1. Urgent vs Important
Things that are important are things I’ve already said “yes” to regardless of what else comes up.
My family is the most important thing to me, so when the end of the workday comes around and a few things still haven’t been done, I still go home to my family. Family is important, an email was urgent. Important wins over urgent every time.
Another example, I have prioritized working out daily so the choice has already been made. I’m not making a decision every day to make it happen or not. If something urgent comes up that day, it has to work around what I’ve already decided is important.
2. Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset
Growth mindset says, “I have potential and I can grow”. It’s not about being it’s about becoming. A fixed mindset says, “I’m stuck in my situation, and I’m limited”. It gives you a lid based on genetics or upbringing or financial situation. You can accomplish big things if you work hard.
3. Obstacles vs Opportunities
The goal is not to avoid obstacles, it’s to see them coming and conquer them. See all the paths around the obstacle, instead of putting your focus on the obstacle. See everything as an opportunity because without resistance there is no growth. The tendency is to focus on hardships and complain. But the more you complain the more things you see to complain about. And it’s contagious.
4. Can’t vs Won’t
Anytime you say “I can’t” replace that with “I won’t” or I am choosing not to” and watch how it changes what you do or say. Stop saying “I can’t get up on time”. Say “I choose not to get up on time” and then you realize that it really is in your own control. Don’t say “I can’t cut out junk food” and start saying “I won’t cut out junk food” because the reality is that you can. Then you can own it. You are in control of more than what you probably realize.
5. Have To vs. Get To
It’s a simple matter of gratitude, and it’s too easy to see the negative side of things that are actually blessings in your life. It’s easy to say “I have to go pick up my kids from school”, but try to switch that to “I get to pick up my kids because I have the privilege of having kids”. Don’t say “I have to bring in the groceries”, but understand that you get to have an abundance of food in your house.
So, win the battles in your mind. Win them every single day. And when you’re winning the mental battles, you’re winning everywhere else.
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