Your mindset determines how you interpret the events of your
life. Having the right mindset can be the difference between
anxiety and action or disaffection and drive.

You get to choose your mindset. You can even choose
different, complimentary mindsets at the same time to great
effect.

## The Growth Mindset

> Persistent, focused effort is the only path forward.

The research of [Dr. Carol Dweck][1] that identified the
benefits of the "growth mindset" has been widely publicized,
popularized, and—like many concepts in
pop-psychology—stretched beyond recognition in the process.
The core idea of the growth mindset is that if you believe
_achievement comes from effort and perseverance_ you will
continue to grow and improve over time–even when faced with
setbacks, challenges, and failure. If you focus on
performing actions in your control that keep you moving in
the right direction you will continue to grow and change
over time.

Instead, if you believe that your performance, aptitude, or
achievements are because you are a certain _kind of person_
or you _do not_ believe that making an effort can lead to
change, your potential for personal and professional growth
is limited.[^1] If labels like "smart", "gifted athlete",
and "good person" are a core part of your
identity—especially if you've held onto these ideas of
yourself since childhood—your attachment to these labels can
limit your performance.

Once a label becomes a part of your identity, preserving
that label becomes more important than challenging yourself.
You cannot keep improving without challenges.[^2] It has
also been demonstrated that people whose identity is
threatened by an event or circumstance are willing to lie in
order to preserve their self perception.

## The "Stress is Enabling" Mindset

> Stress prepares the body for action. Stress prepares the
> mind to focus.

The physiological manifestation of stress is rife with
unpleasant sensations. Your muscles tense. Your gut clenches
and churns. Your senses are on high alert. This is not how
we feel when we are still, relaxed, and at ease.

The "stress is enabling" mindset uses the sensations of
stress as a call to action. Your mind is ready to focus.
Your body is ready to perform. Step through the
unpleasantness, find the decisive action in this moment, and
channel your amplified abilities into taking the next step.

This reframing of stress is complementary to the growth
mindset. If success is achieved through directed effort and
stress amplifies the amount of effort at our disposal then
stress can be an ally. Capture, harness, and direct stress
or acknowledge it and move on; don't let it roam freely in
your mind.

## Call to Action

> Persistent, focused effort is the only path forward.
> Forward towards success. Forward towards mastery. Forward
> to stillness. Stress prepares the body for action. Stress
> prepares the mind to focus. Embrace it. Channel it. Step
> through it. Stop. Be still. What, in this moment, needs
> attention most? What is important _now_? Do it.

[^1]: This idea has been called a "fixed mindset" but I don't think that's a particularly helpful concept. A better name is "identity mindsets"—or just the converse of a growth mindset.
[^2]: It's like [progressive overload][2] for the mind.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Dweck
[2]: /health/training/#fundamentals