Becoming successful in your chosen field takes more than just talent. It takes determination, flexibility, endurance and, of course, a success mindset.
Our thinking patterns dictate our habits, moods and behaviour. This means that you alone are responsible for your success or failure – giving you the ultimate power over your career choices.
So what is a success mindset, and why is it important to your professional growth? How can you create a success mindset that will accelerate your career? Read on to discover our top 5 tips for developing a success mindset.
What is a success mindset?
In simple terms, your mindset is a set of beliefs you have that shape how you view the world and yourself. Your mindset influences how you think, feel and behave in different situations.
According to Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, your beliefs are essential to what you want in your career and how or if you achieve it. She also claims that there are two basic mindsets:
- Fixed – when you believe your abilities are ‘fixed’ and therefore cannot be changed.
- Growth – when you have faith that your talents and traits can develop over time through hard work and patience.
Those with a growth mindset understand that they can achieve their professional goals with persistence, adaptability and a strong willingness to evolve. A success mindset involves all these traits, including the right attitude and temperament, realistic thinking, and the ability to change and improve.
Why is it important to have a success mindset?
It increases your self-esteem and confidence
Not only will a success mindset set you up for a long, prosperous career, but it also has many other benefits. Having the right mindset will improve your self-esteem, making you feel more confident in your decisions. This effectively enhances your performance and achievements.
It enhances your drive and motivation
Finding the motivation to accomplish even the smallest tasks can be difficult without a success mindset. However, the right mindset will push you to overcome all obstacles that hinder you from achieving your professional dreams.
It makes your goals more achievable
Reaching your goals requires more than just desire – you’ll need high self-esteem, drive, motivation and the ability to overcome challenging difficulties. A success mindset gives you all the necessary attributes to achieve your objective.
Read ‘The Power of Mental Strength and How to Build It’ here.
5 ways to create a success mindset
Get out of your comfort zone
It’s easy to shy away from challenging new situations – especially if you believe the outcome won’t be positive. But by staying in your comfort zone, you’re denying yourself the chance to learn and grow. After all, the best lessons come from doing.
Start by creating a list of challenges that you find exciting. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to explore a foreign city by yourself or put yourself forward for a promotion at work. Even undertaking more complex projects in the office can offer more opportunities for growth and learning.
Find a successful mentor
The right mentor can guide you to self-improvement and professional success. However, finding a mentor isn’t as easy as approaching someone you admire and asking.
According to Sheryl Sandberg from the Harvard Business Review, working professionals must put themselves in situations where they can build genuine relationships with senior business leaders – such as networking events, corporate functions or conventions. Only after a relationship has formed is it appropriate to ask for mentorship.
Re-think your position on failure
Nobody wants to fail, and it’s understandable that you want to avoid failure at all costs. But by reconsidering how you view failure, you can create a successful mindset and overcome your obstacles.
So how should you view failure? As a learning opportunity or a valuable experience. With this in mind, you’ll find it easier to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. It will also make you less prone to anxiety, which can hold you back from creating a success mindset.
If you still struggle with your fear of failure, psychologist Guy Winch recommends focusing on the variables in your control. “Feeling in control is a literal antidote to feelings of helplessness and demoralisation that will motivate you to try again, minimise your chances of another failure, and increase your likelihood of success.”
Frequently remind yourself of your proudest accomplishments
It’s always important to focus on the future, especially when it comes to your career and professional goals. However, taking the time to look back and appreciate your greatest achievements can lift your spirits when you’re feeling down and help you create a strong success mindset.
Keep a folder, a notebook or a photo folder on your phone of all your proudest accomplishments, and flick through it during times of self-doubt. This is effective for building long-term confidence, and you may even be inspired for any future projects.
Introduce a morning routine
As simple as it sounds, a solid morning routine can position you to have a successful day – and mindset.
Lifestyle gurus such as Tim Ferriss believe that morning routines can shape how we perform in the workplace. For example, waking up earlier can give you time to focus on your welling – like going to the gym or meditating. This can help clear your mind and give you a success mindset for the rest of the day.
Ready to take that success mindset and use it to take the next step in your career? AIB offers programs to help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to thrive as a leader. Our Fast-Track MBA offers genuine flexibility, industry insights, practical skills and the support you need to achieve your goals in our fast-changing world. It’s created for people just like you. Learn more about it.
