What if it’s not your circumstances that are holding you back – but your thinking?
Of course, circumstances affect our lives – I’m not denying that.
But how you respond to your experiences is shaped by your mindset. You’re allowed to feel sad. You’re allowed to be angry. You’re even allowed to not want to change anything for a while. But if you stay in those feelings too long, you start getting used to that state. You slip into the role of the victim – and hand your power over to others.
If you truly want to change something, you have to start with your mindset.
We often talk about goals, vision boards, and new projects.
I write about them, too – because they’re powerful tools that can really help.
But even the best tips, tricks, and tools won’t do much if there’s still that quiet voice inside you saying:
“I can’t do this.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“Others are way ahead. I don’t stand a chance.”
That voice isn’t speaking the truth.
It’s a pattern you’ve learned – and you can unlearn it, too.
In this article, I’ll show you four powerful mindset shifts that can transform not just your thinking, but your entire life.
So let’s go! Enjoy the read. 😃
What does “mindset” even mean?
You’ve probably heard the term many times. Simply put:
Your mindset is how you see the world – and yourself.
It influences:
- how you talk to yourself
- how you deal with setbacks
- whether you believe in yourself – or shrink yourself down
Two people can go through the exact same situation – and react completely differently.
One grows from it.
The other breaks down.
The difference?
Not intelligence. Not luck.
Mindset.
1. You can (almost) always learn – really!
Maybe you’ve thought: “I’m just not cut out for this,” or “I’m not the type for that.” I’ve been there too – and I think many of us have.
At some point, we learn to believe that you either can do something or you can’t.
That some people are just more talented… and well, the rest of us should settle for less. 🤨
But that’s not true. Those are the beliefs of a fixed mindset – a way of thinking that assumes our abilities are already set in stone.
The truth is:
✨ You can learn. You can grow. You can change. ✨
I remember a lecture in developmental psychology where our professor said:
“With discipline and the right mindset, we can become outstanding in almost anything. Genetic advantages often play a much smaller role than we think.”
That stuck with me. 🤯
Of course, he said a lot more – but that’s probably the key takeaway for this article 😜
With a growth mindset, you think:
- “I just haven’t learned this yet.”
- “Mistakes are feedback.”
- “It’s okay to be a beginner.”
Just start – better imperfect than perfectly hesitant.
Train your courage, and don’t let your ego get in the way.
Tell yourself:
I’m allowed to learn. I don’t have to know it all – but I’m allowed to try it all.
2. Your past does not define your future
Just because something was hard in the past doesn’t mean it will always be that way.
In psychology, there’s a term for this: cognitive distortion – when we automatically project negative past experiences onto the future.
Just because something didn’t work out before doesn’t mean it will fail again now.
- You are not your mistakes.
- You are not your past.
- You are who you choose to be today.
Every day is a new opportunity – and you’re allowed to reinvent yourself again and again.
3. Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’ve failed – it means you’re brave
Children learn to walk by falling—again and again.
And every time, they get back up—without shame, without self-doubt.
But somewhere along the way, as adults, we forget that.
We start believing that failure is something to be ashamed of.
That we should’ve known better.
That we’re not good enough.
But that’s simply not true.
Mistakes show us that we’re in motion.
That we’re trying.
That we’re brave enough to not be perfect.
If you ever find yourself thinking:
“That was embarrassing.”
“I should’ve done better.”
“I’m just not good enough.”
Stop it!
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Mistakes are part of the process. They show you what’s working and what’s not. They are not proof that you’re not good enough. They have no influence on your worth.
And remember:
Your worth is not measured by your failures.
You’re allowed to mess up.
You’re allowed to learn.
You’re allowed to grow.
4. Don’t wait for motivation – start anyway
A lot of people believe they have to feel motivated before they can take action.
So they wait.
For the perfect moment.
For the right energy.
For a sudden burst of courage.
But what if that moment never comes?
What if the belief “I’m not ready yet” is the only thing standing in your way?
The truth is: motivation often comes after action.
You start doing something. You notice progress. That gives you energy. And suddenly, you feel motivated.
Motivation is like a visitor:
It comes and goes.
What stays is your choice to keep going anyway.
Start small.
Start messy.
Start unsure.
The first steps might feel awkward – but that’s not a bad sign. It just means you’re doing something new.
Give yourself permission to move – even if you don’t feel ready.
Change doesn’t wait for perfection.
You’re not too late
You’re not too old.
Not too behind.
Not too unprepared.
Not too anything.
You are exactly where you need to be to begin.
And you’re allowed to grow.
The two are not in conflict.
Change doesn’t start with a dramatic moment.
It starts with a quiet decision:
Today, I choose a new thought.
Today, I begin again.
And if you find yourself doubting tomorrow – come back to this.
Or simply remind yourself: you’ve already begun.
With love,
Liv
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