February 26, 2025 • 19 mins
In this episode, Shannon, a two-time breast cancer survivor, emphasizes the power of mindset in navigating the breast cancer journey. By sharing personal experiences and practical techniques for shifting perspectives, she inspires listeners to redefine their narratives and embrace growth through their challenges.
• The importance of mindset in shaping the cancer experience
• Components of mindset: beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives
• Distinction between fixed and growth mindsets
• Techniques to shift mindset: focusing on strengths and reframing
• Benefits of reframing and self-compassion
• Practical exercises to reinforce a growth mindset
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
The story you tell yourself about your breast
cancer journey shapes yourentire experience, whether
you've been recently diagnosedor are in the midst of treatment
.
Breast Cancer Reimagined isyour podcast for writing this
new chapter of your life.
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host, andI'm so glad you're here.
(00:25):
As a proud two-time breastcancer survivor, I'm on a
mission to help women like youreimagine how you navigate your
breast cancer journey by helpingyou shift your mindset,
activate your strengths anduncover deeper meaning in your
journey.
I'm creating future episodes toaddress your unique challenges,
(00:45):
but I need your input.
What are your biggest questionsor struggles when it comes to
your journey?
Share them with me bycompleting the Google form
that's linked in the show notes.
Your voice matters and togetherwe can create something truly
powerful.
I can't wait to hear from you.
Create something truly powerful.
I can't wait to hear from you.
(01:05):
Welcome to the Breast CancerReimagined Podcast.
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host.
Thanks for joining.
I'm a proud two-time breastcancer survivor and I'm on a
mission to help women shifttheir mindset, activate their
strengths and uncover deepermeaning in their breast cancer
journey.
This is the first episode ofthe podcast and I'm excited to
(01:30):
talk about mindset because thestory you tell about your breast
cancer journey shapes yourentire experience.
I'll start by sharing about mybreast cancer journey.
It started in January of 2017.
In 2017, I declared it the yearof joy, and so what I did is I
(01:52):
created a bucket list of thingsthat I wanted to be do and have
in 2017.
And in October, I had myroutine mammogram and the
results came back that I haddense breast tissue, so the
doctor recommended that I do abiopsy.
I did the biopsy and then, afew weeks later, I got the phone
(02:12):
call.
I found out I had grade twoinvasive ductal carcinoma of the
right breast.
Wait, what?
Breast cancer wasn't on my joybucket list.
What's happening?
That's when I realized that Ihad a decision to make.
Do I cancel the year of joybecause I have breast cancer, or
is it still the year of joyeven with breast cancer?
(02:35):
So I made a decision thatshaped my experience and I
decided that it was still theyear of joy, even with breast
cancer.
Making this decision didn'tmake everything joyful and I was
still really scared, but it setme up to tell a story about my
(02:55):
breast cancer journey thatshaped my entire experience.
So, instead of fighting breastcancer, I shifted my mindset,
and then I activated mystrengths and I began to uncover
deeper meaning in my journey,and so I created this podcast to
help you reimagine your breastcancer journey and do the same.
(03:17):
So in this episode, we'retalking about shifting your
mindset.
So let's start the conversationby first defining mindset.
Mindset is a collection ofbeliefs, attitudes and
perspectives that shape thestory you tell about how you
respond to the challenge ofbreast cancer and, ultimately,
(03:38):
how you grow from the experience.
Let's take a look at each ofthe components.
We'll start with beliefs.
Your beliefs are the foundationof your story.
When you believe in yourability to handle challenges,
your narrative becomes one ofcourage and resilience.
Your belief in yourself canempower you to face treatment
(04:01):
with strength and to navigatethe unknown with confidence.
The second component isattitude.
Now, your attitude sets thetone for your journey.
A hopeful, determined attitudehelps to create a story of
empowerment, turning the journeyinto one of growth.
Now, on the other hand, anegative attitude can make it
(04:25):
harder to move throughchallenges, and it may result in
a story filled with struggle.
And the third componentperspective.
Now, your perspective is thelens through which you view your
breast cancer experience.
So when you see challenges asopportunities for growth and
transformation, obstacles becomestepping stones.
(04:48):
Now that we've explored how yourbeliefs, your attitudes and
your perspectives shape thestory you're telling about your
breast cancer journey, it'simportant to recognize that
there are two types of mindsetsthat can influence how you
navigate this journey a fixedmindset or a growth mindset.
With a fixed mindset, you maybelieve that your abilities, the
(05:11):
circumstances and even yourability to cope with breast
cancer are fixed andunchangeable.
You might see challenges asroadblocks rather than
opportunities, and you couldfeel helpless when faced with
adversity.
This mindset can lead you tosee your journey as something
you have to just endure,something to get through, rather
(05:33):
than as an opportunity forgrowth.
In contrast, a growth mindsetit's based on the belief that
you can develop, adapt and growthrough challenges.
With this mindset, you can viewyour breast cancer journey as
an opportunity to learn, to growand to transform, and you'll
(05:55):
focus on the possibilities forimprovement, knowing that
through your efforts, resilienceand openness to change, you can
emerge stronger and moreempowered.
One of my favorite books.
It's called Cultures of Growthhow the New Science of Mindset
Can Transform Individuals, teamsand Organizations.
(06:17):
It's by Mary C Murphy and inthe book she says.
The reality is that no one haseither a fixed or a growth
mindset.
Mindset exists on a continuum.
Growth mindset Mindset existson a continuum and, although we
may favor a fixed or a growthmindset, we all have both, and
(06:41):
shifting between them issomething each one of us does.
Now I want you to think aboutyour current beliefs, attitudes
and perspectives about yourbreast cancer journey.
Where do you fall on thecontinuum?
Are you leaning more towards afixed mindset or a growth
mindset?
Or maybe you find yourselfsomewhere in between?
It's completely okay whereveryou are.
(07:03):
Breast cancer is a serioushealth condition and everyone's
experience is unique.
But what truly matters isbecoming aware of where you are
right now, because thisawareness gives you the power to
shift your mindset and approachyour journey with a sense of
growth, if you choose to.
(07:24):
Your mindset can also evolveover time and as it does so,
does the story you tell aboutyour experience.
By understanding this mindsetcontinuum, you can also start to
recognize when you're slippinginto a fixed mindset and you can
intentionally shift towards agrowth mindset.
(07:44):
This ability to adapt yourthinking can help you navigate
challenges, learn from setbacksand ultimately thrive through
your breast cancer journey.
So, now that we've talked aboutthese three components beliefs,
attitudes and perspectives andwe talked about the two types of
mindset growth mindset andfixed mindset let's explore
(08:08):
shifting your mindset.
Shifting your mindset isn't justa mental exercise.
It's really about deciding onpurpose how you want to navigate
this chapter of your life.
It's choosing the story youwant to tell Now.
This doesn't mean denying thedifficulties.
It means embracing theopportunity to grow through the
(08:32):
difficulties, embracing theopportunity to heal and thrive
because of them.
I'm going to share with you twodifferent techniques to help
you shift your mindset Now.
The first technique is shiftingyour focus from what's wrong to
what's strong.
Now, this one's really aboutacknowledging and celebrating
(08:53):
the qualities that make youresilient, capable and
resourceful, so you can thrivein your breast cancer journey.
Ultimately, it's aboutactivating your strengths, your
character strengths which arethe positive parts of your
personality and they contributeto your personal growth,
well-being and flourishing.
(09:14):
Character strengths such asbravery, gratitude, hope and
love.
These are examples of thestrengths that you can bring to
your journey, and shifting yourfocus from what's wrong to
what's strong isn't just a gamechanger.
It's a life changer.
Make sure you tune into episodetwo for a deeper dive into this
(09:36):
topic.
In this episode, we're going tofocus on the second option,
which is reframing.
Now, I can't talk aboutreframing without sharing my
favorite Wayne Dyer quote.
Here goes when you change theway you look at things, the
things you look at change.
So to reframe a challenge, itmeans to change your perspective
(09:59):
on a difficult situation.
It means to change yourperspective on a difficult
situation when you reframe yourbreast cancer journey through
the lens of a growth mindset.
You're choosing to see it notas something that negatively
defines you, but as anopportunity for development, for
learning and personal growth.
Now, this doesn't mean that youshould ignore the challenges or
(10:20):
pretend they don't exist.
It means to consciously shiftyour focus to how you can learn
and grow through the challenges.
How you frame your experiencecan really shape how you cope
with the challenges of breastcancer and how you heal along
(10:42):
the way.
I'm going to share a little bitmore about my story.
When I was diagnosed with gradetwo invasive ductal carcinoma
of the right breast in 2017, Imade another decision that
shaped my journey.
I'll never forget it.
I was on my way to the medicalcenter.
I was driving there to meetwith the surgeon for the first
time, and as soon as I saw thesign that said Stanford Medical
(11:02):
Center, I burst into tears.
I just couldn't believe that Ihad breast cancer.
I mean, I didn't have a lump.
There was no history in myfamily what was happening.
So I arrived and I parked inthe parking structure on the top
floor in the corner, I turnedoff my car and I cried and I
(11:23):
cried.
Finally the tears stopped and Itook a breath and I said to
myself I said okay, shannon, wedon't want to go through this
every time you go to anappointment, because you're
going to be coming here a lot.
So how can we reframe thisexperience so you look forward
(11:44):
to coming?
That question instantly made mefeel lighter because I realized
I had a choice, and so in thatmoment I decided that breast
cancer wasn't happening to me.
Breast cancer was happening forme to learn and grow, and at the
time I had no idea what lessonsawaited or how I would grow.
(12:09):
But this mindset became myanchor.
It really transformed my fearinto purpose and my hardship
into hope.
The journey didn't just test me, it transformed me.
It taught me that even in mymost vulnerable moments I could
activate my strengths anduncover deeper meaning from my
(12:30):
experience, breast cancer didn'tdefine me.
It refined me.
Reframing is powerful and I wantto share with you three
benefits of reframing yourbreast cancer experience.
The first benefit reframingcreates space for
(13:02):
self-compassion because it theemotional challenges of your
breast cancer journey, leadingto greater resilience and
healing.
So ask yourself, how would yourjourney change if you were more
compassionate towards yourself.
Here's the second benefitReframing makes breast cancer a
part of a larger plan and thismeans that there's a unique
(13:26):
purpose for you in thisexperience.
It can help you to accept whatis happening instead of fighting
against it.
Ask yourself, how would yourjourney change if you knew there
was a unique purpose for you inthis experience?
Your journey change if you knewthere was a unique purpose for
you in this experience, and thebest part is that you get to
(13:51):
decide what that purpose is.
For me, my purpose became clearwhen I was navigating my breast
cancer journey.
I remember sharing with familyand friends and colleagues about
my breast cancer diagnosis andupcoming treatment, and what I
noticed is that they all saidthe same things.
They said things like you gotthis, or you're such a bright
light, or your joy is socontagious.
And after reading and hearingall of these comments, it became
(14:15):
clear my purpose is to spreadjoy and to be a bright light in
the world, and to do that evenwhile navigating breast cancer.
The third benefit of reframingit helps you to focus on the
aspects of your life that youcan actively change or influence
(14:36):
, such as your actions, yourdecisions, your mindset, your
responses to situations.
This is really importantbecause when you focus on things
outside of your actions, yourdecisions, your mindset, your
responses to situations this isreally important because when
you focus on things outside ofyour control, such as external
circumstances or other people'sactions and opinions, it can
lead to frustration and feelingsof helplessness.
Now it's your turn.
(14:58):
It's your turn to shift yourmindset by reframing the story
you tell about your breastcancer journey.
So what I'm going to do is I'mgoing to share five different
mindsets with you.
Pick the one that lights aspark within you.
Write it down, because thismindset will set the stage for
this new chapter in your life.
(15:19):
You can also think of thismindset as the title of this new
chapter, and so for eachmindset, I will read it two
times for you.
Number one breast cancer ishappening for me to learn and
grow.
Breast cancer is happening forme to learn and grow.
(15:39):
Two breast cancer is shaping meinto the person I am meant to
be.
Breast cancer is shaping meinto the person I am meant to be
.
Three breast cancer is teachingme valuable lessons.
Breast cancer is teaching mevaluable lessons.
(16:02):
Breast cancer is teaching mevaluable lessons.
Four, breast cancer is shapingme into a stronger, wiser
version of myself.
Breast cancer is shaping meinto a stronger, wiser version
of myself.
And five, breast cancer ishelping me discover my
resilience, one day at a time.
(16:23):
Breast cancer is helping mediscover my resilience, one day
at a time.
Now you're going to want to holdthis mindset close and let it
guide you through the toughestdays.
And, as we talked about earliermindset, it's on a continuum
and we shift between a fixed anda growth mindset, and so I'm
(16:47):
going to share with you threesimple practices to help you
reinforce your mindset.
The first one is to reflectdaily.
Take a few moments every day towrite down or think about how
your new mindset is influencingyour journey.
You might want to ask yourselfwhat have I learned today, or
(17:08):
how is this shaping me for thebetter?
You might want to use a journalto capture these insights.
And the second way to reinforceyour new mindset is to
celebrate small wins.
Acknowledge the small steps youtake each day, whether it's
resting, smiling or facing afear.
Each small victory reinforcesthe strength and resilience your
(17:31):
mindset is helping you uncover,and make sure you keep a list
of these wins to revisit on thetougher days.
And lastly, practice gratitude.
Identify one thing each daythat sparks gratitude.
No matter how small.
Gratitude can anchor you whenemotions feel overwhelming, and
(17:54):
this also helps to keep yourfocus on growth and positivity
aligning with your mindset oflearning and transformation.
With these practices, you canreinforce a mindset that
empowers and uplifts you, evenin the face of challenges.
Which practice are you mostexcited about?
(18:14):
Now it's your turn to reimagineyour breast cancer story.
As we close out this episode,be sure to number one, write
down the mindset you've chosenon a piece of paper and post it
somewhere so you can see itdaily.
And, number two, choose atechnique to reinforce your
mindset Reflect daily, celebratesmall wins or practice
(18:38):
gratitude.
Before you go, I want to sharewith you a bonus tip Find a song
that embodies your mindset.
My mindset is breast cancer ishappening for me to learn and
grow, so I picked the song theClimb by Miley Cyrus.
This song now is my personalanthem for resilience and
(18:59):
perseverance.
It encourages me to focus on myprogress and the lessons I am
learning along the way.
Thank you so much for joiningand I look forward to talking
with you in the next episode.
Bye for now.
The story you tell yourself about your breast
cancer journey shapes yourentire experience, whether
you've been recently diagnosedor are in the midst of treatment
.
Breast Cancer Reimagined isyour podcast for writing this
new chapter of your life.
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host, andI'm so glad you're here.
(00:25):
As a proud two-time breastcancer survivor, I'm on a
mission to help women like youreimagine how you navigate your
breast cancer journey by helpingyou shift your mindset,
activate your strengths anduncover deeper meaning in your
journey.
I'm creating future episodes toaddress your unique challenges,
(00:45):
but I need your input.
What are your biggest questionsor struggles when it comes to
your journey?
Share them with me bycompleting the Google form
that's linked in the show notes.
Your voice matters and togetherwe can create something truly
powerful.
I can't wait to hear from you.
Create something truly powerful.
I can't wait to hear from you.
(01:05):
Welcome to the Breast CancerReimagined Podcast.
Hi, I'm Shannon, your host.
Thanks for joining.
I'm a proud two-time breastcancer survivor and I'm on a
mission to help women shifttheir mindset, activate their
strengths and uncover deepermeaning in their breast cancer
journey.
This is the first episode ofthe podcast and I'm excited to
(01:30):
talk about mindset because thestory you tell about your breast
cancer journey shapes yourentire experience.
I'll start by sharing about mybreast cancer journey.
It started in January of 2017.
In 2017, I declared it the yearof joy, and so what I did is I
(01:52):
created a bucket list of thingsthat I wanted to be do and have
in 2017.
And in October, I had myroutine mammogram and the
results came back that I haddense breast tissue, so the
doctor recommended that I do abiopsy.
I did the biopsy and then, afew weeks later, I got the phone
(02:12):
call.
I found out I had grade twoinvasive ductal carcinoma of the
right breast.
Wait, what?
Breast cancer wasn't on my joybucket list.
What's happening?
That's when I realized that Ihad a decision to make.
Do I cancel the year of joybecause I have breast cancer, or
is it still the year of joyeven with breast cancer?
(02:35):
So I made a decision thatshaped my experience and I
decided that it was still theyear of joy, even with breast
cancer.
Making this decision didn'tmake everything joyful and I was
still really scared, but it setme up to tell a story about my
(02:55):
breast cancer journey thatshaped my entire experience.
So, instead of fighting breastcancer, I shifted my mindset,
and then I activated mystrengths and I began to uncover
deeper meaning in my journey,and so I created this podcast to
help you reimagine your breastcancer journey and do the same.
(03:17):
So in this episode, we'retalking about shifting your
mindset.
So let's start the conversationby first defining mindset.
Mindset is a collection ofbeliefs, attitudes and
perspectives that shape thestory you tell about how you
respond to the challenge ofbreast cancer and, ultimately,
(03:38):
how you grow from the experience.
Let's take a look at each ofthe components.
We'll start with beliefs.
Your beliefs are the foundationof your story.
When you believe in yourability to handle challenges,
your narrative becomes one ofcourage and resilience.
Your belief in yourself canempower you to face treatment
(04:01):
with strength and to navigatethe unknown with confidence.
The second component isattitude.
Now, your attitude sets thetone for your journey.
A hopeful, determined attitudehelps to create a story of
empowerment, turning the journeyinto one of growth.
Now, on the other hand, anegative attitude can make it
(04:25):
harder to move throughchallenges, and it may result in
a story filled with struggle.
And the third componentperspective.
Now, your perspective is thelens through which you view your
breast cancer experience.
So when you see challenges asopportunities for growth and
transformation, obstacles becomestepping stones.
(04:48):
Now that we've explored how yourbeliefs, your attitudes and
your perspectives shape thestory you're telling about your
breast cancer journey, it'simportant to recognize that
there are two types of mindsetsthat can influence how you
navigate this journey a fixedmindset or a growth mindset.
With a fixed mindset, you maybelieve that your abilities, the
(05:11):
circumstances and even yourability to cope with breast
cancer are fixed andunchangeable.
You might see challenges asroadblocks rather than
opportunities, and you couldfeel helpless when faced with
adversity.
This mindset can lead you tosee your journey as something
you have to just endure,something to get through, rather
(05:33):
than as an opportunity forgrowth.
In contrast, a growth mindsetit's based on the belief that
you can develop, adapt and growthrough challenges.
With this mindset, you can viewyour breast cancer journey as
an opportunity to learn, to growand to transform, and you'll
(05:55):
focus on the possibilities forimprovement, knowing that
through your efforts, resilienceand openness to change, you can
emerge stronger and moreempowered.
One of my favorite books.
It's called Cultures of Growthhow the New Science of Mindset
Can Transform Individuals, teamsand Organizations.
(06:17):
It's by Mary C Murphy and inthe book she says.
The reality is that no one haseither a fixed or a growth
mindset.
Mindset exists on a continuum.
Growth mindset Mindset existson a continuum and, although we
may favor a fixed or a growthmindset, we all have both, and
(06:41):
shifting between them issomething each one of us does.
Now I want you to think aboutyour current beliefs, attitudes
and perspectives about yourbreast cancer journey.
Where do you fall on thecontinuum?
Are you leaning more towards afixed mindset or a growth
mindset?
Or maybe you find yourselfsomewhere in between?
It's completely okay whereveryou are.
(07:03):
Breast cancer is a serioushealth condition and everyone's
experience is unique.
But what truly matters isbecoming aware of where you are
right now, because thisawareness gives you the power to
shift your mindset and approachyour journey with a sense of
growth, if you choose to.
(07:24):
Your mindset can also evolveover time and as it does so,
does the story you tell aboutyour experience.
By understanding this mindsetcontinuum, you can also start to
recognize when you're slippinginto a fixed mindset and you can
intentionally shift towards agrowth mindset.
(07:44):
This ability to adapt yourthinking can help you navigate
challenges, learn from setbacksand ultimately thrive through
your breast cancer journey.
So, now that we've talked aboutthese three components beliefs,
attitudes and perspectives andwe talked about the two types of
mindset growth mindset andfixed mindset let's explore
(08:08):
shifting your mindset.
Shifting your mindset isn't justa mental exercise.
It's really about deciding onpurpose how you want to navigate
this chapter of your life.
It's choosing the story youwant to tell Now.
This doesn't mean denying thedifficulties.
It means embracing theopportunity to grow through the
(08:32):
difficulties, embracing theopportunity to heal and thrive
because of them.
I'm going to share with you twodifferent techniques to help
you shift your mindset Now.
The first technique is shiftingyour focus from what's wrong to
what's strong.
Now, this one's really aboutacknowledging and celebrating
(08:53):
the qualities that make youresilient, capable and
resourceful, so you can thrivein your breast cancer journey.
Ultimately, it's aboutactivating your strengths, your
character strengths which arethe positive parts of your
personality and they contributeto your personal growth,
well-being and flourishing.
(09:14):
Character strengths such asbravery, gratitude, hope and
love.
These are examples of thestrengths that you can bring to
your journey, and shifting yourfocus from what's wrong to
what's strong isn't just a gamechanger.
It's a life changer.
Make sure you tune into episodetwo for a deeper dive into this
(09:36):
topic.
In this episode, we're going tofocus on the second option,
which is reframing.
Now, I can't talk aboutreframing without sharing my
favorite Wayne Dyer quote.
Here goes when you change theway you look at things, the
things you look at change.
So to reframe a challenge, itmeans to change your perspective
(09:59):
on a difficult situation.
It means to change yourperspective on a difficult
situation when you reframe yourbreast cancer journey through
the lens of a growth mindset.
You're choosing to see it notas something that negatively
defines you, but as anopportunity for development, for
learning and personal growth.
Now, this doesn't mean that youshould ignore the challenges or
(10:20):
pretend they don't exist.
It means to consciously shiftyour focus to how you can learn
and grow through the challenges.
How you frame your experiencecan really shape how you cope
with the challenges of breastcancer and how you heal along
(10:42):
the way.
I'm going to share a little bitmore about my story.
When I was diagnosed with gradetwo invasive ductal carcinoma
of the right breast in 2017, Imade another decision that
shaped my journey.
I'll never forget it.
I was on my way to the medicalcenter.
I was driving there to meetwith the surgeon for the first
time, and as soon as I saw thesign that said Stanford Medical
(11:02):
Center, I burst into tears.
I just couldn't believe that Ihad breast cancer.
I mean, I didn't have a lump.
There was no history in myfamily what was happening.
So I arrived and I parked inthe parking structure on the top
floor in the corner, I turnedoff my car and I cried and I
(11:23):
cried.
Finally the tears stopped and Itook a breath and I said to
myself I said okay, shannon, wedon't want to go through this
every time you go to anappointment, because you're
going to be coming here a lot.
So how can we reframe thisexperience so you look forward
(11:44):
to coming?
That question instantly made mefeel lighter because I realized
I had a choice, and so in thatmoment I decided that breast
cancer wasn't happening to me.
Breast cancer was happening forme to learn and grow, and at the
time I had no idea what lessonsawaited or how I would grow.
(12:09):
But this mindset became myanchor.
It really transformed my fearinto purpose and my hardship
into hope.
The journey didn't just test me, it transformed me.
It taught me that even in mymost vulnerable moments I could
activate my strengths anduncover deeper meaning from my
(12:30):
experience, breast cancer didn'tdefine me.
It refined me.
Reframing is powerful and I wantto share with you three
benefits of reframing yourbreast cancer experience.
The first benefit reframingcreates space for
(13:02):
self-compassion because it theemotional challenges of your
breast cancer journey, leadingto greater resilience and
healing.
So ask yourself, how would yourjourney change if you were more
compassionate towards yourself.
Here's the second benefitReframing makes breast cancer a
part of a larger plan and thismeans that there's a unique
(13:26):
purpose for you in thisexperience.
It can help you to accept whatis happening instead of fighting
against it.
Ask yourself, how would yourjourney change if you knew there
was a unique purpose for you inthis experience?
Your journey change if you knewthere was a unique purpose for
you in this experience, and thebest part is that you get to
(13:51):
decide what that purpose is.
For me, my purpose became clearwhen I was navigating my breast
cancer journey.
I remember sharing with familyand friends and colleagues about
my breast cancer diagnosis andupcoming treatment, and what I
noticed is that they all saidthe same things.
They said things like you gotthis, or you're such a bright
light, or your joy is socontagious.
And after reading and hearingall of these comments, it became
(14:15):
clear my purpose is to spreadjoy and to be a bright light in
the world, and to do that evenwhile navigating breast cancer.
The third benefit of reframingit helps you to focus on the
aspects of your life that youcan actively change or influence
(14:36):
, such as your actions, yourdecisions, your mindset, your
responses to situations.
This is really importantbecause when you focus on things
outside of your actions, yourdecisions, your mindset, your
responses to situations this isreally important because when
you focus on things outside ofyour control, such as external
circumstances or other people'sactions and opinions, it can
lead to frustration and feelingsof helplessness.
Now it's your turn.
(14:58):
It's your turn to shift yourmindset by reframing the story
you tell about your breastcancer journey.
So what I'm going to do is I'mgoing to share five different
mindsets with you.
Pick the one that lights aspark within you.
Write it down, because thismindset will set the stage for
this new chapter in your life.
(15:19):
You can also think of thismindset as the title of this new
chapter, and so for eachmindset, I will read it two
times for you.
Number one breast cancer ishappening for me to learn and
grow.
Breast cancer is happening forme to learn and grow.
(15:39):
Two breast cancer is shaping meinto the person I am meant to
be.
Breast cancer is shaping meinto the person I am meant to be
.
Three breast cancer is teachingme valuable lessons.
Breast cancer is teaching mevaluable lessons.
(16:02):
Breast cancer is teaching mevaluable lessons.
Four, breast cancer is shapingme into a stronger, wiser
version of myself.
Breast cancer is shaping meinto a stronger, wiser version
of myself.
And five, breast cancer ishelping me discover my
resilience, one day at a time.
(16:23):
Breast cancer is helping mediscover my resilience, one day
at a time.
Now you're going to want to holdthis mindset close and let it
guide you through the toughestdays.
And, as we talked about earliermindset, it's on a continuum
and we shift between a fixed anda growth mindset, and so I'm
(16:47):
going to share with you threesimple practices to help you
reinforce your mindset.
The first one is to reflectdaily.
Take a few moments every day towrite down or think about how
your new mindset is influencingyour journey.
You might want to ask yourselfwhat have I learned today, or
(17:08):
how is this shaping me for thebetter?
You might want to use a journalto capture these insights.
And the second way to reinforceyour new mindset is to
celebrate small wins.
Acknowledge the small steps youtake each day, whether it's
resting, smiling or facing afear.
Each small victory reinforcesthe strength and resilience your
(17:31):
mindset is helping you uncover,and make sure you keep a list
of these wins to revisit on thetougher days.
And lastly, practice gratitude.
Identify one thing each daythat sparks gratitude.
No matter how small.
Gratitude can anchor you whenemotions feel overwhelming, and
(17:54):
this also helps to keep yourfocus on growth and positivity
aligning with your mindset oflearning and transformation.
With these practices, you canreinforce a mindset that
empowers and uplifts you, evenin the face of challenges.
Which practice are you mostexcited about?
(18:14):
Now it's your turn to reimagineyour breast cancer story.
As we close out this episode,be sure to number one, write
down the mindset you've chosenon a piece of paper and post it
somewhere so you can see itdaily.
And, number two, choose atechnique to reinforce your
mindset Reflect daily, celebratesmall wins or practice
(18:38):
gratitude.
Before you go, I want to sharewith you a bonus tip Find a song
that embodies your mindset.
My mindset is breast cancer ishappening for me to learn and
grow, so I picked the song theClimb by Miley Cyrus.
This song now is my personalanthem for resilience and
(18:59):
perseverance.
It encourages me to focus on myprogress and the lessons I am
learning along the way.
Thank you so much for joiningand I look forward to talking
with you in the next episode.
Bye for now.
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