When my husband and I started our journey of learning how to run a business, I must admit, I was filled with excitement during the first few years, and we had no clue what a growth mindset was. However, as time went on and we dedicated ourselves to building our business, we quickly developed a growth mindset and became workaholics. Our lives literally revolved entirely around work, but we also gained a wealth of knowledge along the way.
Let me share with you the invaluable lessons we’ve learned while building our business. These tips, acquired through personal experience, will definitely help you foster a healthy and successful growth mindset.
Table of Contents
What is a growth mindset?
A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities and intelligence can improve over time through hard work, dedication, perseverance and learning from your mistakes.
People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to grow and improve, rather than being limited by their current abilities.
They’re open to feedback and continuously try to improve themselves, knowing that with effort and practice, they can reach their goals and their full potential.
This growth mindset involves a love for learning and the ability to overcome obstacles with resilience and determination.
How to Create a Healthy, Successful Growth Mindset (10 Tips From Business Experience)
1. Break Free from the Victim Mindset
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving success and a growth mindset in life is overcoming the victim mindset. It’s easy to spot someone with this mindset – they believe that the world is conspiring against them and that they have no control over their circumstances.
What they fail to realize is that this mindset is a form of learned helplessness. The good news is that you have the power to break free from this mindset and take charge of your life. Those negative voices in your head? They don’t define you, and you don’t have to listen to them or let them dictate your actions. It’s time to embark on a journey of self-discovery and chart your own path to success.
2. Keep a Positive Outlook
I understand that it can be challenging to maintain a positive outlook when life throws curveballs at you. However, dwelling on problems and negativity will only keep you trapped in an unhappy state. Instead, focus on finding solutions and opportunities amidst the challenges, which is what is needed for a healthy business growth mindset.
3. Embrace Change
It’s no secret that most people are not fond of change. It can be uncomfortable, bringing unwanted stress and frustration into our lives. For introverts, change can evoke fear of the unknown, while perfectionists may experience anxiety as they strive to meet their own often unrealistic expectations. Yes, change can be challenging.
However, it’s important to remember that change is all about perception. If we view it negatively, it will undoubtedly bring us stress and self-doubt. We may even convince ourselves that we are incapable of change.
But what if we were to associate change with something positive?
What if we saw it as an opportunity for enjoyment, achievement, and success?
What if it made us feel stronger, more confident, and invincible?
We often perceive change as a monumental and uncomfortable shift in our lives, but in reality, it is usually a series of small steps that lead us to a significant transformation. Each time we make a decision that deviates from our usual patterns, it takes us in a different direction, leading to another decision and eventually to a crossroads where we must make yet another choice.
By taking small steps along the way, we make change more manageable. This adaptive approach to change is how we learn and grow, making the experience far less intimidating.
Change is essential if we want to pursue our dreams and passions in life. It is through change that opportunities present themselves, allowing us to discover our true potential and the possibilities that lie ahead. As we progress and achieve, we feel a sense of success and fulfillment, making life truly exciting.
4. Trust Your Instincts, and Assess Your Risks
I’ve combined these two concepts because they are closely intertwined. You can’t have one without the other.
Think about it – would you blindly jump off a cliff just because someone said it was a good idea? The same principle applies to life’s ventures. We must carefully consider the pros and cons, weigh the risks against the rewards, and balance our dreams with reality.
Assessing risks requires effort – it involves delving into the details, exploring options, seeking alternatives, and finding solutions. Before diving headfirst into something, gather information and thoroughly research what you want to do.
While calculating your risk tolerance, it’s crucial to listen to your instincts. Trusting your gut feeling can guide you towards better decision-making. This intuition is honed through real-life experiences, knowledge, and skills. The more experience you gain, the more adept you become at making sound decisions. However, it’s important to acknowledge that biases can sometimes cloud our judgment, our preconceived notions about others may be incorrect, and we may overlook important factors simply because we are unaware of them. It’s a bit paradoxical, isn’t it?
Therefore, it’s essential to combine both your instincts and calculated strategies to make informed decisions. And always remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
5. The Importance of Patience for a Healthy Growth Mindset
The Importance of Patience
In today’s fast-paced world, it seems like patience is a virtue that is often overlooked. However, what many fail to realize is that impatience can have a profound impact on various aspects of our lives, including our pursuit to success.
The Negative Effects of Impatience
When we lack patience, it not only affects us but also those around us. Our decision-making becomes impulsive, and we feel a diminished sense of control over the situations we face. Moreover, working towards long-term goals becomes challenging, and our relationships may suffer as a result. People may be less inclined to lend a helping hand, and our restless and tense demeanor can lead to a negative attitude and even anxiety. Additionally, impatience can harm our reputation and hinder our career advancement, potentially costing us promotions or important projects.
The Key to Success: Patience and Perseverance
True success is built upon the foundation of patience, perseverance, and nurturing positive relationships. While it may seem like we are accomplishing a lot when we are constantly busy, the reality is that impatience ultimately leads to disappointment. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate a calm and patient approach into our lives.
By embracing patience, we can navigate challenges with a clearer mind, make more thoughtful decisions, and maintain healthier relationships. Patience allows us to focus on long-term goals and work steadily towards achieving them. It also fosters a positive and approachable demeanor, making others more willing to support and collaborate with us.
Incorporating Patience into Your Life
To develop a patience, it is essential to practice self-awareness and mindfulness. Take a moment to reflect on situations that trigger impatience and explore ways to respond more calmly and thoughtfully. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can also help cultivate patience.
Remember, success is not a race but a journey.
6. Stop Waiting for the Perfect Moment! Start Taking Control of Your Life
I hate to burst your bubble, but let’s face it – there will never be a perfect moment to start working towards the success you desire. If you constantly shy away from taking risks, you’ll remain stagnant and never evolve beyond your current circumstances.
You cannot wait for the stars to align before making a move, because chances are, you’ll be waiting forever. There are countless reasons why people put things off, and let me tell you, procrastination is a dream killer!
People often wait for the “right” time or when they have enough money. Sometimes they wait out of fear of failure, or because they’re afraid of change. They may also hesitate because they doubt their own intelligence, listen to the opinions of inexperienced individuals, dwell on worst-case scenarios, or let past failures hold them back. Poor motivation, low self-esteem, and personal anxieties can also contribute to this cycle of waiting.
But here’s the truth – whatever is holding you back will never magically disappear. You need to learn to tackle each step as it comes, without waiting for the perfect conditions.
Now, let me offer you some food for thought. Have you ever noticed that when you find yourself in a new and unfamiliar situation, you always manage to find a way out? Well, the same principle applies when you take the leap towards change. All you have to do is keep making one decision after another, and you’ll eventually find your way out.
So, it’s time to adopt a more proactive mindset. Stop waiting for your life to align perfectly and start taking control of your life now. Embrace the challenges, face your fears, and make decisions that will propel you towards the success you deserve. Remember, the perfect moment is an illusion – the only moment that truly matters is the one you choose to act upon.
7. Search For the Answers You’re Looking For (AKA. Don’t Give Up)
In life, not everyone will readily offer their support or grant you a resounding “yes.” Achieving your desired success requires you to take charge and find the answers you’re looking for. However, this journey may demand resilience, as for every “yes” you encounter, there will likely be ten “no’s.” Therefore, it is crucial not to give up at the first hurdle, but rather find a way to manifest your success.
Remember, each “no” you encounter is not a personal attack; it’s merely a part of the process. Stay strong and motivated, thinking outside the box to explore alternative avenues. Seek guidance from others who possess the knowledge and experience you lack, because sometimes we’re just unaware of what we do not know.
If you find yourself struggling to make progress in your endeavors, it may be necessary to exercise patience, improve your skills and knowledge, or even secure additional financial resources. Embrace curiosity and ask numerous questions to gain clarity from other professionals. You will get there.
8. Leave Your Ego Behind and Foster Genuine Connections
When it comes to achieving success, one of the most crucial steps is to shed your ego and genuinely connect with others. By doing so, you can gain valuable experience, exposure, skills, and knowledge. This is a huge accomplishment to building a healthy growth mindset.
Let’s face it, nobody wants to engage with someone who is completely self-absorbed! It’s even worse if they lack the expertise to back it up.
Always remember that there will always be something you don’t know, both in life and in your business endeavors. The best favor you can do for yourself is to be honest and embrace the idea of being the least knowledgeable person in the room. Why, you may ask? Because that’s where true learning happens!
So, let go of your ego and abandon the mindless gossip. Instead, focus on actively listening, showing empathy, and forging genuine connections with others.
Embark on your own exciting adventures in life and don’t hesitate to share your experiences with others.
9. Prioritize Self-Care for a Healthy Growth Mindset
Taking care of yourself can be quite challenging when you are fully dedicated to building a successful business, striving for promotions, or excelling in school.
However, it is important to recognize that constantly pushing yourself without taking breaks can have detrimental effects, and is not healthy in developing a healthy growth mindset.
While it is possible to become more resilient to the demands of a busy life over time, there inevitably comes a point where it all catches up with you. Therefore, it is essential to learn how to prioritize self-care before you completely run out of energy. If you start feeling physically or emotionally drained, take action and avoid burnout before your body and mind force you to make time for yourself.
By consciously making self-care a priority, you can ensure that you have the energy and mental clarity necessary to achieve your goals. Remember, success is not solely about working tirelessly; it also involves taking care of your well-being.
So, take a step back, recharge, and invest in yourself.
10. Knowing When to Delegate Excessive Workload
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been raised with the mindset of saving every penny. However, there comes a time in growing a business where you must consider outsourcing some of your workload to maintain your sanity.
You’ll know when you’ve reached this breaking point. You will mentally and-or physically be exhausted, and you may start experiencing other anxieties related to falling behind. Perhaps you find yourself becoming short-tempered with those around you, and your patience wears thin. At this point you’re not in a good place and your healthy growth mindset is slipping.
Once you reach the point of burnout, it can take a significant amount of time to recover. Even if you start outsourcing tasks for your business, switching off that overwhelming feeling isn’t an easy task for everybody. To be completely honest, it took me a whole year to start feeling like myself again.
So, the takeaway, it’s crucial to learn to take care of yourself along the way and delegate your workload when it starts to become too much. Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone.
Thank Your Credits: Cover photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.