Mindset Shift

   Hello Friends! Today I want to share with you something that has changed my life drastically, a mindset shift which I learned years ago. Have you ever looked at a problem, goal, dream, or difficulty in your life and thought, "There's no way that can happen." Or, "I just don't know how I could ever do that. It's impossible." That's how I used to feel too. I would look at my big dreams, goals, or challenges and think, "I just don't know how that could happen." 

  But my whole life opened up and changed for the better when I was taught to ask, "How can I?" You see, when we think, "I don't know how; it's impossible," or any of those other defeating phrases, our brains shut down and stop looking for ways to fulfill our dreams or get us out of the situation. But if we train ourselves to ask, "How can I?" we switch our brains into creative mode, and they immediately go to work on finding a solution. 

  Oftentimes, when something is difficult it requires us to think outside the box. When we ask, "How can I?" we get our brains working on the solution, and you will be surprised at how many times they can come up with an answer given enough thinking time and encouragement. I use this strategy often with my schedule and my finances. Here is an example. Perhaps I have a new habit I want to add in to my routine, but my day already feels filled to the brim. Before, I would have thought, "I wish I could start doing x, but there's just no way." Now, I ask myself, "How can I fit x into my schedule?" I will then start to look at ways of getting it done. Perhaps I can fit in this new habit by rearranging other parts of my day, but getting up earlier, or by putting it into unproductive time, like when I'm waiting to pick up my son from football. "How can I" operates from the expectation that it can be done. We just have to figure out the way. 

  This week, take some time to think about your challenges, dreams, and goals. Are there areas you have been limiting yourself in? How can applying the "How can I" mindset change some of these things for you? The world is full of possibilities. Make the mental shift from "I can't" to "How can I?" and see how many new opportunities open up for you. I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.