Let's get real about the "Q" word - and why sometimes, it's the smartest move you can make.
From Fencing Sabers to Life's Pivot Points: Embracing Change with Grit and Grace
Ever thought about hitting the reset button on life, career, or maybe just your morning routine? Yeah, me too. It's like deciding to learn a new fencing move when you're already pretty good with your saber—it's all about embracing the shake-up, finding that new rhythm, and sometimes, just winging it with style. So, let's talk about flipping the script on what it means to start over, from the mental gymnastics we all need to stick the landing, to hacking the system for setting goals that don't just gather dust. And because I can't help but stir the pot a bit, let's get real about the "Q" word—quitting—and why sometimes, it's the smartest move you can make. Ready to jump in? Let's do this.
The Mindset Shift
Ever found yourself at a crossroads, diving headfirst into something completely uncharted? Whether it’s strumming the first chord on a guitar, chiming in during a team meeting, or choosing a path you've never walked before, each step out of our comfort zone challenges our inner dialogue. It's a tug-of-war between the "Growth Mindset" and the "Fixed Mindset."
"I should steer clear of mistakes," "This is the best I can do," or "I've got all the answers." Sound like your inner monologue? That’s the Fixed Mindset talking, where failure is a dark cloud over your abilities, not the silver lining leading to growth. Trust me, I've been there. Watching my fencing mates outpace me was tough. I was stuck thinking, "Is this as good as it gets for me?"
If only I could pinpoint that lightbulb moment that shifted everything. Maybe it was my coach's guidance, learning from every misstep, realizing that each practice session was a step forward, and most importantly, knowing that throwing in the towel wasn't an option. It was a gradual journey from seeing obstacles as dead-ends to viewing them as stepping stones. That's the essence of the Growth Mindset – the belief that effort and perseverance can shape and enhance our talents and intelligence. Yeah, it sounds a bit cliché, but it's the gritty truth: hard work really does pay off.
In today's whirlwind world, it’s all too easy to lose sight of this mindset. We’re always on the move, often our own harshest critics. Keeping a Growth Mindset in the forefront involves mindfulness about our behaviors, actions, solutions, results, performance, and attitudes. These are the pillars that uphold our mindset. The more attuned we are to them, the better we thrive within a Growth Mindset framework.
This week, let’s do a little experiment. Keep a close eye on your mindset. Jot down thoughts, track your reactions, and see how you navigate challenges. Are you leaning towards growth or staying fixed?
Strategies for New Beginnings
I’m your resident jack-of-all-trades, master of... well, fun? Whether it's the ADHD in me or just a boundless curiosity, my journey's been like playing pinball with aspirations and ideas, bouncing from one to the next. In the span of four years, I've spun decks in NYC's electric club scene, hustled door-to-door sales (a wild ride that deserves its own story-time), competed as an Olympian, captured moments through photography, and dived headfirst into creative projects. I know this might be a hot take but I never really was goal-setting for any of these things. Each leap was spurred by two simple things: the joy of the process and the grit to keep pushing forward.
Now, about those infamous New Year's resolutions that seem to vanish by February—yeah, I've seen that happen way too often. It's almost like setting yourself up for a spectacular fail, aiming high without finding the fun or learning to love the grind.
How can I juxtapose this? Before you eye roll hear me out..
Remember how as a kid, I didn't start fencing with Olympic dreams in my immediate sight? It was all about getting the basics down and finding joy in the sport. That's the real deal: mastering the fundamentals and cultivating a genuine passion. Only then did the notion of aiming for the Olympics become a part of the narrative. Lets break it down.
Follow Your Joy: Start with what genuinely interests you, not just what you feel you should be doing.
Learn to Love the Process: Embrace the journey of learning something new without being overly focused on the end goal.
Embrace the Fundamentals: Dive deep into the basics of any new endeavor; understanding the foundation makes the journey more enjoyable and meaningful.
Set Natural Goals: Allow your goals to evolve organically from your passion and interest in the activity, rather than imposing strict objectives from the start.
Enjoy Before You Commit: Like starting fencing for fun before aiming for the Olympics, engage with new activities to build confidence and love for the process before setting bigger goals.
Treat Life as a Training Season: Approach new beginnings with the mindset of continuous improvement, learning, and adaptation, just as athletes do in their training seasons.
Find the Fun in Failure: Don’t be deterred by setbacks or failures; see them as part of the learning process and a step towards mastering your new pursuit.
Stay Curious: Keep exploring different interests and hobbies. Curiosity can lead to discovering new passions you never knew you had.
So, what's the takeaway? Treat life like it's your own personal training season. Start with what draws you in, learn to love it, and let the goals evolve naturally from there. Before you know it, you'll be living your life at full throttle—pedal to the metal, baby.
In this whirlwind of new beginnings, let's not get bogged down by rigid goals. Instead, let's dive into our passions, learn for the sake of learning, and see where the journey takes us. After all, isn't the adventure the best part?
The Universal Nature of Starting Over
Gandalf: “One stage of your journey is over, another begins.” Now, let’s dive deep into a topic that touches all of us, one way or another: the essence of starting over. It's a universal theme, whether you're stepping off the piste or stepping into a new phase of life. But here's where it gets interesting—how do we view this act of starting anew? Is it a demonstration of strength, a testament to our resilience and adaptability? Or, do we see it as a last resort, a reluctant reboot when all else seems lost?
Call to Action: I'm throwing down the glove and inviting you to a debate that's as old as time. Is starting over a sign of strength or merely a last resort? Jump into the comments section and lay out your stance. I'm looking for those thought-provoking, gut-wrenchingly honest, and perhaps even controversial viewpoints.
Polarizing Topic: Now, let's slice through the age-old debate: "Quitting is for losers." Sounds harsh, right? But here's my take—stepping away from the fencing world wasn't me throwing in the towel. Far from it. It was a calculated move, a strategic shift towards new horizons and dreams yet to be discovered. So, I challenge this notion and open the floor to you: Is there a difference between quitting and pivoting? How do we redefine 'quitting' in a world that's constantly in flux?
This isn't just about fencing, DJing, photography, or any of the hats I've worn. It's about life, with its myriad paths and endless possibilities for reinvention. It's about us, as a community, navigating our "next arenas" with courage, curiosity, and maybe a bit of defiance.
So, what do you think? Is starting over the ultimate display of strength, or is it the last card we play? And where does 'quitting' fit into the narrative of our lives?
Andrew Mackiewicz
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