approach is to ask ourselves a few simple questions when faced with any task or challenge. Firstly, we should ask ourselves, "How am I making this harder?" By identifying the unnecessary complexities we've introduced, we can then find ways to simplify and streamline the process.

Secondly, we should ask, "How could I do it as simply and easefully as possible?" This question prompts us to seek the most efficient and straightforward approach. It encourages us to let go of perfectionism and embrace simplicity, allowing us to complete tasks more effortlessly.

Lastly, we should consider, "How would I do this if I trusted myself?" Often, our lack of confidence or fear of failure leads us to overthink and complicate matters. By shifting our perspective and trusting in our abilities, we can approach tasks with a growth mindset.

Speaking of mindsets, let's explore how transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset can also help us make things easier for ourselves. American psychologist Carol Dweck has extensively researched the two main mindsets we adopt when facing challenges.

In a fixed mindset, people believe that their intelligence and talent are fixed traits. They focus on proving their intelligence rather than developing it. Success, in their view, is solely dependent on innate abilities and doesn't require effort. This mindset limits growth and learning opportunities.

On the other hand, a growth mindset embraces the idea that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. It recognizes that intelligence and talent are just a starting point and that continuous learning and resilience are essential for achieving great accomplishments. With a growth mindset, we foster a love for learning and open ourselves up to new possibilities.

It's important to note that neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt, doesn't stop after childhood. Throughout our lives, connections within our brains are constantly being strengthened or weakened based on what we actively engage with. By adopting a growth mindset, we actively engage in learning and development, allowing our brains to continue growing and evolving.

In conclusion, we have a tendency to make things harder for ourselves by adding unnecessary complexities and overthinking. By asking ourselves the right questions and embracing a growth mindset, we can simplify our lives and approach challenges with ease. Here are three actionable tips:

• 1. Identify areas where you're making things harder and find ways to simplify and streamline the process.

• 2. Embrace simplicity and let go of perfectionism. Seek the most efficient and straightforward approach to tasks.

• 3. Adopt a growth mindset and believe in your ability to learn and grow. Embrace challenges as opportunities for development and success.

Remember, life doesn't have to be complicated. By making conscious choices and shifting our mindset, we can create a more easeful and fulfilling existence.