The gold star mindset
Are you a gold star collector?
Maybe you remember earning them in elementary school for completing tasks or exhibiting good behavior. Or, maybe you were the second grade teacher's assistant like me :) But have you considered incorporating the mindset of collecting gold stars into your everyday life now?
To be clear, I'm not talking about external validation through people-pleasing. I AM advocating collecting gold stars as a mindset where you focus on your achievements and successes, both big and small, and acknowledging them as important milestones on your journey towards your goals – for yourself! It means taking the time to appreciate your own efforts and the progress you've made, rather than constantly comparing yourself to others or feeling like you're not doing enough.
When you collect gold stars as a mindset, you start to view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Instead of beating yourself up for making mistakes, you recognize that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process and that each mistake is a chance to do better.
Another benefit of the gold star mindset is that it helps you stay motivated and engaged. When you take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, you build momentum and confidence, which creates even greater success.
How can you develop your "gold star mindset"?
Here are a few tips:
Set clear goals for yourself, both short-term and long-term. When you have a clear idea of what you're working towards, it's easier to recognize when you've made progress.
Keep track of your achievements. This can be as simple as writing them down in a notebook or creating a spreadsheet. When you have a record of your successes, you can look back and see how far you've come.
Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back, treat yourself to something you enjoy, or share your success with a friend (or your life coach!)
Learn from your mistakes. When things don't go as planned, take the time to reflect on what went wrong and what you can do differently next time.
Remember, collecting gold stars as a mindset is not about seeking validation from others. It's about recognizing and appreciating your own efforts and achievements, and using them to fuel your ongoing growth and success. Never forget that you are a baddie, now start collecting those gold stars!