Mindset Mastery
Month 1 - Foundation for Growth - Self-Awareness & Goal-Setting
Mastering our minds is not something we were ‘taught’ in school. Honestly, I never even thought I could control my mind, never mind master it. I thought we were just the way we are and that’s that.
Through my own trials and tribulations, I was faced with countless obstacles. I had to figure something out or succumb to anxiety and fear. This is when I started to study psychology and philosophy. Through this, martial arts and life experience and misfortune, I began to understand that the mind could either be your prison, or your paradise.
There are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge. Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought.
-Napoleon Hill
I’ve designed this program to be progressive. It is designed to help you build a foundation for improving your mindset. Through this program, you will be able to achieve things you never thought possible. You will begin to know yourself more intimately. You will gain control of your mind.
The way in which you should follow this program is as follows;
Take one exercise per week. Fully focus and repeat daily.
Build upon the exercise with the next week’s exercise.
Don’t just stop doing the exercises once the week us up. The idea is to compound these actions and build daily habits.
Ask questions in the the group ‘Notes’.
Share your wins!
Let’s begin!
The first week we will start off easy. However, this is one of the most important exercises in the whole program.
Week 1
Introduction to Mindset Mastery
Exercise 1: Journaling Session
Spend 15 minutes reflecting on your current mindset. What are your beliefs about your abilities, limitations, and potential? Write down any patterns you notice.
You do not need to write perfectly. Do not worry about feeling like you have nothing of ‘value’ to write down. Simply put pen to paper and write what comes to your head.
Personally, I write in sentences. Yet, when I find my thoughts to be racing, they turn to bullet points and sketches to help me visualise what is racing through my mind.
This will help you slow down eventually and have something of ‘substance’ on paper.
Thoughts are much easier to manage when you have them written down.
If you are struggling with above question, here are some prompts that break it down. Also, you don’t have to answer each one in one sitting. Maybe take a day per question. A morning and an afternoon. I carry my journal everywhere so that even when I got to the local coffee shop, I can journal at anytime.
What specific skills or abilities do you believe you excel at?
What skills or talents have contributed to past successes in your life?
Is there an area in your life where you feel limited, held back or stuck? What beliefs do you have that contribute to this feeling?
Are there things you have just accepted you can never do or accomplish? Why?
Are there areas where you feel you're not living up to your full potential? What factors contribute to this perception?
Look at your beliefs about abilities, limitations, and potential together. Do you notice any patterns or contradictions?
How have your beliefs influenced your choices and actions in the past? Have they helped or hindered your progress?
Imagine a scenario where you fully embraced your positive beliefs about abilities and potential. How would your life be different? What steps can you take to move in that direction?
Exercise 2: Define Your Vision
Write a detailed description of where you see yourself in one year. What accomplishments have you achieved? How has your mindset evolved?
This exercise will be critical to developing your mindset. You need to have an idea of what it is you want, who you want to be and why you want it.
Here are a few questions that will help guide you to defining your vision.
Where do you want to be one year from today?
What does your life look like? Describe your daily activities, surroundings, clothes you wear, food you eat… everything! Having as much detail here as possible will help you truly envision it.
What have you accomplished one year from today?
What emotions are you feeling?
How have you changed?
What skills have you learned and knowledge have you gained over this past year?
In what ways have you stepped out of your comfort zone and had exponential growth?
What challenges have you overcome and how did they shape your character?
Who are the people in your life?
Who are your supporters and those whom you choose to surround yourself after this year?
How do these relationships align with your vision? Consider both existing and new connections.
The habit of journalling is one that I have always highly recommended. Through journalling, I have come up with the best ideas, healed parts of myself and also called myself out on my bullsh*t!
Journalling is a way of having an intimate conversation with yourself. It helps you strategically organise your thoughts and offload the heavier ones for a time.
The mental clarity you gain from the simple act of writing intentionally is astounding.
Let me and everyone else know how you have found these in the group chat!
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable.
-Seneca
Week 2
Goal setting and Clarity
We all have goals. Even if we don’t realise it, I believe we have all had something we have wanted to work towards. Good grades in school, passing a job interview, getting in shape or winning a sports tournament.
However, I for one was not the kind of person to strategically set goals. They were more of an idea, wish or even a dream.
See, when you take your dreams and intentionally make a plan, they are now goals.
Goals can be achieved. You just need a plan and to know how to set them.
There are two types of goals that I like to speak about. They are as follows:
Outcome goals: They are about the end result and not the steps to get you there.
Process goals: These are the actions which you take to get you from A to B. They are more about how you do something rather than the end result you want.
Now that you know the different goals that you can set, let’s look at the first exercise of week 2 to help you set your goals.
Exercise 1: SMART Goals
This is an acronym that we use to help us set our goals.
-Specific: What will you achieve? What will you do?
-Measurable: What data will you use to decide whether you've met the goal?
-Achievable: Do you have the right skills and resources?
-Relevant: Does the goal align with your vision?
-Time bound: What is the deadline for accomplishing the goal?
Set three SMART goals for the next six months that align with your vision.
Exercise 2: Values Alignment
What are values?
Values are the personal qualities we embody and use to help guide us in our actions, who we want to be and how we interact with the rest of the world.
Values are simple, fundamental beliefs that we hold.
List your top five values (e.g., growth, freedom, family). Reflect on how well your current goals align with these values.
Here are some examples of common values.
Integrity: Acting honestly and ethically, even when no one is watching.
Respect: Treating others with consideration and honoring their feelings, opinions, and boundaries.
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, and showing compassion.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for one's actions and commitments.
Courage: Facing challenges, adversity, or fear with bravery and determination.
Authenticity: Being true to oneself, and expressing thoughts, feelings, and beliefs honestly.
Kindness: Acting with benevolence and goodwill towards others.
Equality: Treating all individuals fairly and without discrimination.
Collaboration: Working together and valuing the contributions of others to achieve shared goals.
Growth: Constantly seeking personal and professional development and improvement.
Do your actions match your values? Think hard on this.
Our values are like points on a compass. If you were lost and had a compass, you could use it to see if you were, in fact, moving in the direction you wanted to be.
-Robert D. Zettle
Week 3
Cultivating Self-Awareness
Exercise 1: Daily Reflection
Set aside 10 minutes each evening to reflect on your day. What went well? What challenges did you face? How did your mindset influence your actions and reactions?
Exercise 2: Strengths and Weaknesses Assessment
Identify your top strengths and weaknesses. How can you leverage your strengths to overcome your weaknesses?
Exercise 3: Challenge your beliefs
Identify one limiting belief you hold about yourself. Collect evidence that contradicts this belief. Write a more empowering belief to replace the old one.
Limiting belief: A limiting belief is a state of mind or belief about yourself that restricts you in some way.
The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.
-David Goggins
Week 4
Reflection and Integration
Exercise 1: Monthly Review
Take a look back on the exercises and insights from the past few weeks. What have you learned about yourself and your mindset? What adjustments do you need to make?
Exercise 2: Gratitude Practice
Create a gratitude list of at least 10 things related to your mindset journey. This practice can boost positivity and reinforce your growth-oriented mindset.
The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.
-Charles Schwab
Congratulations!!! You have completed your first month!
You have taken the first steps to mastering your mind. The journey to building mental resilience is lifelong and it can be uncomfortable.
Your life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So, with this in mind, I want you to be proud of yourself for taking the first step.
As we progress over the next 12 months, your mindset will be impenetrable. It will be a fortress. You already know yourself better after the first month, imagine what 12 months of progressive mindset work will look like.
Exclusive Offer for Our Valued Subscribers!
Elevate Your Journey with Personal 1-1 Coaching!
Do you feel you need extra support and a more bespoke and individualised program?
Unleash your full potential with my premium 1-1 coaching sessions, designed to empower and transform you.
Tailored just for you, my sessions are your roadmap to success. Whether you're aiming for peak physical performance or seeking mental clarity, I am are here to guide and inspire.
Your Benefits as a Paid Subscriber:
✅ Enjoy a 10% Discount on All Coaching Sessions
✅ Founding Members Receive an Exclusive 25% Discount
Limited Slots Available!
I only take on a handful of 1-1 coaching clients a month. I believe in being able to be fully present and focused, which would be impossible with a vast number of people to support.
So, if you are interested, be sure to click the link below to secure your spot and book a call with me.
Let's create lasting change together!
Over and out,
Mark