The brain is very similar to plastic and can be reshaped over time, forming new neural pathways. This is what neuroscientists refer to as neuroplasticity. Neural pathways are developed by doing or thinking particular things. The things that we do or say more often become hard-wired into our brains as habits and become easier to access. However, they can still be changed through training our brains to learn new skills and thought patterns. 

There are three key things that you can do to develop a growth mindset:

1. You need to recognise that a growth mindset is not just good, but is also supported by science. In other words, you need to be committed to developing a growth mindset.
2. You can learn and teach others about how to develop and improve their abilities through adopting a growth mindset. This will help you to take control of your life, which is hugely empowering. Research shows that people who feel in control tend to perform better. It’s a virtuous cycle.
3. Listen out for your fixed mindset voice. When you hear that little critical voice in your head telling you that you can’t do something, reply with a growth mindset approach and tell it that you can learn.

When we actively seek employment, our attitude can have an enormous impact on how the process will go. This is because many aspects of the job search are out of our control. Our mental energy is finite and we may not be able to keep up with every new job that goes up every day – we also may not be able to apply for every single role out there that aligns with our skill set and interests. Therefore, maintaining a positive attitude and outlook can have a tremendous effect on our quality of life as we go through the job search process, which can often feel time-consuming and frustrating.

Motivation may be hard to maintain some days. There are days when we feel charged with positive energy with a desire to be productive and get as many applications out as possible. There are also days where we might feel frustrated from waiting for responses or experiencing rejection from a job we really wanted. 

It is normal to experience moments of frustration, as it can take some time before we land a job. 

Tips to Stay Motivated:

• Ensure that you are sleeping and eating well – physical and mental health are important when it comes to searching for a job, so it is crucial to get proper sleep and maintain a healthy diet, which can impact your mood and level of motivation. 
• Celebrate small achievements – set goals each week and be sure to pause and recognize your achievements. Being an active job seeker is a job in itself that takes lots of focus, research and dedication. Set a target of how many roles you want to apply for each week (aim for 5-7). At the end of the week, pause and do something enjoyable before starting a fresh round of applications. 

Stay focused on the bigger picture – when everyday job search tasks begin to feel tedious, remind yourself of the bigger picture – think about where you want to be in your career 3-5 years from now and what your career achievements will mean to you in a practical and tangible way.