When you approach failure, do you approach it as a moment to learn or a moment of chaos and destruction? Do you let that failure define you as a person, or do you let it guide you to be better — to do better? Do you live life with a fixed mindset vs growth mindset?
The truth is we’ll all fail in life. There’s no way around it, no way to prevent it, and no way to avoid it. In fact, the more you try to prevent failure, the more likely you are to be face-to-face with it. That’s why it’s not so much how often you fail, but how well you bounce back and learn from it.
A large part of that will boil down to your mindset and how you treat that mindset on a daily basis. For this quick exercise, I want you all to visualize a rock and a clay because some of us treat our minds and mindset like a rock, while others treat it like clay. One promotes limitations, while the other promotes freedom.
So, should you treat your mind like clay or a rock?
The short answer to this question is you should treat your mind and mindset like clay — not a rock. Why? Well, clay can be forged into any shape and any form you want. A rock, on the other hand, is what it is — the only way you’re going to change its shape is by destroying it.
Those that treat their mind like clay are able to view failure as a moment to grow, a moment to learn, and a moment to be better. They’re able to accept challenges, face adversity, and thrive when situations get tough. They view the task as failed, but don’t view themselves as a failure.
On the other hand, those that treat their mind like a rock only view failure as a roadblock — one that has no escape. They limit themselves; they give up in the face of adversity, and they feel their potential is predetermined. There’s no being better because they are who they are.
Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset
This simple difference is the same difference between a fixed mindset (rock) and a growth mindset (clay). One side of the equation will fail, get back up, and continue forward until they succeed (growth). The other side will fail, give up, and never reach their true potential (fixed).
If you treat your mind like a rock, you need to learn how to shift your mindset and treat it like clay. It’s not always an easy task, but it’s one that will change your life for the better — forever.
It’ll allow you to not only do better and be better but allow you to show the world (and yourself!) what you’re truly capable of. With a fixed mindset, you’re stuck. With a growth mindset, you’re free — you’re impervious. You’ll continue to surprise yourself and continue to improve. In fact, you’ll make those around you better, more motivated, and more driven.
If you’re interested in learning how to shift your mindset and start treating your mind like clay — opposed to a rock — I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out to Daniel Stillman and we’ll uncover more about yourself than you’ve ever known. I can’t wait to hear your story!