Popular 'Mindset' advice that actually worked for me:

Welcome back to my Newsletter and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed reading the previous article. It is my desire to write more and better this year, and, in that endeavor, I present to you the second article of the year. We are all bombarded with information and advice by people that surround us, the books we read and social media. Very often we end up more confused than being informed and ready to take action. Identifying that there needs to be someone who enjoys experimenting and filter out advice that is useful, I decided to pen an article where I list 8 popular that went beyond being great philosophy and actually worked for me.

Here we go:

1. Showing up on your commitment consistently is a sure shot way to build self- confidence - I heard this recently and it changed how I perceived consistency. Consistency can get super overwhelming as a concept when everyone throws it around so frequently. However, understanding that confidence is a form of trust and whether it’s a trust in oneself or someone else, it is often an outcome of how well people deliver on their promises. For example, someone commits to doing something and continues to default on their commitment regularly, chances are that you will lose trust or confidence in them. That is exactly how self-confidence works as well. Once we start showing up for ourselves, our belief and self-confidence starts to strengthen in all areas of life. Because how we do one thing is how we do everything!
2. Physically moving when feeling anxious, low or depleted is a great way to shift your focus from dismay to possibilities - The moment I came across this advice, I knew I had to try it out because, well, I had nothing to lose.??As a dancer, one of my gifts is to be able to use movement as a form of self-expression. Every time I feel stuck in my head, I make it a point to move, either through dance, going for a walk or a run or by lifting weights. The serotonin and dopamine release, the feeling of accomplishment put me into a mood far better than what I started with.
3. Any significant improvement or change you observe in people or self is an outcome of ‘Compounding’ of infinitesimally small improvements over time - Small steps bring about big changes. Whether it’s someone’s academic success, career progression, physical transformation, wealth generation, everything is an outcome of regularly investing in the activity. While the investment might seem small during the time it is being performed, the compounding effect is significant.
4. Accepting that our life is like seasons is one of the most beautiful ways to experience contentment - This is one of the most recent and life changing lessons that I have come across. Our life comprises of seasons of growth, adaption, rest, reflection and stability. Each of them are equally important and it stems from the idea of ‘Surrendering’. You may have identified certain times in your life where you feel like no matter how much you try to work hard your system forces you to rest. It is the nature’s way of asking you to take time off and rest.
5. How people treat others is often a reflection of how they feel about themselves - I’m sure you’ve heard this time and again, but I wanted to add to that perspective. At work, colleagues and bosses that feel secure in their capabilities will offer you an opportunity to grow, will compliment your work without inhibitions, be comfortable with their limitations that you as a team member compensate for without feeling threatened. Even in situations outside of work, it is important to understand that people often project their insecurities and limiting beliefs on others. Imagine sharing a brilliant idea and some goal with a friend or a relative and them telling you it’s practically impossible because their limiting beliefs don’t allow them to envision what you do, happens often?
6. Action breeds motivation which fuels further action - Living a balanced life is often about identifying activities and approaches that bring us meaning and then trying to ensure that we get those on a regular basis. While initial motivation can kick start action, it truly requires continuing that action on a regular basis to build momentum. This momentum is usually what ensures that we do the things that are good for us, even on our busiest days. That takes me to my next point.
7. 'I get to do this' mindset >>> 'I have to do this' mindset - I know you've heard this quite a lot, especially if you belong to the same generation as I do. Honestly, the first time I heard this one, I wasn't really convinced. However, I decided to try it out and it greatly improved my relationship with everything I do. It helped me see my regular tasks in new light, with an undercurrent of gratitude and most importantly of the mindset of having a choice to do them. It was something I genuinely needed to own the level up in my life and career and I am glad I embraced it at the right time.
8. The opposite of 'Rest' is not 'Hardwork', it is Burnout! - Again, a massive, massive mindset change that helped me find 'My Balance'. We've often been taught to work hard in order to achieve our goals, and while it is partly right, there is not much said traditionally about when we should be taking a pause, stepping back, resting and recovering. Understanding this difference helped me ensure that as an individual and as someone that leads a team, resting is an extremely important part of 'Hardwork' and not the opposite of it. It is extremely important to take your weekend resting and recovery as seriously as you take focused, hard work on your weekdays. That is the only way to sustain and grow.

This is how I unwind over the weekend, writing, expressing through words or movement, reading and spending time with family & friends. If you enjoyed reading this one, do let me know. You can also share topics or titles that you would like me to explore as a part of my newsletter.

Thank you for reading.

Ashwini :)