"Do or do not, there is no try." ~Yoda

The same can be said for believing that the information you need is available to you. Whether you are trying to figure out your next professional move, or trying to figure out how to become neater (me!), or trying to figure out how to improve your skin (me 12 years ago!) -- the knowledge exists if only you are open to finding it.

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But the catch 22 is that you can only find it if you believe it's out there. If you don't believe it's out there, you'll never find it. It turns out that the terms close-minded and open-minded are literal. That's what Dr. Carol Dweck has discovered in her research on mindset. People who have a "fixed mindset" (close minded) don't believe they have agency in their lives and just accept whatever it is they are given. People with a "growth mindset" (open minded) believe that they have the ability to change their lives in big and small ways. (see image below).

1) "I think I can". So the first step to becoming a lifelong learner is to BELIEVE YOU CAN LEARN. When I'm looking for a solution to a problem, the first thing I do is say to myself, "I want to learn how to INSERT THING I WANT TO LEARN." Fifteen years ago I wanted to develop a self-care practice. Twelve years ago, I wanted to learn how to use non-toxic products to improve my skin. This year I'm committed to learning how to become better at housekeeping and letting go of physical objects that no longer serve me. I know I'll succeed because I have a growth mindset (open minded).

2. Create a habit. The second step becoming a lifelong learner is to create a habit of learning. I like the idea of reading or listening to 10 minutes of an instructive book, audiobook, or podcast, daily. I talk at length about habit creation in other podcasts but the steps are simple.

• Set a doable goal (I'm going to read/listen to 10 pages/minutes at least 5 days a week. If that's too much, go as small as you have to in order to actually do the thing. 5 pages, 3x a week? 1 page, 1x a week. Once you're doing it regularly, you can up the amount)
• Track your progress using a habit tracker or a post-it note with hashmarks or a calendar where you put a check or heart on the date when you do the thing
• If you are motivated by rewards, create one. "If I read 5 days a week for a month, I can watch season 2 of my favorite TV show."
• Stick with it until it becomes automatic. That's when you know it's a habit!

To watch/listen to the podcast go here https://bywdreams.mailerpage.com/140