Tara Best shares an introduction to mindset and why it is vital for business success
Your mindset is everything. It seems an overstatement, but it is actually the most important asset that you have. The best ideas and concepts in the world will remain just that if the underpinning mindset isn’t right.
It’s no secret that we are currently facing an extremely challenging environment, affecting everything from safety, leisure, and work. Added to the normal stresses of daily life, it can sometimes be overwhelming – trust me, I’ve been there. Choosing to approach each day with a positive mind and mentality will help you to navigate any challenges you will come across and find the opportunities, not focus on the negatives. You have the power to choose what kind of day you are going to have – so choose wisely!
Interestingly, mindset goes way beyond just ‘the mind.’ Your beliefs, your attitude, your passion, your habits, are all down to mindset.
Let’s say you wake up feeling tired and unmotivated, and do nothing to challenge that belief. That will set the tone for the rest of your day, affecting your mood, productivity and output. However, if you get out of bed and consciously decide that you’re going to get yourself feeling pumped for the day then that’s how you’ll feel. Your thoughts are more powerful than you ever realise.Remember, your mindset is the single biggest weapon you have – use it wisely.
So, what is mindset?
Mindset is a way of thinking; your frame of mind. Your mindset is a collection of thoughts and beliefs that shape your ‘thought habits’. In turn, your thought habits affect how you think, what you feel and do. Your mindset impacts how you make sense of the world and yourself.
Your mind is divided into your conscious and unconscious mind. Interestingly, the unconscious takes up a staggering 96% of your mind space! Your unconscious mind is the part we want to work with.
Your current beliefs have generally been ingrained since you were a young child. If you were told when you were younger that ‘money doesn’t grow on trees’ you’ll likely believe it to be true well into your adult years, and therefore, subsequent money blocks. But it’s essential to realise, these aren’t your beliefs and you have the power to rewrite them. It’s never too late!
Some people struggle with confidence issues; ‘I’m not good enough’ for example. Ever felt like that after a tough client call? Maybe you were told you ‘weren’t trying hard enough’ when you were younger and these feelings of inadequacy come back? Well, these ‘normal’ actions can have a long-lasting, negative impact on your mind. But we can overcome them, and I will tell you how.
Let’s look at some different kinds of mindset, and how you can programme your mind to be positive and to raise you up.
Money mindset
Money mindset is an overriding attitude that you have about finances. It drives how you make key financial decisions every day and it can have a big impact on your ability to achieve your goals. This can be particularly relevant in a business context.
A fixed or negative money mindset will really limit your earning potential, saving potential and spending potential! In business, people with a fixed money mindset will genuinely believe they can’t charge or earn what they both desire and are worth and often don’t have the confidence to ask for that pay rise or increase their prices. Does that ring any bells with you? This mindset can actually limit growth and prevent people getting the success that they deserve.
Outside of business, a fixed money mindset can mean you’re
always pinching the pennies, and not investing in things which could save you
other valuable resources like time, which can also have a detrimental effect –
if you’re busy, how about having a cleaner to help at home?
Handy tip: there are specific money mindset coaches out there to help you if
this is something you struggle with.
I use money mindset affirmations, such as, ‘I am financially abundant’ as part of my daily mindset routine and encourage you to try it, because if you say something enough times, your mind believes it. Trust me, this stuff really works.
Self-belief mindset
Everyone has the capacity to improve their self-belief and science tells us that people with a strong sense of self-belief are not only admired, but they inspire confidence in others.
However, low self-belief is the biggest reason for not doing something. You may find yourself thinking ‘What if I fail?’ These ‘what ifs’ are the biggest killer to any idea or dream. Your self-belief is strongly linked to your unconscious mind, so it’s imperative to work on this through mindset work.
Just before you fall asleep is when your mind is falling into that unconscious state. It’s the time when things can truly sink in, so if you’re thinking ‘I’m not good enough’, then your mind will believe you. In the last hour of the day, your mind is like a sponge and it is absorbing information to the extent it was when you were less than seven years old. So, ensure the last hour of your day is filled with positivity and self-love and reap the rewards.
Try picturing how it would feel if you had fulfilled the dream or goal you wanted to. What would you say or do? Get inventive with your imagination and begin to put yourself in those shoes of the future you, your self-belief will soar.
This self-belief mindset is something which is vital to organisational structure. If you don’t believe in yourself and your abilities, how can your colleagues? If you are leading a team, they need to have faith in your leadership to have confidence in their own success. If you are working underneath a manager, they need to have confidence in your capabilities. Practicing a positive self-belief mindset is something that should be done at all levels of an organisation.
Growth mindset
People who believe their talents can be developed, whether it be through hard work, good strategies or input from others, have a growth mindset. The best things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone. The scariest things I’ve done in my business and life have resulted in the biggest gains. Having that faith in myself comes down to having developed a growth mindset.
If you don’t have a growth mindset, you’ll rarely be able to improve yourself, get that promotion or grow a business, as you’ll find yourself plateauing. It was in April 2017 that I needed a growth mindset more than ever. My business had plateaued and I had to find a way to be able to work with more clients.
My own coach (yes even coaches need coaches) advised me to grow my team; this terrified me. I am a self-confessed, control freak! However, because I had a growth mindset, I knew I would and could grow my team. I had total faith in myself and my business and took on a Journalist and an Assistant. I’ve never looked back.
What can you do to build a growth mindset? Is it that you need to invest in an assistant to delegate tasks to, that you don’t have the time for? Maybe you’re starting or growing a business and a business coach is what you need to help you to stand out in your sector?
Again, this is something which is key in many organisations. If a business is to thrive, it needs to have all members of the team on board with that goal. We’ve all come across that person who resists change, and experienced the negative consequences of that resistance. Therefore the company culture should be one of a growth mindset. Professional development should be offered; group development and learning should be part of daily interactions, and communication should be open and easy. By building a culture of knowledge-sharing and achievable aspiration, you will have a business ready to take the steps needed to grow.
Why is mindset important?
Mindset really is everything. It’s the biggest, most powerful asset you can have and by far the best thing you can invest in, for individuals and for teams.
Mindset work will rarely be ‘finished’ – I’m working on mine every single day. I find it helps me in all areas of my life; business, relationship, and mostly, with myself.
Just remember, as soon as you uncover some blocks, others will arise; you will be an ongoing project throughout your life. As soon as you believe in this work and have total belief in yourself, you will be able to inspire others to do the same, and reap the rewards of incredible business and team success.
Tara Best is Founder and Director of Tara Punter PR. For more mindset and marketing tips for entrepreneurs, follow Tara at:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tarapuntercoaching
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tarapunterpr
Website: www.tarapunterpr.co.uk
