This is a question I have challenged myself with this year, so I will ask you the same question:

How are you expanding your mindset in 2017?

Our beliefs lead us to the actions we take. The actions we take lead us to the results we currently have. And most of us are not (ever?) satisfied with our current results. So, simple math would say, we must expand our mindsets to continuously achieve growth, both personally and professionally.

Here are the three primary ways I will intentionally expand my mindset this year:

1. Documentaries. I have set the fun goal of watching 52 documentaries in 2017. That basically means averaging one per week. It also means it will force me to take a break (at least once per week) from Homeland, Vikings, and my other favorites. With Netflix, Amazon, and the other online movie portals so easily available, it becomes very easy to expand my mindset by choosing documentaries on a variety of topics. I will keep everyone posted on the ones I watch, and if you have recommendations, please send them my way!
2. Reading. This is an every-year goal of mine, as I am an avid reader. Every year I set aside 12-15 non-fiction books I intend to read. The books I prefer to read expand my knowledge and skills on everything from sales and marketing to leadership and personal finance. This year I have 15 already lined up as my target list. They include Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss, Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini, and even The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday to name a few. I will share in a future post my entire list, and feel free once again to send recommendations.
3. Journaling. To be honest, this area has been a challenge for me to stick with. While I’ve dabbled in starting my day by journaling, I have not been able to stick with it consistently. This year, though, I have a new plan. I purchased The 5-Minute Journal, and since January 1^st I love it. It gives me the focus I need when I wonder what to journal about. In addition, I have started an additional journal where I only write down things that I have learned each day. So far it has been extremely helpful for me to write and capture one to three key takeaways from my morning ritual of reading, or highlights from an important conversation or podcast I listened to. My goal is to create a personal library of the best ideas and principles to have by my side at all times.

So, these are my three ways I plan to intentionally expand my mindset throughout the year and beyond. In reading this, do you have new ideas on doing the same? How are you challenging yourself to grow and never stop learning? How will you create a habit of this daily or weekly?

We all owe it to ourselves, as well as to those around us, to never stop growing our mindset.