Mindsets aren’t just about being “positive” or “negative.” They’re the mental filters we use—sometimes without even realising it—to make sense of what’s happening around us. Every time you encounter a situation, have a conversation, or face a challenge, your mindset influences how you interpret what’s going on. It shapes how you think, how you feel, and ultimately, what you do next.

Let’s say a colleague asks you to help with designing a brochure. If your first thought is, “I’m not creative enough for that,” you might be stuck in a fixed mindset. That mindset can make you feel stressed, annoyed, or even tempted to avoid the task altogether. On the flip side, if you think, “Here’s a chance to learn something new,” you’re tapping into a growth mindset—one that’s more open, curious, and likely to lead to a better outcome (and maybe even a bit of fun along the way).

Most of us move between different mindsets throughout the day. Some are deliberate. Others are deeply ingrained and automatic—our “default settings,” shaped by past experiences. These defaults can work for us or against us. Maybe you once had a boss who encouraged creative thinking, so you now feel confident taking risks. Or maybe you worked somewhere that shut down your ideas, and now you hesitate to speak up unless you’re certain you’re right.

It’s worth asking: Which mindsets am I carrying that aren’t actually helping me?

The good news? Just because a mindset feels automatic doesn’t mean it’s permanent. Research shows that once you’re aware of your mindset, you can shift it. You can decide which mindset best fits the situation—and the person you want to be in that moment.

This matters more than we might think. Studies have shown that mindsets can influence everything from how we perform at work or school, to how we manage stress, to how satisfied we are with life overall. They can even impact our physical health.

So next time you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t,” or “I’m just not good at this,” pause for a moment. Ask yourself: Is this mindset helping me, or holding me back? Then, if you can, choose differently.

Because mindsets aren’t just filters. They’re levers. And when you learn to pull the right one at the right time, the whole system shifts.