Mindset

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Mindset: the established set of attitudes held by someone (MacBook Dictionary)

Mindset keeps popping up in my life lately. I blame mindset for everything: when I don’t agree with someone’s theoretical stance, it is their “mindset” that I point to; when I talk about how we can encourage good learning habits in students, I suggest that we have to develop their mindset.

One place where I don’t seem to be using the word enough, however, is with my writing. And it is here where mindset insidiously influences what I do. When I teach, I have no choice but to confront my set of attitudes—teaching happens at a required time, students respond to what happens in class, and external forces demand certain accountings of my practice. I continue to question and be aware. But, except for external deadlines or my annual report, I do not have to face my attitudes about writing.

Do I want to write? Of course I do. Do I think writing is important for my sense of self? Indeed I do. These are not the attitudes I am worried about. I worry more about my attitudes toward getting to that writing—a mindset that suggests I need time to really delve into a piece, that reminds me that I have so many other urgent issues demanding my attention, and that I don’t know what I will say so I should wait until I do. I am sure if you write (or are required to write), you will recognize these attitudes.

What troubles me about this mindset is how easily I let it happen and how easily I let it guide what gets written (or doesn’t). I have to work to change this mindset—and I do think it takes work. Just consider the two parts: mind/set. That sounds pretty stubborn and suggests effort is needed for change to happen.

My challenge, then, for the New Year is to listen to my set mind and interrupt its chatter. When I realize that I am not accomplishing my writing, I can ask why and then create conditions where it can occur. I can account for my practice and stay aware. It's time to move from mindset to mindshift.