“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain
Contents:
Entrepreneurial Thinking
The entrepreneurial thinking that leads to success begins with having the right mindset.
Having the right mindset allows entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs to think differently from others around them. At times it makes them unique because they’re passionate and dedicated to their dream and goals.
More importantly, entrepreneurs with the right mindset are willing to think outside the box. In fact, they generally do not see a box. They’re just focused on big thinking.
What is the “right mindset”?
Stanford University Professor, Carol Dweck taught about the Fixed Mindset and the Growth Mindset. Let’s take a 30,000-foot view of the Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset, and how they can influence your thinking.
A Fixed Mindset Does Not Lead to Success
Many of us have heard expressions such as the following:
- I’ve always been this way.
- Success doesn’t come easy for me.
- A leopard can’t change its spots.
- Good things just don’t happen to me.
Those statements are all examples of beliefs by individuals who have a fixed mindset. They believe things have to remain the way they always were. There is no room for change or growth.
A fixed mindset can lead you to adjust your expectations for your life based on what you believe is possible for you. You might think that your abilities, skills, and habits are permanent and cannot be changed. As a result, someone who thinks this way sees challenges instead of opportunities.
The good news is that your current mindset is not a blueprint for life. By taking a close look at your beliefs and asking important questions, you can change your mindset and set yourself up for success.
The Growth Mindset Leads to Success
The second mindset you can choose to embrace is called a growth mindset. With a growth mindset, you recognize that though you may lack certain skills and abilities, these can be developed.
The important thing to understand about a growth mindset is that it fosters resilience or an ability to try again even after disappointing setbacks and crushing failure. It allows you to think bigger and see the bigger picture that leads to success rather than focusing on the challenges.
The entrepreneurial thinking that leads to success starts with the right mindset. The mindset that allows you to see opportunities and possibilities. It also allows you to view challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks to success.
What is one thinking you’ve had to adjust in order to grow your business? Please share in the comments.
12 replies to "The Entrepreneurial Thinking that Leads to Success"
I agree completely, Yvonne!
With the right mindset, you can conquer anything. In life, there are many obstacles that we all face and it will not be easy to overcome them at times. But if your mind is in a state of positivity then nothing should get in your way!
Easier said than done in some cases…
I agree 100%, Paul, that it’s often easier said than done. And staying positive can be very challenging. What I find helpful
is my belief that “this too shall pass” meaning that when we can visualize a positive outcome, it helps to neutralize all the
obstacles we’re currently experiencing, or at least help us to get through the present. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
I think that I am stuck in the fixed mindset of “success doesn’t come easily to me.” I recently applied for a job with a local newspaper. I have been writing/doing photography freelance for them for quite a while. Not only did I not get the job, I didn’t even get an interview. This does not feel like success, and I’m not sure how to fix this attitude. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts because you seem to be very optimistic and success oriented. Maybe that will rub off on me!
Alice, I’m so sorry you had that experience. Unfortunately, despite the fact that our current time is being referred to as
as “an Employee Market,” I am reading about this type of behavior a lot on LinkedIn. Applicants are not being invited for
interviews, or they go through an interview and never hear back from the company. This is more a reflection on the company,
especially if they did not even acknowledge your application since you had been doing freelancing for them. It’s not easy,
but is there anything you can learn from this experience? It may have nothing to do with your resume, but could you have someone
review your resume to see if you can highlight your skills effectively for the next job? I hope you’ll get benefit from my posts
and I’m here to support you in any way I can.
I liked what you said about mindset being about beliefs and values that are conscious or unconscious. And like you said in the video, if we get to know ourselves better, we will be able to choose our thoughts and our mindset consciously. And I agree that having a growth mindset is the key to success!
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Jeanine. We always have a choice and when we choose positive thoughts, they help us
to deal with the challenges we encounter.
What great advice. Hubby and I semi-retired from our 53 year old interior decorating business in 2018 and the part that made us successful was thinking outside the box. I’m always doing that for everything!
Martha, I believe thinking outside the box is something many people do very well and has led to their success. It’s a skill we all have to develop in order to achieve the greatness that’s possible for us. Thanks for stopping by.
I completely agree that learning in action and adopting a growth mindset is the quickest and surest way to achieve your goals. Although its not a straight line, maintaining a positive attitude and being resilient will eventually lead to success.
Grateful for your comment, Andrea. As business owners, our mindset if the thing that’s going to propel or hinder our growth.
What a wonderful post. I love the whole growth mindset idea.
Thank you, Brenda. As entrepreneurs we have to think bigger and show up bigger so it’s so important that we have the right mindset. I appreciate you.