In a dog-eat-dog business world, only the chosen few can rise above the competition and earn their place in the eternal pantheon. There are many factors that play a part in the ascent up the career ladder, but could there be an X-factor? Well, if there was ever such a thing, it must be hidden somewhere in our mind, or perhaps it is our mind as a whole. We have heard a lot about habits that make or break success, but what about the mindset, which is a driving force behind it all? Here are some key lessons taken from those who have managed to come up roses.
Journey to the dark inner sanctuary
First of all, we must say that greatness is not about some inborn talent. Stellar accomplishments revolve around the way of thinking and the actions that follow it. This is what makes a difference between an army of mediocre and one exceptional individual. And we are not talking about just competent business people here. Let us learn from the best of the best, those who move the boundaries: pioneers, trendsetters, and game changers. You would be surprised how much they all have in common.
The first step on the journey was tough for many of them because it required them to admit their imperfectness. Like it or not, we are all prone to hurdles and pitfalls in the way of rational thinking. In our little inner world, under the smooth facade, we conceal a whirlwind of fears, insecurities, prejudices, fallacies, etc. Besides, there is only as much memory space in our brain, yet the amount of information available at our fingertips is near-endless. To make it worse, one of the obstacles comes in the form of cognitive biases.
Namely, our brain is wired in such a way to seek shortcuts and easy way out any chance it gets. This fundamental flaw can lead you astray at any moment. Yet, according to wildly successful people, when you do not like the cards you have been dealt, you should flip the table and start all over. Awaken the inner curiosity and open doors to new ideas, concepts, principles, and practices. Start the process of constant self-improvement. Take a good look inwards and then get ready to set your eyes on the future horizon.
The ball is in your court
Upon recognizing your weaknesses, the next step is to commit to working on them. And when I say work I mean to engage in a life-long, draining battle against primary characteristics of your personality. The goal, of course, is to overcome your demons and personal troubles that hold you down. Luck, bad circumstances, and other excuses have nothing to do with this. For better or worse, you are solely responsible for the path you take and the decisions you reach.
People who embrace a growth mindset believe that change is possible and the main tool they use is the old-fashioned hard work. Abilities and skills are not fixed assets and you have to be able to look forward instead of crying over spilled milk. One study found that students with this kind of worldview tend to perform better in school and also have more chances of long-term success. Interestingly enough, they also deal with less stress and have more self-esteem.
Rest assured that this kind of thinking can be learned via the power of autosuggestion. So, a growth mindset involves a sharp focus on solving problems, correcting mistakes, and spurring personal growth and development. It allows you to see things others choose to ignore or cannot comprehend. You are able to do so not because you are better, but thanks to conscious choices you have made. If that does not take you all the way, nothing ever will.
Limits of control
Alas, we cannot always make the right call. Mistakes always happen and they can sometimes result in business-sinking disasters. Come to terms with such a treacherous possibility and accept that you have to take calculated risks. It may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes the riskiest thing you can do is to play it safe. There are many people who will outpace you because they are ready to think big and bold. With a few more pieces of the puzzle in place, they will get ahead of the pack.
Finally, we come to the final point. Even those who are the cream of the crop cannot do everything on their own. They acknowledge that teamwork is the bedrock of any company’s performance. They recognize other people’s contributions and know how to ignite passion and motivation in them. Delusions of grandeur and self-importance are cast aside and they delegate tasks when needed. There is always someone better suited for a particular duty and that takes nothing from their authority and competence.
Ain’t no mountain high enough
A profoundly powerful mindset is what sets great business leaders apart from cohorts of those who can only dream on. It shapes your perception of the world and relation towards learning, improvement, and success. So, harness its immense power to change your life for the better. Have the perseverance to move past your predicaments and use them as stepping stones. It is high time to mute that negative tape in your head and play different tunes, ones that announce your self-fulfilling prophecy of business success.
