How to Create Superior Mindset Skills for Thriving in a New World

With the recent global economic and disruptive changes, developing a superior mindset is vital for managing and thriving in uncertain times. Furthermore, for business owners and employees, the old way of operating, and the once ‘normal’ has changed forever. Additionally, change necessitates getting uncomfortable, which means we must have the courage to do things differently and harness more of our latent potential. Moreover, getting to know ourselves at a deeper level; what we think and feel, how this influences our behaviours, and how we deal with change.

This involves learning new ways of managing any unhelpful thoughts, self-talk, emotions and behaviours; new habits that will ultimately help us develop a superior mindset. Ultimately, when we develop our inner skills we build resilience, confidence and what I call GRIT. This helps us to better lead our businesses more powerfully into the future. Additionally, unlike governments, who have printed around 11 trillion dollars of extra money, business owners do not have the means to do this.

Necessity is the mother of invention

While disruption creates space for entrepreneurs who love creating, not everyone has limitless innovative skills or a business which can transform digitally overnight. While according to Plato, necessity may well be the mother of invention, history shows that most people prefer to stay in their comfort zone. However, staying in the comfort zone leads to stagnation, not growth. The exact reason why, today, we must embrace change and continue to challenge ourselves to grow.

Many years ago, when I was competing in ultra-distance triathlons, I was supremely fit. Training daily, sometimes twice a day, was the norm. Running 10 kilometres after a long ride and spending seven hours on my bike on a Sunday was part of my week. As was resting on a Monday and having a well-earned massage. However, one day, all of this changed. Like the pandemic which shook millions of people’s normal routines upside down, my body decided enough was enough. In an instant I had to stop my sport. Coping with this catastrophic news left a vast hole in my life, and I was left wondering what to do. With a mindset focused on competing, a regime that consisted of daily training, physical exercise and comradeship, I was left on the sidelines, feeling deflated, in pain, and frustrated.

Shifting expectations is part of upgrading to a superior mindset

Like any change thrown upon us, a shift in thinking and expectations is required. Slowly, I adapted to my new normal, although it was not easy. Exercise was now a simple walk, gentle swim or yoga. Even though my mind was still focusing on training rides and competitions, there was no way my body could perform at this level. After internal battles, uncomfortable struggles and some minor despondence, I realised I had a choice. I could simply choose to change my thinking. To reframe the meaning of the event and embrace superior mindset skills. Better thoughts, new activities and a long term focus where I could visualise myself back doing sport again. All of this made the journey easier.

The more I learned about myself, the greater I became more aware. I listened carefully and observed my behaviours with curiosity. With these deeper insights came new perspectives and possibilities. The end result of this and ultimately, the greatest gift, was that it led me to establish my business, Mindset for Success. I am grateful I focused on creating a superior mindset as it helped me move forward.

Einsteins famous quote supports embracing a superior mindset

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.”

In exactly the same way as I had to shift my thinking and change what I was doing, businesses have had to do the same. Since the pandemic enveloped us, digitisation has created an imperative for companies to reconfigure their operations and an opportunity to transform them.  A McKinsey reports says, “Greater productivity has been experienced and is expected.” (McKinsey, 2 Jan 2012.) Changing how and what we do is the way to obtain new results.

Here are seven steps to create a superior mindset to thrive in challenging times.

1. Know thyself

Become curious and discover more about yourself and who you are as a person. Moreover, what you think, how you feel, and what drives your behaviours. Do people look up to your guidance and depend on you? Are you an effective leader? As a business owner or entrepreneur it is imperative to build resilience and grit to stay strong in the midst of adversity and change. The clearer you are about what is important, prioritise diligently, the greater your personal power and confidence. Leaders must be rock solid and authentic.

2. Embrace possibility as part of a superior mindset

Focusing on solutions and viewing obstacles or problems as challenges on the way, rather than in the way, is key. We have a natural negativity bias in our brain and a somewhat addictive propensity to watch news. As most of the news is negative, you can see why there is a growth in mental health issues globally. Ensuring you focus on a cup that is full is, I believe, the new phrase to replace the well known one of a glass half full or empty. Eyes wide open and a focus towards solutions and possibilities is key.

3. Be curious and ask better questions

Curiosity is a key ingredient in developing a superior mindset. Asking thought-provoking questions that expand your thinking and steer the energy of your mind in a new direction is key. Instead of ruminating on what went wrong or why something happened, ask a question such as, “What else could this mean?” Or, dig deeper and ask, “What assumption do I have that causes me to think like this?” Clear the assumption or belief and you will open up new solutions and possibilities.

4. Have a clear long term vision

Create a long term vision for yourself. One that keeps you focused on the long term. Too often we reach out for instant gratification even though delaying reward is the key for long term success. Importantly, this is a skill that requires practice. We have an innate propensity to move away from pain and towards pleasure. Achieving long terms goals requires the opposite. When you keep your vision at the front of your mind, you guard yourself from being sucked into other people’s agendas. Furthermore, you build immunity from negative news and being drawn towards bright shiny objects.

5. Being authentic is a key ingredient of a superior mindset

While authenticity has become a highly popularised concept in recent times, the pandemic has created wide distrust of leaders and governments. Moreover, with a plethora of misinformation, conspiracy theories and fake news, people are struggling to know who to believe and trust. Indeed, the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer Report highlights this fact. This year’s study shows that business is not only the most trusted institution among the four studied, but it is also the only trusted institution with a 61 percent trust level globally. Furthermore, it is the only institution seen as both ethical and competent.

From an individual level, what this means is you can choose to step up, strive to be authentic in everything you do and say. This is the key for building trust. Moreover, if you are a business owner, you have a fantastic opportunity to build a greater community due to being trustworthy. If you say you are authentic, make sure you really are, and, you do what you say you will do.

• Do you do what you say you will?
• How do you behave when no one is watching?

The greatest way to check your authenticity is to clear the cloudy lens of old patterns that are playing out in your life. Those hidden in the depths of your subconscious mind. Write down what you value and what being authentic means and looks like to you. What behaviours will you require? And what would you value? Now is a great time to step up, take a stand and commit to being real and authentic. Be a leader that others can trust.

6. Live with compassion for self and others

Mindfulness has become something of a hip word in the corporate world, which is good news, because compassion is heart based. Developing a champion mindset or superior mindset requires us to go deeper into ourselves than our overthinking heads. Compassion for others and showing empathy occurs when you have a greater understanding of emotions. Both in the subtle feelings and the words used. As Lisa Feldman Barrett in her brilliant book ‘How Emotions are Made’ – The Secret Life of the Brain,’ says,

“Emotions are your constructions of the world. Instances of emotion are no more out of control than thoughts or perceptions or beliefs or memories.”

Developing emotional granularity, or more commonly named, emotional intelligence is the key for greater leadership and success.

7. Adopt an attitude of collaboration and abundance

Even the toughest of athletes in the loneliest of sports like long-distance running know they can’t achieve the level of success they want on their own. Embrace a mindset of collaboration and supporting others. To champion others and ask for help will achieve greater results for everyone. Moreover, adopting an abundant mindset is key, as a scarcity mindset is the old way of doing business. “What’s in it for me?” “Profits first.” People are sick of greed and corruption, and only by consciously embracing an abundant and collaborative mindset for success can this old paradigm be released.

So there you have it; seven mindset skills for building a superior mindset for managing yourself better, and thriving rather than surviving. All you have to do is check which of the above seven requires your focus first. Commit to cultivating a superior mindset; know yourself, learn, be curious and open-minded and embrace innovative ways of doing things. Next, shampion others, and most important, remember to be kind and compassionate to yourself. When you fully embrace these skills, I believe they are your greatest allies against fear, and from falling into a negative mindset. Moreover, they are the keys for self-mastery, certainty and embracing change in challenging times.