5 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Mindset When Taking On New Challenges

Life is full of challenges. Some people seem to meet every challenge with confidence, while others struggle to overcome them. The problem is that too often you might find yourself faced with the same challenges over and over again, and that is when you start to lose motivation to face the issue and you lose sight of the potential lesson. At that point, challenges can become problems that can spiral you into despair and frustration.

Understanding your mindset is essential in helping you to navigate any challenge with success. Even the word ‘challenge’ can be scary to some people. But challenges allow you to test your limits. They are also an opportunity for learning and growth. Try to forget about the outcome and enjoy the experience.

Here are five things you can to do improve your mindset when taking on new challenges:

1.) Take a breath.

Your breath is a powerful tool. You can use it to uplift and energize yourself. You can also use it to relax. For instance, it’s the first day of your new job and you are feeling apprehensive. You can change your body chemistry in seconds by taking a few deep breaths. When you are feeling anxious or nervous, your breathing is shallow. Shallow breathing has a negative effect on the body by sending a distress signal to the autonomic nervous system. With practice, you have the ability to cultivate a deep and even flow of breath. If you feel your breathing is shallow, pause: inhale deeply and slowly, then exhale. Just a few cycles of this can instantly change your mood and leave you feeling eager to start your day.

2.) Watch your thoughts.

One of the key ways to improve your mindset is to first understand it. Whatever you are about to take on, first take note of what you are telling yourself about this challenge. Watch your thoughts and notice when your mind is going down a negative spiral of ‘what ifs?’ When negative thoughts are dominating, catch yourself and then swap them out for positive ones.

3.) Acknowledge your fears.

While you can use your breath and your thoughts to prepare yourself for any challenge, it’s important to acknowledge any fears you may have. Ask yourself: is your fear due to a real or perceived threat? Ask what is the worst that can happen? Taking time to acknowledge your feelings will help you discern between real and imagined fear.

4.) Seek out support.

No matter what your challenge, chances are, you are not the first person to face it. Think back to a previous problem you solved with the help of your family or friends. There is usually ample support available, yet we often put up barriers to seeking support. Common barriers to seeking out help and support are feelings of being stigmatized, or fear of being embarrassed. It takes courage to reach out and ask for help. If you are not comfortable talking to family and friends, seek out support online or in your greater community. By asking for support, you will find others who are facing, or have faced, similar challenges to yourself. Learning from others will help to put your mind at ease when dealing with your challenge.

5.) Take the first step.

Taking the first smallest step and evaluating how you feel as you go, will help you to navigate any challenge in life. Nothing will occur until you take action. Taking small steps will cause you to break down any challenge into manageable pieces. It will also help build your confidence as you accomplish each step; thereby improving your mindset. Challenges are a natural part of life, and they typically cannot be avoided. Remember to enjoy and learn from whatever challenge comes your way.