How to use mindset to increase performance and drive results

MindFlame Consulting -  Stand R510

There’s a lot of talk about ‘mindset’ these days – but what is it and why is it important?

Essentially, our mindset comprises of our beliefs, attitudes and ‘mental filter’ through which we see, perceive and experience the world. 

In Carol Dweck’s best-selling book 'Mindset', she argues that there are two types of mindsets - a growth mindset and a fixed mindset and that at any point in time, when you're acting, behaving, or even thinking about something, you're usually operating from one of these two mindsets.

We may demonstrate a growth mindset in certain areas of our lives, where we feel confident and empowered - and are led by curiosity, love of learning and gaining new insights and ideas. Yet in other areas, we have a fixed mindset, which is driven by fear - of how we'll look, or what we'll lose.

Experiencing setbacks and challenges is inevitable in the course of business and those with a growth mindset tend to look for the learning and opportunities, using the experience to stretch themselves, improve and become more resilient.

In contrast, with a fixed mindset, these experiences can typically reinforce beliefs of not being good enough, or confirm that you can't succeed and lead to feeling stuck, or reluctant to try again.

Our mindset and underlying motivation are driven by an intention to learn and grow, or to control and protect.

Mindset often depends on the situation and is shaped by patterns formed at an early age. We may avoid risk-taking, or putting ourselves forward, in order to avoid potential humiliation, loss or failure. Yet this can really limit our potential and performance!

Even top performers can get stuck in a fixed mindset if their perceived worth depends on always maintaining that high performance – yet this can limit risk-taking and trying something new – which are necessary to expand, evolve and grow.

Our mindset informs and influences how we show up, how we behave and what actions we take - and we’ll tend to attract results and outcomes that match those perceptions.

So, understanding our beliefs, emotions and drivers - and exploring new ways of thinking and acting is essential to ensure optimum results.

Current neuroscience research demonstrates that emotions are ‘constructed’, as the mind and body references what we’re experiencing against its previous record and memory of similar experiences. So, we sometimes need to give our mind new instructions and update its reference points with more empowering and positive experiences – otherwise we’ll risk running old patterns, and achieving limited outcomes.

If you’re operating from underlying fearful beliefs, you may pass up good opportunities, procrastinate, or don’t promote yourself, as there’s inner resistance to trying anything new.

The latest leadership research demonstrates that leaders and managers operating from a growth mindset are more authentic, open-minded and work 'collaboratively' with their staff - creating deeper connections, more respect from both sides and a more engaged and productive working relationship.

Developing a growth mindset is essential for leading teams, or running a successful business – so how can you develop a commitment to learning, challenge yourself to grow and explore any underlying fearful or limiting beliefs and update these with more empowering perspectives?

Learning about your skills and strengths, developing self-awareness and exploring what stops or limits you is a good starting point. Embracing challenges as learning opportunities, becoming curious and asking insightful questions can help you move forwards in a more empowering way.

Visit us at Stand R510 or www.mindflameconsulting.com and find out how we can support you, or your team in this area.