“Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.” — Samuel Johnson
When it comes to running your business successfully, a growth mindset can be one of your most valuable assets. Innovation, strong leadership and continual learning all come from having a mindset focused on growth. Unlike a fixed mindset which can mean a person avoids challenges, and gives up easily, a person with a growth mindset sees challenges as opportunities and believes anyone can do and be good at anything.
Here are five ways to move from a fixed mindset to one of growth and success:
1. Strengthen your resilience
There is no denying that life can get a little challenging at times, however it’s your attitude which determines your outcome. We all define and react differently to adversity. Resilience is pushing through the hard times to get to the other side. Staying resilient and viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth shows that every experience, whether good or bad, is able to teach us something new. Try to change your internal dialogue from a fixed mindset “why is this happening to me?” to a growth mindset “what is this trying to teach me?”
2. Get comfortable being uncomfortable
Growth rarely comes from being comfortable. So if you’re going to develop a growth mindset, you’ll need to get comfortable putting yourself in situations which make you feel a little uncomfortable. This transition might not feel great to start with, but can go a long way in terms of personal and business growth. It’s only by stretching yourself that you’ll be able to discover new talents and experiences. Anything worthwhile doesn’t come easy so the idea is not to avoid discomfort but welcome and embrace it. Try to do something new, either in business or in your personal life at least once a month. You will be surprised how quickly it becomes easier to be uncomfortable!
3. Accept failure as part of the journey
Accepting failure is strong growth mindset behaviour. Most successful entrepreneurs have experienced failure. Failure is part of growth and fearing failure will only hold you back and keep you from taking risks. To truly embody a growth mindset, you must accept that no matter how hard you try to do something, it won’t always turn out the way you’d hoped. This is why people with a growth mindset view failure as an opportunity to succeed, learn and grow. A good way to move towards accepting failure is to read about other entrepreneurs and their journeys. Understanding that failure can lead to greater heights is easier to understand when you see it in real examples.
4. Challenge your own beliefs
There is untapped potential in every single person, however it’s only a minority of us who choose to tap into it. Our own personal beliefs can really affect our level of success and the way we think can have a long-term effect on our business. If you have trouble believing in yourself, or your business, others will also find it hard to believe in you too. A growth mindset is challenging your beliefs by believing that things can change, regardless of the situation. It can help to join a group of similar minded people who can help boost you up while you work on yourself.
5. Learn from others
Developing a growth mindset takes grit, persistence and inner strength, however it doesn’t have to be done alone. Talking to a growth mentor can help you on your path. A mentor that you respect can be an invaluable tool in business. They can provide a different point of view, bounce ideas around and give honest feedback. As well as helping you overcome any conscious and unconscious thoughts, a mentor can also show you strengths and attributes which already exist inside you. Consider meeting with a mentor regularly to get the full benefit of this growth opportunity.
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So as you can see cultivating a growth mindset is not an easy task, but it does contribute to a rewarding journey. A growth mindset takes time, patience and perseverance. Consistently challenging your beliefs, developing resilience, stepping out of your comfort zone and getting support from a mentor can be instrumental in not only improving your mindset, but taking your life and business to an even higher level.
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