Stop Being In The Container Of A Growth Mindset

“Be formless, be shapeless. Water can flow or water can crash. Be water my, my friend.” – Bruce Lee

Most have a fixation with a growth mindset. Yes, it sounds great. Until you discover you are still stuck even when you have applied the growth mindset way.

This leads to the eruption of dark and dense emotions inside you. They creep up on you when you least expect it and things get worse. Truth be said success, growth and change are not set. Restricting yourself in any kind of mindset container stops you from exploring and discovering your true potential (and the infinite possibilities that maybe).

It is not about a fixed mindset, growth mindset or any kind of mindset. The focus is to have a “mind-flow’. Mind-flow is like water. The fluid nature of “mind-flow” is incredibly powerful. As leaders and followers using the practical philosophy of water makes you realize "mind-flow" allows you to be conscious about your communication.

The act of communication is always happening. This could be with yourself or someone else. We must comprehend that:

• Communication can flow, in other words, it can be constructive and productive thus leading to success

• Communication can crash, in other words, it can be destructive and unproductive thus leading to failure

• Communication can be stagnant, in other words, it can be inactive and sluggish thus leading to foul outcomes

Thus, when you are in a state of conscious communication your ability to speak and listen enriches your relationships. Conscious communication gives you greater success in business, career and your personal life. It allows you to:

• Be more persuasive

• With greater ease eliminate conflicts or misunderstandings

• Listen without any preconceived ideas about what should or shouldn’t be said or done

Conscious communication is only possible when you are in “mind-flow”. To get into the state of “mind-flow” you require to focus on three core ingredients:

1. Shoshin – A Japanese word meaning “beginner’s mind”. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would. In other words, it means no matter how much experience you gain in life never let your judgment, pride and ego blind you. Listen to everyone empathically and remember even a foolish person can teach you many things.

2. Ikigai – Ikigai is a Japanese concept that roughly means "reason for being" or “thing that you live for” or “the reason for which you get up in the morning.” Everyone, according to the Japanese, has an Ikigai. Its essence is that happiness in life is not money, luxuries or being in the limelight. Ikigai simply says wants are never-ending. Stop asking yourself “What do I want?” Start asking yourself “What is important to me?” Ikigai allows you to improve your health, wealth and most importantly gives you your purpose in life. Susan Jeffers, in her book Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway® makes this easier for us by defining it as the "The Whole Life Grid". The nine-box grid with ease highlights the essential elements of a balanced and integrated life. Thus allowing you to see what is truly important to you. In this manner allowing you to manage your emotions more effectively.

3. Kintsugi – Also known as Kintsukuroi. It is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It is very easy to throw away or discard something that is broken as it may look ugly or repelling. Now imagine how many times you beat yourself help, have lost hope, trust or knowing of yourself. It makes you feel ugly and unwanted. Instead of trashing yourself to bits how about filling those cracks with powder of gold, silver, or platinum; called compassion, self-compassion. We have a great ability to shower others with compassion, it is time to show it yourself.

“Mind-flow” allows you to be versatile, flexible and adaptable in your approach. Your perspective shifts with greater ease while staying true to your inner values. Enable yourself to let go of being set but be in the flow.

There is nothing set about growth. Stop being in the container of a growth mindset, fixed mindset or any kind of mindset. Be in a state of "mind-flow". Be water, my friend.