In our opinion, there's nothing more critical for an entrepreneur to possess, than a growth mindset. A growth mindset encompasses many things, such as being able to pivot, listening to feedback, being tenacious and creative and having a hunger to learn. In other words, continually growing.
" There is a strong correlation between the growth of a business and the growth of its founder. And without a growth mindset, neither are likely to flourish" - Cheryl Bellette.
Luckily for you, having a growth mindset is something you can learn and strengthen like any other skill. An entrepreneur isn't born, they are forged through courage and effort. You'll need to understand that starting a business is a steep learning curve and you must be open to and even hungry to learn. This is a growth mindset and it's an invaluable asset in the start up world.
Here are OUR 4 tips for developing a growth mindset.
1. Embrace Failure
It's foolish to think that starting a business will be all smooth sailing. When starting something new there are too many unknowns and success is never achieved without some trial and error. Successful entrepreneurs understand that failure is an opportunity to grow; to seek answers, to develop better practices and to create something new. So you must learn to welcome it, embrace it and turn it to your advantage.
2. Learn and Practice
Learning is a process and it takes time to become an expert in any field. No one is perfect at the get go. While we may wish for instant perfection, it isn't realistic. We must foster a culture of learning and practice, make time to hone our skills and incorporate both into our business strategies. If you do, there is no limit to what you can achieve.
3. Keep it positive
We can't control much in the unpredictable world of business, but at least we can control how we think. Keeping a positive attitude "makes our world larger". A positive person is more open to new ideas, new connections and trying new things. And in turn this opens us to more opportunities, greater creativity and improved resilience. The benefits are limitless. You can cultivate a positive attitude by:
Shifting your vocabulary to a positive one. Words are powerful!
Being kind to yourself and others
Focusing on growth and improvement rather than perfection
Understanding that failure is an opportunity to grow
Celebrating small successes
Choosing to surround yourself with positive influences
4. Network
"No man is an island" and that's why it is so important to network. Networking with like-minded people means you'll have a sounding board to bounce ideas off, more solutions to your problems, more opportunities and a wealth of experience to guide you.
Your network may consist of your entrepreneurial peers, successful business owners or business mentors, coaches and advisors. For a greater chance of success, we strongly suggest fostering these valuable connections and even incorporating networking into your business strategies. We suggest attending networking events, joining facebook groups, signing up to your local chamber of commerce or investing in a mentor or coach.
"Life is too short to learn from your own mistakes, learn from others" - unknown
Here at Birdifi Bridge we specialise in helping founder's on their journey, at every phase. We offer one on one mentoring and advice sessions, mentor panels, networking events and so much more. We also offer unemployed and part time employed individuals, self employment services that are funded by Workforce Australia. Click here to read more. So let's take flight!
“Find a great mentor, someone who has already been through the many challenges of being an entrepreneur..” -Jodi Levine
Learning Link:
Dr Carol Dweck - Growth Mindset Expert. Click here
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” ( Dweck, 2015)