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Why You Need a Success Mindset
By Jacklyn | February 27, 2009
Why you need a success mindset? Especially so during this time of the economy when we are so surrounded by negativity. Some people think that success is a natural result of proper planning, preparation and focused action, and that viewpoint certainly holds a grain of truth – but we need more than that to reach success. We need ingredients like proper mindset, positive attitude, courge, emotional management, consistency and perseverence to make it to our goals and able to sustain them long term! Have you ever wondered how two people can attempt the same objective in the same way and only one of them succeed? Is it sheer luck? Timing? Tenacity? More often than not, it’s a person’s mind-set that determines whether they succeed or fail.
What is a mind-set, anyway? Typically a mind-set refers to your predominant state of mind day to day. It’s what you think about, focus on, and expect from your daily experiences. If you think negatively, expect the worst, feel pessimistic about your options and that’s exactly what you’ll seem to draw into your life. Likewise, if you think positively, expect the best and focus on a successful outcome and you get it most of the time.
Makes sense, right? But how exactly does this work? Why is a success mind-set so important? There are three big reasons:
1) A success mind-set boosts your confidence and self-belief.
A lack of belief in yourself usually comes along with a sense of powerlessness and futility, which is the exact opposite of a success mind-set. Lack of confidence means you see no point in trying to be successful because it won’t happen anyway. Obviously, this type of mind-set is a recipe for failure in any endeavor.
Having a true success mind-set, on the other hand, means you believe in yourself and your capabilities. You believe you can succeed at nearly anything you do, and you’re willing to give it your best shot. Even better, the more you do it, the more confidence and self-belief you build – until you’re virtually unstoppable!
2) A success mind-set strengthens your determination.
Without a success mind-set, one failure is enough to convince you that pursuing your goals is a waste of time. Tenacity and determination don’t exist in your world. If you don’t become a raging success the first time you try, you surmise that it simply wasn’t meant to be. Unfortunately, only few things worth having are obtained easily!
A success mind-set, however, strengthens your awareness that a failure is not the end of the story – it is just a feedback, just one more way that didn’t work out the way you planned. In fact, a true success mind-set makes it obvious that the only true failure occurs only when you give up.
3) A success mind-set encourages fruitful actions.
Have you ever found yourself wandering in circles because you didn’t know the best way to approach a specific goal? Perhaps you had an idea of the best course of action but you felt intimidated by some of the action steps required. As a result, you may have kept sabotaging your efforts as you searched in vain for an easier or less frightening way to your goal.
With a true success mind-set, you’ll always know the most effective action steps that will lead directly to your goal. As already discussed, you’ll also have the inner confidence and determination to pursue them – which is a sure recipe for . . . that’s right… success!
If I had to sum up how to develop a success mind-set into as few words as possible, I’d say this:
– Go for your dreams.
– Think positively.
– Believe in yourself.
– Believe you can do better.
– Learn, grow and develop yourself.
– Be willing to take chances.
– Do whatever it takes.
– Expect the best in every situation.
– Be prepared to receive feedbacks.
– When you don’t get your desired outcome, reveal your strategy and move on.
Keep doing that and you can’t help but become successful, from the inside out.
Topics: Leadership, Motivation, Personal Development, Positive Attitude | 1 Comment »
April 20th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Hi Jacklyn,
My greatest test of successful mindset is how it deals criticism and rejection. In your post you said, be prepared for feedback. It’s sometimes ruthless criticism. I faced a terrible setback in a company (ad agency) where I worked, and couldn’t handle the criticism and backbiting and had to fizzle out. Had I stuck myself there for few months, who knows I might become good friends with them and could’ve done some great work with them?
What I lacked terribly is a supportive system – which helps to unclog our mixed feelings when faced some surprises – and try figure out a suitable direction.
I liked your article and your service for poor children; I hope to donate and participate in the campaign (infact, doing some copywriting for very very less) for them if you so choose.
thanks
Solomon