Why you must embrace a new mindset for business success in 2022

In today’s changing and challenging landscape, the strategies and thinking patterns that got you here may not get you to where you want to go. To succeed, thrive and manage change, it is vital to develop new skills and challenge traditional thinking patterns. Most of all, a new mindset is required for business success. Furthermore, to be adept at navigating hurdles and transforming adversities into advantages, challenges into certainty. While many high achievers and athletes already embrace these strategies, and have a mindset for success, here is my list of eight important skills to shift your mind and create a new mindset for 2022.

1. Curiosity is a key skill to developing a new mindset in 2022

Developing the skill of curiosity is my number one tip. I believe curiosity is a foundational skill that sits at the foundation of many of the other eight skills. Moreover, asking better questions, pushing yourself to see things differently, expands your mind and helps find solutions. Furthermore, it is the catalyst for creative ideas and new innovations. Hence, when you become aware of what you are thinking it is easier to direct your mind towards positive outcomes. Einstein’s curiosity to explore and let his mind daydream was instrumental for many of his greatest discoveries.

2. Collaboration

Today, success in business, more than ever before, involves collaboration. The old way of fear-based leadership and competitiveness is now shifting to a more human touch. While all businesses compete at some level for their space in the market, today, the focus is very much on collaboration and empowerment. ‘The great resignation’ means it is important to listen and value your staff’s needs, wants and desires.

Engaging their perspectives and working together to creatively find solutions to help them fulfil what is important to them in the workplace. Moreover, in addition, this increases retention and attracts new staff. Ultimately, it means business owners and leaders must build trust, in themselves, how they are perceived by their staff and in their teams. Finally, collaboration between business leaders, owners, peers and colleagues can lead to new opportunities and new growth.

3. Flexibility

While I use the term flexibility, in many workplaces, the word agile is more common. Morgan Philips’ team of business psychologists define individual agility as, “the ability to work with insight, flexibility and confidence in response to challenging and changing circumstances.” Agility shapes our approach and determines our success in the business world. Furthermore, a flexible mindset is a key ingredient to a mindset for success. This trait is key for individuals to learn and grow, and develop a Growth Mindset, popularised by the research of Carol Dweck.

4. Innovation is key to creating a new mindset

Whether it be new ways to engage and motivate staff, or new software systems and technology, innovation is key for sustaining and building future success. Furthermore, innovation usually entails curiosity, creativity and collaboration. Requirements for achieving great results. According to a recent Forrester report, ‘Business leaders must adapt to this new reality, laying the groundwork for bold decisions. Creativity, resilience, and agility — fuelled by strong customer understanding and smart technology investments — will separate leaders and laggards, no matter the industry.”

5. Optimism is important in every area of life

Over the last two years, anxiety and worry have grown exponentially. One of the greatest causes of this has been the lack of human connection due to isolation, work from home, lock-downs and travel restrictions. Furthermore, economic struggles due to job losses and uncertainty over the future. Add to this the predominantly negative media reporting on world events which literally permeates people’s minds and souls. To illustrate this, on August 3 2021, Lifeline recorded 3,345 calls, the highest daily number in the organisation’s history.

Connection and human interaction is a core human need. Moreover, positive relationships are a pillar of Martin Seligman’s PERMA model of wellbeing and happiness. While lifting restrictions will help, learning how to shift perspectives and find positive meaning in life is essential. As a result, this is why, when I coach my clients, many of whom are feeling stuck and somewhat despondent, we focus on a future goal beyond their current circumstances. Furthermore, we must remember that we have the ability to choose our attitude and meaning in any experience. A vital skill in creating a superior new mindset for today.

Said brilliantly by Viktor Frankl in his book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning,’

“Everything can be taken from a person except for one thing. The last of the human freedoms. To choose ones attitudes in any set of circumstances. To choose one’s own way.”

6. Compassion

While I find it difficult to choose between compassion and consistency, I feel compassion wins. Moreover, when you remember to do this consistently, you develop both. Compassion entails being kind to yourself first and foremost and then to others. Too many people forget the first part. One of the most common problems I witness with my clients, who are mainly high achievers, is their fantastic ability to be hard on themselves! A trait I once had the equivalent of a gold medal in.

The end result is never good. It diminishes self-worth and esteem and holds you back from accomplishing more of what you want and fulfilling your potential. Finally, compassion is what makes us human and allows us to engage with others. Furthermore, it promotes meaningful connections, facilitates problem-solving, and improves health and wellbeing. All key components for wellbeing and happiness and must have’s in the new mindset for 2022.

7. Reflective thinking is a forgotten yet essential skill for the new mindset

Thinking deeply and reflecting entails looking carefully at what you are doing, what you’ve done, what you’ve experienced, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve learned it. Ironically, we are often too busy to allow ourselves time to think and reflect even though it helps us see things we might otherwise miss.

From a neuroscience perspective, revisiting existing thought pathways when we reflect, strengthens our neural circuitry. This helps embed these thoughts, skills and habits more deeply. Ultimately, allowing us time for curiosity, to learn and grow, improve and innovate. A key outcome is it helps us embrace a mindset of continual improvement.

Look no further than the outstanding achievements of Team Sky

For a fascinating case study of the power of continual improvements, check out the phenomenal success of Team Sky in this article. Under the insightful leadership of David Brailsford, the UK cycling team became a force to be reckoned with in the world of cycling.

Finally, when you focus on improving yourself and how you do things, you build your personal power. This leads to more control and certainty. Most of all, control and certainty lead us to the final and probably most important skill to develop a new mindset for success in 2022.

8. Resilience is vital to overcoming the general fear and anxiety levels all around

Without resilience, when the going gets tough, people crumble. They just don’t have enough grit, or inner strength to keep going. Moreover, a common understanding of resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks and adapt well to change. Furthermore, to persist in the face of adversity. While there is no one single recipe for building resilience, overcoming adversities and life’s experiences can help. However, here are the three keys that I work on with my clients, which help align the conscious and subconscious minds.

1. Managing your mental state
2. Mastering your emotional state
3. Taking action on the things that are important, whether you feel like it or not.

“Self-control is strength. Calmness is mastery. Don’t allow your emotions to overpower your intelligence.” Morgan Freeman

When you work on all three, you have the means to turn adversity into an advantage, rebound from tough times and to embrace change. As a Mindset and Performance Coach, helping my clients build inner strength, resilience, or grit, is my area of passion and expertise  and helps them to create extraordinary results.

Finally, when you put all of these together, you have the ways and means to ensure you safeguard your business success and sustain a productive and innovative workplace. Furthermore, ways to empower staff, build trust, creativity and improve their work environment. Ultimately, many of the keys to living a happier and meaningful life.

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