Growth mindset…such a simple phrase, but when put into action, one that can make all the difference in the world for your business! In order to truly be successful, having an “I can do it” mindset is critical.
As a solopreneur, part of cultivating a growth mindset is to take a careful look at the thoughts you have about yourself.
What are you telling yourself about what you can or can’t do?
What beliefs do you have about yourself that could be keeping you from reaching your full potential?
To enjoy success – whatever that looks like for you – you need to have the right attitude about yourself, your business, and about success itself.
To enjoy success - whatever that looks like for you - you need to have the right attitude about yourself, your business, and about success itself.Click To TweetComing from a reactionary place or a place of lack won't move you closer to your goals!
7 Limiting-Beliefs Hurting Your Growth Mindset
Following are 7 limiting-beliefs that could be keeping you from developing a growth mindset for business success.
1. “Everything I do in my business must be perfect.”
I get it, you want to do your very best. But “best” doesn't mean perfect. As a matter of fact, there are serious negative consequences of perfectionism in business.
Perfectionism leads to
- setting unrealistic expectations
- inflexibility
- wasted time
- increased stress levels
- limited productivity
And these are only a few things that can occur when you try to be perfect all of the time. Perfection isn't realistic. As a matter of fact, it's unnecessary.
Instead of trying to be perfect, accept that you're human, which means that there will be mistakes sometimes. As long as you've put your best effort in and you lead with providing value to others, then that's good enough! You'll be more likely to achieve success when you overcome perfectionism.
2. “The only way to get ahead is to work harder”.
This is the attitude that has led way too many solopreneurs to burn out!
Most of the small business owners I know are already working too hard.
Rather than working harder, the trick is to find ways to work smarter. This will be different for every business owner, but some strategies to consider are:
- Outsourcing some of your work.
- Stopping all the “busy work” and focusing on what will impact the bottom line.
- Finding tools to help you automate certain parts of your business.
3. “I’m not important.”
While you may not think this explicitly, it could be the deep-seated belief that keeps you from developing a business growth mindset for success.
Too many solopreneurs, especially service-based ones, believe they should somehow come last: that everybody and everything else needs to be taken care of first.
This belief leads many solopreneurs to neglect themselves when it comes to even basic self-care, like eating, sleeping, and showering.
You are important!
The adage is 100% true: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritize yourself and you’ll start to find you not only feel better but that you’re actually more productive in your business!
The adage is 100% true: you can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritize yourself and you’ll start to find you not only feel better but that you’re actually more productive in your business!Click To Tweet
4. “I'm not good at sales.”
While I understand this sentiment, constantly repeating this to yourself will inevitably make it true.
You’ve likely heard the saying, “Whether you believe you can or can’t, you are right”?
Being an effective salesperson isn’t a fixed trait – it’s something you can learn. The more you practice it, and tweak it to fit your personality and values, the better you’ll get at it.
Being an effective salesperson isn’t a fixed trait – it’s something you can learn. The more you practice it, and tweak it to fit your personality and values, the better you’ll get at it.Click To Tweet
5. “No one around here lets me work!”
Oh boy! Do I know how challenging it can be to work from home!
But if you’re consistently blaming your family for your lack of progress or momentum, it’s time to dig deeper!
Don’t expect that you’ll be able to manage work and your kids without some careful, proactive planning.
This might mean setting up activities or care for the kids a couple of times a week, setting work hours after bedtime, or maybe even setting clearer boundaries around work hours when everyone’s at home.
6. “I don't have the right skills.”
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: not many of us have all the skills required to run a business!
Don’t let this self-limiting belief stop you from developing a growth mindset that will bring business success.
If you truly find you’re lacking a skill, the fix is simple:
- Learn the skills you need through practice or training, or
- Hire or outsource to someone else who does have those skills.
You don’t have to do it all on your own!
7. “I don't like promoting myself”.
While this may be true for you right now, it doesn’t have to stay that way.
Try this: Think about how your product or service helps people. What problems are you solving? What results are people getting?
Now promote THAT.
And remember that when you promote yourself, you’re not doing it because you think you’re so great, but because you know you can help more people this way! It's really not about you, but those you serve.
Having a Growth Mindset Leads to Success
If you’re constantly trying to avoid failure – rather than gain success – you’ll find you’re making things harder than they need to be.
But by challenging the limiting-beliefs above, you’ll be well on your way to developing the growth mindset that’s necessary for you to achieve success in your business and your life!
Looking for more mindset advice? Check out these business mindset tips.
Which of the self-limiting beliefs above are you going to kick to the curb? Share below!
UPDATED on October 25, 2021
1 thought on “How to Have a Growth Mindset for Success in Your Business and Your Life”
Very useful tips and reminders in here!