Breast Cancer Reimagined

Shift Your Mindset

• Shannon • Season 1 • Episode 1

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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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Speaker 1:

The story you tell yourself about your breast cancer journey shapes your entire experience, whether you've been recently diagnosed or are in the midst of treatment. Breast Cancer Reimagined is your podcast for writing this new chapter of your life. Hi, I'm Shannon, your host, and I'm so glad you're here. As a proud two-time breast cancer survivor, I'm on a mission to help women like you reimagine how you navigate your breast cancer journey by helping you shift your mindset, activate your strengths and uncover deeper meaning in your journey. I'm creating future episodes to address your unique challenges, but I need your input. What are your biggest questions or struggles when it comes to your journey? Share them with me by completing the Google form that's linked in the show notes. Your voice matters and together we 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. Welcome to the Breast Cancer Reimagined Podcast. Hi, I'm Shannon, your host. Thanks for joining. I'm a proud two-time breast cancer survivor and I'm on a mission to help women shift their mindset, activate their strengths and uncover deeper meaning in their breast cancer journey. This is the first episode of the podcast and I'm excited to talk about mindset because the story you tell about your breast cancer journey shapes your entire experience. I'll start by sharing about my breast cancer journey. It started in January of 2017.

Speaker 1:

In 2017, I declared it the year of joy, and so what I did is I created a bucket list of things that I wanted to be do and have in 2017. And in October, I had my routine mammogram and the results came back that I had dense breast tissue, so the doctor recommended that I do a biopsy. I did the biopsy and then, a few weeks later, I got the phone call. I found out I had grade two invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast. Wait, what? Breast cancer wasn't on my joy bucket list. What's happening? That's when I realized that I had a decision to make. Do I cancel the year of joy because I have breast cancer, or is it still the year of joy even with breast cancer? So I made a decision that shaped my experience and I decided that it was still the year of joy, even with breast cancer. Making this decision didn't make everything joyful and I was still really scared, but it set me up to tell a story about my breast cancer journey that shaped my entire experience. So, instead of fighting breast cancer, I shifted my mindset, and then I activated my strengths and I began to uncover deeper meaning in my journey, and so I created this podcast to help you reimagine your breast cancer journey and do the same.

Speaker 1:

So in this episode, we're talking about shifting your mindset. So let's start the conversation by first defining mindset. Mindset is a collection of beliefs, attitudes and perspectives that shape the story you tell about how you respond to the challenge of breast cancer and, ultimately, how you grow from the experience. Let's take a look at each of the components. We'll start with beliefs. Your beliefs are the foundation of your story. When you believe in your ability to handle challenges, your narrative becomes one of courage and resilience. Your belief in yourself can empower you to face treatment with strength and to navigate the unknown with confidence. The second component is attitude. Now, your attitude sets the tone for your journey. A hopeful, determined attitude helps to create a story of empowerment, turning the journey into one of growth. Now, on the other hand, a negative attitude can make it harder to move through challenges, and it may result in a story filled with struggle. And the third component perspective. Now, your perspective is the lens through which you view your breast cancer experience. So when you see challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation, obstacles become stepping stones.

Speaker 1:

Now that we've explored how your beliefs, your attitudes and your perspectives shape the story you're telling about your breast cancer journey, it's important to recognize that there are two types of mindsets that can influence how you navigate this journey a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. With a fixed mindset, you may believe that your abilities, the circumstances and even your ability to cope with breast cancer are fixed and unchangeable. You might see challenges as roadblocks rather than opportunities, and you could feel helpless when faced with adversity. This mindset can lead you to see your journey as something you have to just endure, something to get through, rather than as an opportunity for growth. In contrast, a growth mindset it's based on the belief that you can develop, adapt and grow through challenges. With this mindset, you can view your breast cancer journey as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to transform, and you'll focus on the possibilities for improvement, knowing that through your efforts, resilience and openness to change, you can emerge stronger and more empowered.

Speaker 1:

One of my favorite books. It's called Cultures of Growth how the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, teams and Organizations. It's by Mary C Murphy and in the book she says. The reality is that no one has either a fixed or a growth mindset. Mindset exists on a continuum. Growth mindset Mindset exists on a continuum and, although we may favor a fixed or a growth mindset, we all have both, and shifting between them is something each one of us does.

Speaker 1:

Now I want you to think about your current beliefs, attitudes and perspectives about your breast cancer journey. Where do you fall on the continuum? Are you leaning more towards a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Or maybe you find yourself somewhere in between? It's completely okay wherever you are. Breast cancer is a serious health condition and everyone's experience is unique. But what truly matters is becoming aware of where you are right now, because this awareness gives you the power to shift your mindset and approach your journey with a sense of growth, if you choose to. Your mindset can also evolve over time and as it does so, does the story you tell about your experience. By understanding this mindset continuum, you can also start to recognize when you're slipping into a fixed mindset and you can intentionally shift towards a growth mindset. This ability to adapt your thinking can help you navigate challenges, learn from setbacks and ultimately thrive through your breast cancer journey. So, now that we've talked about these three components beliefs, attitudes and perspectives and we talked about the two types of mindset growth mindset and fixed mindset let's explore shifting your mindset.

Speaker 1:

Shifting your mindset isn't just a mental exercise. It's really about deciding on purpose how you want to navigate this chapter of your life. It's choosing the story you want to tell Now. This doesn't mean denying the difficulties. It means embracing the opportunity to grow through the difficulties, embracing the opportunity to heal and thrive because of them. I'm going to share with you two different techniques to help you shift your mindset Now. The first technique is shifting your focus from what's wrong to what's strong. Now, this one's really about acknowledging and celebrating the qualities that make you resilient, capable and resourceful, so you can thrive in your breast cancer journey. Ultimately, it's about activating your strengths, your character strengths which are the positive parts of your personality and they contribute to your personal growth, well-being and flourishing. Character strengths such as bravery, gratitude, hope and love. These are examples of the strengths that you can bring to your journey, and shifting your focus from what's wrong to what's strong isn't just a game changer. It's a life changer.

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Make sure you tune into episode two for a deeper dive into this topic. In this episode, we're going to focus on the second option, which is reframing. Now, I can't talk about reframing without sharing my favorite Wayne Dyer quote. Here goes when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. So to reframe a challenge, it means to change your perspective on a difficult situation. It means to change your perspective on a difficult situation when you reframe your breast cancer journey through the lens of a growth mindset. You're choosing to see it not as something that negatively defines you, but as an opportunity for development, for learning and personal growth. Now, this doesn't mean that you should ignore the challenges or pretend they don't exist. It means to consciously shift your focus to how you can learn and grow through the challenges. How you frame your experience can really shape how you cope with the challenges of breast cancer and how you heal along the way.

Speaker 1:

I'm going to share a little bit more about my story. When I was diagnosed with grade two invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast in 2017, I made another decision that shaped my journey. I'll never forget it. I was on my way to the medical center. I was driving there to meet with the surgeon for the first time, and as soon as I saw the sign that said Stanford Medical Center, I burst into tears. I just couldn't believe that I had breast cancer. I mean, I didn't have a lump. There was no history in my family what was happening. So I arrived and I parked in the parking structure on the top floor in the corner, I turned off my car and I cried and I cried. Finally the tears stopped and I took a breath and I said to myself I said okay, shannon, we don't want to go through this every time you go to an appointment, because you're going to be coming here a lot. So how can we reframe this experience so you look forward to coming? That question instantly made me feel lighter because I realized I had a choice, and so in that moment I decided that breast cancer wasn't happening to me.

Speaker 1:

Breast cancer was happening for me to learn and grow, and at the time I had no idea what lessons awaited or how I would grow. But this mindset became my anchor. It really transformed my fear into purpose and my hardship into hope. The journey didn't just test me, it transformed me. It taught me that even in my most vulnerable moments I could activate my strengths and uncover deeper meaning from my experience, breast cancer didn't define me. It refined me.

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Reframing is powerful and I want to share with you three benefits of reframing your breast cancer experience. The first benefit reframing creates space for self-compassion because it the emotional challenges of your breast cancer journey, leading to greater resilience and healing. So ask yourself, how would your journey change if you were more compassionate towards yourself. Here's the second benefit Reframing makes breast cancer a part of a larger plan and this means that there's a unique purpose for you in this experience. It can help you to accept what is happening instead of fighting against it. Ask yourself, how would your journey change if you knew there was a unique purpose for you in this experience? Your journey change if you knew there was a unique purpose for you in this experience, and the best part is that you get to decide what that purpose is. For me, my purpose became clear when I was navigating my breast cancer journey. I remember sharing with family and friends and colleagues about my breast cancer diagnosis and upcoming treatment, and what I noticed is that they all said the same things. They said things like you got this, or you're such a bright light, or your joy is so contagious. And after reading and hearing all of these comments, it became clear my purpose is to spread joy and to be a bright light in the world, and to do that even while navigating breast cancer.

Speaker 1:

The third benefit of reframing it helps you to focus on the aspects of your life that you can actively change or influence, such as your actions, your decisions, your mindset, your responses to situations. This is really important because when you focus on things outside of your actions, your decisions, your mindset, your responses to situations this is really important because when you focus on things outside of your control, such as external circumstances or other people's actions and opinions, it can lead to frustration and feelings of helplessness. Now it's your turn. It's your turn to shift your mindset by reframing the story you tell about your breast cancer journey. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to share five different mindsets with you. Pick the one that lights a spark within you. Write it down, because this mindset will set the stage for this new chapter in your life. You can also think of this mindset as the title of this new chapter, and so for each mindset, I will read it two times for you.

Speaker 1:

Number one breast cancer is happening for me to learn and grow. Breast cancer is happening for me to learn and grow. Two breast cancer is shaping me into the person I am meant to be. Breast cancer is shaping me into the person I am meant to be. Three breast cancer is teaching me valuable lessons. Breast cancer is teaching me valuable lessons. Breast cancer is teaching me valuable lessons. Four, breast cancer is shaping me into a stronger, wiser version of myself. Breast cancer is shaping me into a stronger, wiser version of myself. And five, breast cancer is helping me discover my resilience, one day at a time. Breast cancer is helping me discover my resilience, one day at a time.

Speaker 1:

Now you're going to want to hold this mindset close and let it guide you through the toughest days. And, as we talked about earlier mindset, it's on a continuum and we shift between a fixed and a growth mindset, and so I'm going to share with you three simple practices to help you reinforce your mindset. The first one is to reflect daily. Take a few moments every day to write down or think about how your new mindset is influencing your journey. You might want to ask yourself what have I learned today, or how is this shaping me for the better? You might want to use a journal to capture these insights. And the second way to reinforce your new mindset is to celebrate small wins. Acknowledge the small steps you take each day, whether it's resting, smiling or facing a fear. Each small victory reinforces the strength and resilience your mindset is helping you uncover, and make sure you keep a list of these wins to revisit on the tougher days. And lastly, practice gratitude. Identify one thing each day that sparks gratitude. No matter how small. Gratitude can anchor you when emotions feel overwhelming, and this also helps to keep your focus on growth and positivity aligning with your mindset of learning and transformation. With these practices, you can reinforce a mindset that empowers and uplifts you, even in the face of challenges. Which practice are you most excited about?

Speaker 1:

Now it's your turn to reimagine your breast cancer story. As we close out this episode, be sure to number one, write down the mindset you've chosen on a piece of paper and post it somewhere so you can see it daily. And, number two, choose a technique to reinforce your mindset Reflect daily, celebrate small wins or practice gratitude. Before you go, I want to share with you a bonus tip Find a song that embodies your mindset. My mindset is breast cancer is happening for me to learn and grow, so I picked the song the Climb by Miley Cyrus. This song now is my personal anthem for resilience and perseverance. It encourages me to focus on my progress and the lessons I am learning along the way. Thank you so much for joining and I look forward to talking with you in the next episode. Bye for now.