Have a Growth Mindset

I am only 26 years old, not making a ton of money, and living with my parents so I would be lying to you if I said I was an expert at being successful. However, I do have some small victories that I'd like to say put me on the success side of the radar:

• I manage to get myself through college after the financial aid system failed me.

• I have a wonderful job that I am excited to go to every morning.

• I am surrounded by great friends who are making differences in our community.

• I am paying all my bills including: phone bill, rent, insurance, 3 credit cards (never making that mistake again) and 2 student loans.

I know I don't know all the answers to success, but I can share some techniques I follow that have gotten me this far in life where I am happy and still hungry for success.

Define: Growth Mindset

I've always been that person who asks a million questions to learn "how can I do more" "How can I get better". It wasn't about until two years ago while listening to a Lewis Howes' podcast The School of Greatness I heard these two words that I would religiously follow everyday.

Have a Growth Mindset

It's great when I share these words with friends and coworkers and they ask me, "what does that even mean?". I get soooo excited as I explain how having a growth mindset is simply just allowing and even encouraging yourself to learn new things and be teachable. You may ask what would I learn or teach myself? Honestly the answer is anything. Some would believe learning is only what you do while in school, but learning is something we should encourage ourselves to do everyday.

Even if your not a handyman or someone who likes to get their hands dirty like myself, you would agree that the best tool kits are the ones with the most tools. No one wants just a wrench and screw driver. What happens if you need a hammer or an allen wrench, or even some needle nose pliers!?

IDK is NOT a Good Answer

Hearing someone say "I don't know how to do that" as an excuse to not completing a job is probably the biggest pet peave of mine. We are so fortunate to live in a world where you can teach yourself almost anything and everything! By the great powers of Youtube, I taught myself how to use Adobe Photoshop, Audition, and Premier. So if you ever need a hype video, I GOTCHU!

When you limit yourself to "I don't know, so I can't", you have devalued yourself not because you admitted to not having a certain skill, but your unwillingness to learn.

I know enlarging, underlining, and bolding that sentence is a little extra but I CAN NOT stress "being willing to learn" enough. If Wix.com had a highlight tool, I would highlight that shit too!

Put in the Time and Effort!

Rome was built in a day and you didn't come out of your mother's womb being the genius you are today. It took time and it took effort.

As adults we get so caught up in getting the job done we don't spend the time to put in 110%. I'm guilty of this, but when I have the opportunity to learn a new skill set I'm try, even if it means a project will take a little more time.

The reason I do this, is not so I become this superwoman that knows everything, but because I like to learn still and it makes me more valuable to my employer, to my community, and to my friends and family. Not only that, but it is so empowering to say "I got it" or "I can do that".

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

Everyone knows that saying "Practice Makes Perfect". However, for myself that saying was completely removed from my vocabulary as my high school color guard instructor (shout out Sarah Loving!) would say "Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!" when she would notice someone taking short cuts with their technique. Simply it means don't learn a technique incorrectly because it's harder to stop and overcorrect. Same goes for habits.

Sometime we take short cuts to get the job done faster, but sometimes that cuts us short when completing a tasks. It leaves room for error and sometimes the finished product looks sloppy. So I encourage when learning a knew skill set or using an old skill, give your full effort every time.

Even though I am still don't know all of life's secrets to achieve a dept free and successful, I know with my willingness to learn I'll get there as some point.