The pursuit of happiness and success. A quest that has captivated individuals for centuries. And yet, despite the abundance of advice, many remain stuck in a cycle of frustration and stagnation. But what if there was a secret to unlocking the doors to true fulfillment? A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds light on the role of mindset in driving happiness and achievement.
It appears that a strategic mindset is the key to success. Unlike a growth mindset, grit, or self-efficacy, a strategic mindset is about evaluating and refining one’s approach. It’s about taking a step back, assessing the situation, and re-evaluating the best course of action. And the results are staggering. Individuals with a strategic mindset report higher levels of happiness, better performance… and a greater likelihood of achieving their goals.
But how do you develop this mindset? It begins with the ability to pause and reflect. When faced with a problem, it’s natural to feel rushed and anxious. However, a strategic mindset requires slowing down to speed up. It’s about taking a deep breath, stepping back, and thinking things through. In doing so, you can gain clarity and determine the best course forward.
This mindset shift is not limited to specific areas of ⁙⁙⁙. It can be applied to any profession, education, health, or fitness pursuit. And the benefits are profound. By adopting a strategic mindset… you can navigate even the most complex challenges with ease and confidence. But what’s the most surprising aspect of this study? Despite the emphasis on speed and urgency in today’s fast-paced world, “slowing down is often the most effective way to move forward.” It’s a paradox that requires trusting the process and embracing a more measured approach.
^^, developing a strategic mindset may be the key to unlocking true happiness and success. By adopting this mindset, “you can achieve greater fulfillment and reach your goals with greater ease.” (First published in Forbes.
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In The News:
Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg, Review
In Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection , Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg offers readers simple communication strategies to more effectively connect with friends, family, coworkers, and our communities. By harnessing commonly known conversation tools, Duhigg argues, everyone has the potential to become a “supercommunicator”: someone who “seem[s] to synchronize effortlessly with just about anyone” by making others feel at ease, sharing experiences without monopolizing the spotlight, and navigating thorny subjects with sensitivity.
Duhigg is the author of the 2012 New York Times bestseller The Power of Habit , about how we can change our habits by understanding the science of habit formation, and 2016’s Smarter Faster Better , which unpacks the science of productivity to offer tools to enhance self-optimization. In his latest work, Duhigg employs a similar methodology of combining research with feel-good case studies to devise a part self-help, part how-to guide to better communication.
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Stanford Social Innovation Review: Informing and Inspiring Leaders of Social Change
The movement to mobilize big bets in philanthropy is growing. Let’s not dissuade potential donors by framing it as “a new way to fail.”
In SSIR ⁘s new summer issue , two longtime proponents of strategic philanthropy take a critical look at the approach and propose empowerment philanthropy to achieve social progress.
The core practices that define a trust-based approach can, through multiple pathways, lead to both increased resource efficiency and outsized impact.
Racial bias creeps into all parts of the philanthropic and grantmaking process. The result is that BIPOC-led nonprofits receive less money than those led by whites, and philanthropy ends up reinforcing social ills it says it is trying to overcome.
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Additionally… Unlocking Happiness And Success: The Power Of Strategic Mindset:
A strategic mindset involves stepping back and assessing how to do things differently, better, or more collaboratively, which leads to huge payoffs, including greater happiness, better performance, and higher likelihood of reaching goals.
The key to achieving greater happiness, better performance, and higher likelihood of reaching goals lies in embracing a strategic mindset. This mindset involves stepping back and assessing how to do things differently, better, or more collaboratively. Rather than simply reacting to situations or relying on previous habits, individuals with a strategic mindset take a step back to evaluate the situation, gather information, and develop a plan of action.
This strategic approach leads to huge payoffs, including: * **Greater happiness**: By taking the time to reflect and think critically, individuals with a strategic mindset are better equipped to understand their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of others. This increased self-awareness leads to greater happiness and fulfillment… as individuals are able to direct their efforts towards activities that play to their strengths and values.
* **Better performance**: A strategic mindset allows individuals to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted strategies to overcome weaknesses. By focusing on specific areas of improvement, individuals can develop new skills and improve their overall performance, leading to greater success and recognition.
* **Higher likelihood of reaching goals**: By taking a strategic approach, individuals are able to identify and overcome obstacles, develop contingency plans… and adapt to changing circumstances. This increased ability to navigate challenges and adjust to unexpected setbacks leads to a higher likelihood of reaching goals, and achieving greater overall success.
In addition to these benefits, a strategic mindset also leads to: * **Improved relationships**: By taking the time to understand others’ strengths and weaknesses, and developing strategies to work collaboratively, individuals with a strategic mindset are better equipped to build strong, effective relationships.
* **Increased efficiency**: A strategic approach allows individuals to identify and eliminate inefficiencies, streamlining processes and saving time and energy.
* **Greater resilience**: By developing a strategic mindset, individuals are better equipped to handle setbacks and failures, and to use these experiences as opportunities for growth and improvement. In summary, embracing a strategic mindset is key to achieving greater happiness, better performance, and a higher likelihood of reaching goals.
By taking the time to step back and assess situations, “gather information,” “and develop targeted strategies,” individuals can reap huge benefits and achieve greater success in all areas of ⁘⁘⁘.
The best way to move forward is often to start by stepping back, as it allows individuals to pause, reflect, and gain clarity on how to tackle problems, rather than feeling rushed and anxious.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, rushing from one task to the next without taking the time to think critically or reflect on our actions. However, this approach often leads to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, and frustration. So, what’s the solution? The best way to move forward is often to start by stepping back.
Stepping back doesn’t mean putting our problems on the backburner or ignoring them altogether. Instead, it means taking a pause, reflecting on the situation, and gaining clarity on how to tackle the problem. By stepping back, individuals can: * **Clear their minds**: Stepping back allows individuals to clear their minds and think more clearly, untangling the knots of anxiety and confusion that can arise when we’re too close to a problem.
* **Gain perspective**: By stepping back… individuals can gain a broader perspective on the problem, seeing it from different angles and recognizing the interconnectedness of various factors.
* **Reflect on assumptions**: Stepping back allows individuals to reflect on their assumptions and biases, ensuring that they’re tackling the problem with a clear and level head.
* **Develop a plan**: With a clearer mind and a broader perspective, individuals can develop a more effective plan of attack, identifying the most important tasks and prioritizing their efforts.
* **Build confidence**: By taking the time to step back and assess the situation… individuals can build confidence in their abilities, knowing that they’ve thought through the problem and have a solid plan in place.
Stepping back doesn’t have to mean taking a long, drawn-out break from the problem. Even a short pause of just a few minutes can be beneficial. Take a few deep breaths, grab a cup of coffee, and take a stroll outside – anything to give ⁙⁙⁙ the space to think and reflect. Ultimately, stepping back is an investment in ourselves and our ability to tackle problems effectively.
By taking the time to pause, reflect, and gain clarity, we can build confidence, reduce anxiety, “and achieve greater success.” So, “the next time you’re faced with a problem,” remember: the best way to move forward is often to start by stepping back.
