Photo by Matthias Blonski

How do you develop a growth mindset?

If you’re a business owner, you start thinking like a CEO. That means you commit to being more curious and intentionally expanding your perspective. Because you understand that what you think shapes the way you see the world. You know that how you see the world determines how you show up in your business. And, even what you believe is possible. Not just for yourself, but for your company. 

• Like when your long awaited new product launch runs into supply chain delays. 
• Or when business booms with unexpected demand.
• Or you’re overwhelmed with confused clients because of a glitch in your new project management software.

The question is, what opportunities do you seize in these obstacles?

That’s why your mindset matters.

It’s All In Your Head

So, how do you put mind over matter?

First, you have to understand that your mind is like the operating system that runs your smartphone. You aren’t aware of all the tasks and actions running in the background so you can swap DMs, selfies, and spreadsheets. You just go about your day, doing business, and living your life. 

As you do, your phone dings, rings, and buzzes to get your attention–or not–based on what you’ve told it is important to you. What you see and engage with are the carefully curated results that aren’t screened out by your preset filters. 

Your mindset works the same way. Except, your RAS, or reticular activating system, is the OS your brain uses to shape the way you see the world. 

Instead of trying to process and interpret every bit of incoming information your brain receives, your RAS scans for evidence that supports what you already believe in. This is why it’s so hard to change your project manager’s mind, never mind your own.

Mindset Over (Brain) Matter

The good news is that your mind can be changed, literally. The human brain is malleable. That means it’s known for its ability to adapt to new information and create new connections. This malleability is what allows you to learn and adapt to changes in the world around you. 

You just have to rewrite those mental scripts that are keeping you “safe,” and stuck in your comfort zone, so you can overcome these internal barriers in your business.

Here’s how:

I use this scientifically proven four-step practice to help my Catapult clients start shifting their internal narratives. It’s one of my favorite mindset exercises because it’s rooted in neuroscience, so it’s effective, but also it’s accessible. 

And, it’s a great way to get clear on what you want and where you’re getting in your own way.

Step 1: Identify a belief holding you back in your business.

If you’re struggling to identify a clear line of thought, spend some time sitting with where you feel stuck or at capacity in your work. You may be aware of some internal beliefs you know aren’t grounded in truth–that’s a great place to start.

Maybe it looks like:

⇨ “Success is only achieved through constant hustle and sacrifice.”

⇨ “Asking for help is a sign that you’re incapable or incompetent.”

⇨ “If you want it done right, you have to do it yourself.”

⇨ “If you take time off, you aren’t committed.”

This step is about building self-awareness and learning to recognize the limiting beliefs that shape your mindset. Pay attention to the thoughts and feelings that come up for you; they’re road signs pointing you in the right direction.

Step 2: Pick a new narrative to overwrite your old limiting belief.

Craft your new narrative from your goals, ideals, and aspirations. Here are some examples to get you started:

• “I can have a thriving, successful company AND the time to enjoy my life beyond my business.”
• “Asking for help means getting support so I can do more of what I want to do.”

• “Hiring experts saves me time and strengthens my company’s reputation for excellence.”

• “I prioritize rest and relaxation so I can stay engaged and agile.”

This isn’t a practice in putting on rose-colored glasses. It’s an intentional exercise in shaping your mindset. You don’t need to write a monologue, but you might find it helpful to draft a few options, or a longer train of thought, and then define your perspective-shifting belief. 

Go with what feels good to you and see what you learn in the process.

Step 3: Collect data to back up your new narrative. 

Seek evidence for your new narrative in everyday interactions and experiences, as well as in your work itself.

If you’re working on shifting the belief that you can’t have a successful business and time to enjoy your life: Make a note of when you do have time to enjoy your life outside of your company. 

From here on out, every phone call with an old friend, night out with your lover, dinner with your family, day at the beach, or afternoon curled up with a good book–every single moment you’re living your life and having a good time–is evidence that your new narrative is true.

Write them down! Every piece of evidence you gather to support your new narrative is another step towards shifting your internal scripts. This is one powerful but practical way to develop your growing growth mindset.

Step 4: Name and claim your new, empowering narrative. 

Practice saying it out loud. It might feel cheesy at first, but saying it out loud helps trigger parts of your brain that reinforce learning and memorization. As you collect more evidence to support your new belief, and practice naming it aloud, you’ll notice that you catch yourself sooner when you start falling back into your old stories and patterns.

You might feel disappointed when this happens, but remember, noticing when that thought comes back up for you is part of the process. 

Here’s what to do instead to reinforce your new narrative:

1. Celebrate your growing awareness. 
2. Revisit the evidence you’ve collected to support your new belief. 
3. Come back to that belief and claim it out loud.

You make Up Your Mind

Your mindset matters because it sets a ceiling on the possibilities you see and the opportunities you seize. 

We all get stuck in our heads sometimes. If you’re willing to do the uncomfortable work of facing where you’re getting in your own way, you can flip the script, and write a new narrative.

Isn’t that why you started your business in the first place?

So you could forge your own path?

So, what sets you apart as a leader? It’s time to own your expertise and make your mark.