Your mindset is the one thing—above all else—that will determine your ability to achieve your goals. While you’ll hear all kinds of other variables contribute to goal achievement, such as self-discipline, social network, work ethic, etc., mindset trumps them all. With the proper mindset, every other asset you need for success becomes possible.
With the wrong mindset, you can have all those variables going for you, and none of them will matter. That’s why I believe you should periodically challenge your mindset in order to strengthen it. So, in this article, I’ll give you 11 impactful ways for you to do exactly that.
What is a Mindset
In its simplest form, a mindset is your expectation. It’s what you believe you’re capable of or what you think is possible for you. The keywords in that previous sentence being “believe” and “think.” Your mindset is the beliefs you carry around about yourself, other people, and the world around you.
As a result, it’s a key variable that will determine your actions, effort, and performance in any activity or goal you undertake.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Dr. Carol Dweck, a psychologist from Stanford University, introduced us to the framework of growth vs. fixed mindsets. Her work explores how success—in any undertaking—has more to do with your mindset than intelligence, money, connections, etc.
Let’s see how growth and fixed mindset differ by closely examining each.
Growth Mindset
People with a growth mindset believe effort and hard work can have a profound impact on their skills, basic abilities, and future success. In other words, they believe they can do and be better. As a result, they lace into their goals, turning challenges into opportunities.
Some qualities of a growth mindset include:
- Anticipation of challenges
- Open to feedback and criticism
- Inspired by other people’s success
- Positive attitude toward life
- Sense of positive direction
A growth mindset is your biggest ally, and the cool thing is that anyone can develop it. Even if you’ve lived with a fixed mindset your whole life, you can swing to the other side of the pendulum. And in a moment, I’ll show you how with 11 ways to challenge your mindset.
But first, we have to explore what the fixed mindset entails as well.
Fixed mindset
A fixed mindset is the exact opposite of a growth mindset. Someone with a fixed mindset believes that one’s capabilities are inherent and unchangeable. For this reason, they hold the worldview that success and failure are largely the result of innate ability rather than work ethic, self-discipline, and perseverance. This often limits their growth and potential.
Some traits of someone with a fixed mindset include:
- Avoids challenges due to fear of failure
- Takes criticism as a personal slight
- Quits on their goals easily and repeatedly
- Threatened by the success of other people
- Believes skills and intelligence are fixed traits
- Afraid of making mistakes
A fixed mindset compromises growth and stunts capabilities. As a result, it’s important to recognize when you have a fixed mindset and take corrective action to shift to a growth mindset. And the best way to do that is to challenge your thinking.
11 Powerful Ways To Challenge Your Mindset
Now, for the practical side of things, how do you actually challenge your mindset to strengthen it? I’ve got some suggestions. Here are 11 actionable ways to strengthen your mentality.
1. Change your story
You could classify this tip under the category of “positive self-talk”
However, I don’t like calling it that, as it feels like some cheesy self-help, after-school special. So, I refer to it as “changing your story.” Look, what you say to yourself matters. In fact, one study reported that people’s confidence and performance suffered due to self-criticism.
How you speak to yourself has a direct connection to what you think and believe.
As a result, you need to change your narrative to challenge your mindset. This can be difficult, as oftentimes, we’re so ingrained in a particular line of thinking that we don’t even notice that it’s negative or how it impacts us.
2. Set realistic and achievable goals
Goals, big or small, are the bridges that help you go from a weak to a strong mind.
Why? Because they force you to grow beyond your current limitations and, as a result, help you to realize more of your potential. In order to achieve something you’ve never achieved, you have to become someone you’ve never been.
Having a clear set of realistic and achievable goals challenges you to step into the unknown and expand your capacity as a person.
And here’s the best part: Your goals don’t need to be colossal ambitions.
You don’t need to do polar plunges, compete in Ironman Triathlons, or scale Mount Everest. In fact, quite the opposite is true: even little goals like drinking more water, waking up early, or unplugging from social media are great ways to challenge your mindset.
3. Identify fear and resistance
Fear is the biggest culprit that creates resistance between people and their dreams.
Fear of failure, fear that you’re not enough, fear of being judged, fear of change, fear of rejection, fear of getting hurt, and so on. All of these fears create mental blocks that will hold you back and keep you playing it safe.
To challenge your mindset, you need to identify your particular fear and (here comes the uncomfortable part that you already know you have to do) face it head-on.
A good strategy for conquering fear is to do something every day that exposes you to it.
For example, I take daily cold showers. As of this writing, I’ve been practicing this habit for four years. And it’s been one of the best things that has helped me face my fears and become bolder in my life.
4. Expose yourself to new thoughts and ideas
You have to change the input if you want a better output.
As a result, it’s important to expose yourself to new ideas, thoughts, and concepts. This is why the self-help world constantly touts the necessity of surrounding yourself with higher-quality individuals who are ahead of you in life.
These people can expose you to new ideas and ways of thinking that you would never have had access to otherwise.
I recommend getting a coach in person. The internet is a great learning tool. However, there’s something to be said about actually knowing someone who’s achieved success. Success feels more real and tangible when you have a physical role model to emulate and look up to.
Moreover, the advice, ideas, and suggestions they share with you will hit harder and be more potent.
And the reason is that A) it will be tailored to you, and B) the relationship you build with this person (and the rapport that comes with it) will make you take their advice more seriously.
5. Practice calculated hardships
Former U.S. Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and triathlon athlete David Goggins says, “Do something that sucks every day.” I agree with this philosophy.
In fact, I refer to it as calculated hardships.
It means deliberately incorporating challenges into your daily routine to strengthen your character and help you develop a positive mindset. Calculated implies that you’re intentional about the challenge—it’s not too difficult yet not too easy, either.
You want to find the middle ground when you’re challenged but not overwhelmed; that line will differ for everyone.
As mentioned earlier in the article, I take a cold shower every day. As of this writing, I’ve been practicing this calculated hardship for four years. And it’s been one of the best practices for strengthening my discipline.
However, that’s just what works for me. A daily cold shower might be too drastic for some people, and that’s fine. For you, it may be physical activity or a mindset challenge.
Figure out a calculated hardship that works for you.
6. Set a major ambition
So far, we’ve considered the importance of setting small and achievable goals.
And that’s a great place to start; however, if you really want to challenge your mindset, then at some point, you’re going to have to do something big. Maybe it’s running a marathon, writing a book, or solo traveling. Whatever it happens to be, setting a major ambition in your life can move the needle in a big way.
Of course, this step should be reserved once you’ve built up some self-trust through the more minor challenges.
7. Take time to reflect
Not enough people take time to reflect on their own beliefs, values, and direction.
Now, I’m not calling the kettle black because I’m certainly guilty of this, too. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day nuances of life, forgetting to breathe for a minute to reassess. But the truth is that taking time to reflect is critical.
It allows you to reevaluate things and, if necessary, change directions.
Sometimes, the best way to challenge your mindset is to simply take a moment to think about what you’re doing, the direction it’s taking you in, and the outcomes you’re generating as a result.
If you’re satisfied with the status quo, then keep on keeping on.
However, if you feel less than excited about your current path and how things are panning out, then make a shift. Change something. Challenge your current trajectory and line of thinking.
Journaling is a simple exercise that can help with this process.
8. Shift your routine
Your daily routine is one of the most powerful forces in your life.
It gives you a sense of rhythm, provides psychological stability, and becomes your foundation to stand on. No one is a bigger proponent of daily routines than me. Yet I’ll be the first to tell you that they can sometimes become stifling at times.
The solution? Shift things up periodically.
I’m not saying you skip your workouts or forgo healthy eating. Instead, try shifting the order of your daily habits; this can challenge your mindset by adding variety and spontaneity to your routine.
You don’t always need to revolutionize everything about your life to challenge yourself. Sometimes, a new shuffle to your old routine is enough to do the trick.
9. Question your biases
We all have our personal biases toward the world and other people.
It’s a natural part of human nature. These biases can be both good and bad. On the positive front, they simplify our thinking so that we can make sense of the world around us. Conversely, on the negative side, they can stifle us with narrow-minded perceptions and viewpoints.
As a result, a good way to challenge your mindset (to ensure it doesn’t hinder your growth) is to question your assumptions and biases.
Ask yourself why you believe certain things about certain people (or even about yourself). A good thought exercise is to challenge these biases. For example, you could give yourself a 100-day challenge, practicing a new habit or ritual that goes against your current identity for 100 consecutive days.
This will allow you to challenge your self-perception and mold a new self-image, one that is more aligned with your goals and who you want to become.
10. Solo travel to a foreign country
In 2023, I sold all my possessions and flew to Southeast Asia (by myself) to train in martial arts at some of the world’s best combat sports academies.
It was an experience I’ll never forget. I learned so much about people, other cultures, and even myself. But most importantly, I challenged my mindset by pushing myself to do something I’d never done before.
This forced me to change, grow, and adapt.
Solo travel is one of the best ways to challenge your mindset. It expands your thinking, changes your perspective, and introduces you to the person you are beneath the surface. They say, “If you ever want to know who you really are, travel to a foreign country by yourself.”
I couldn’t agree more. This is probably the most intimidating way to challenge your mindset on the list; however, it can also be the most powerful by far.
11. Practice gratitude and generosity
Sometimes, the most challenging things are also the most simple.
I know I still fall short on this one at times, but I’m getting better. Gratitude means appreciating what you already have, which, if you’re living in The West, is much more than you think. If you have a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in at night, and food in your refrigerator, you’re doing better than most people in the world.
And generosity is using your surplus to pour into others.
I recently started tithing 10% of my income to my church, and I also give to those less fortunate when I can. However, another recent realization I’ve made is that generosity doesn’t always encompass financial resources. It could also be your time (volunteering), your gifts (doing free work), or even a simple compliment to someone.
You can stretch and challenge your mindset by being grateful and generous with what you already have.
Final Thoughts
These methods to challenge your mindset involve the simple philosophy of stepping outside of your comfort zone. The more you move from the confines of comfort, the more you’ll grow and develop. And the best part is that I’m here to help. If you want more actionable self-improvement advice, sign up for The Motivated And Disciplined Newsletter below.
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