Aging IQ is a news aggregate designed to create a location for all of your senior news from holiday meal ideas to cutting edge research. The below article was originally posted on their website by the author below.
Author: Cyn Meyer | February 7, 2022
In today’s world, it seems like the older you get, the more you’re told that age is a limitation.
We hear (or tell ourselves) things like “you’re too old for that,” “you don’t need to learn new things anymore,” or “you can’t do that now.”
But what if we could change the way we think about aging? What if we could see it as an opportunity for growth?
Which is equally, if not more, important during retirement.
With the right attitude, you can make the most of this stage in your life and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. So keep reading to find out what a growth mindset is, why it’s especially important for retirees, and how to adopt it in retirement.
What Is a Growth Mindset and Why Do I Need One?
Contrary to what its name might suggest, having a growth mindset isn’t about growing into some new person – it’s about staying true to yourself while constantly challenging yourself to learn and improve.
It’s a belief that intelligence, skills, and abilities can be developed. As opposed to the fixed mindset — believing that you’re either born with it or aren’t.
According to the principles of neuroplasticity, you can create new neural pathways until the day you die.
Researchers found that the more older adults believed they could grow and change, the more they engaged in health-promoting activities. Which is why adopting a growth mindset and always looking for ways to improve yourself is relevant (and a big deal), no matter your age.
How to Adopt a Growth Mindset?
#1: Embrace Challenges
Rather than seeing challenges as bad things to fear, view them as huge learning opportunities that allow you to grow and stretch yourself.
Instead of shying away from the unknown, try to step out of your comfort zone and seek out new challenges. Observe yourself in new situations, and connect with your authentic self on a deeper level.
Plus, the best way to keep your brain healthy is by continually challenging it. This means seeking out new opportunities and experiences that will make you think in different ways, extend your boundaries, and go beyond your usual retirement routine.
#2: Practice Mindfulness
While engaging in a mindfulness practice comes with numerous benefits for your mental and physical health, it also does wonders for your growth mindset.
Becoming more self-aware can help you change your mindset for the better. It’s worth noting that taking consistent action towards your goals and dreams is when the biggest benefits come in.
Practice mindfulness regularly, and you’ll start to see changes in your thinking and, consequently, in your behavior. Check out these 6 mindfulness techniques for inspiration.
#3: Enjoy the Process
When you focus on the journey rather than just achieving your goal or outcome, it becomes much more satisfying. And it’s an incredible way to foster growth by savoring the present.
To cultivate a growth mindset and reap its benefits, focus on every micro-step and thoroughly enjoy your progress.
By breaking your goal into small achievable steps, you’re able to focus on your current stage and appreciate it rather than beat yourself up for not being where you want to be. It’ll help you avoid discouragement when faced with new challenges, build resilience, and make you appreciate how far you’ve come.
Live Up to Your Full Potential
So what’s the best way to make sure you have a growth mindset in retirement?
Continue learning, challenging, and growing.
Encourage yourself to try new things, explore new hobbies and interests, and never stop striving to be your best self. Retirement is a time of great joy and fulfillment when you approach it with the right attitude.
Don’t let your mindset limit you and live up to your full potential.
