Mindset plays a huge role in the results and outcomes we achieve (or not) in our lives and our business. A negative mindset can literally strangle your business. Be honest, think about your friends and associates (or even yourself) – have you ever seen someone who is super negative, but also super successful?
There are a number of reasons that a negative mindset hampers business (and lives).
- Negativity (yours or those within your team) creates a toxic workplace environment. Often misunderstandings occur where there is poor communication or worse, negative communication. Low morale just pulls everyone down.
- Negativity seems to breed paranoia; you become negative, pick up on other negativity and then begin to doubt the intentions of others.
- This same negative voice is in your head, creating doubt in yourself, your abilities and your competency.
- When there is negativity, we begin to speak out in fear or behave in a fearful way; this stops us from performing at our best, it kills creativity and generally stunts growth. This same fear stops us from speaking up or contributing (what could be excellent) ideas – from fear of being criticised, judged or put down.
- In a negative environment, constructive criticism doesn’t work, and often this is necessary for us to grow, improve and become better.
- This (sometimes subtle) toxic environment will seep out and customers and clients will sense something less than great about their dealings with your business. It may be something that happens over a period of time, which somewhat makes it hard to identify as a problem.
- Technically, doing a fabulous job is one thing, but people do business with people; the personal factor plays a part in most business relationships. I recall a wellness coach that I was providing business coaching to; when she paid my bills she always put in a note, “Paid with gratitude”. I loved that positivity, it not only showed me that I was appreciated but I was most likely a positive person too; because I know she wouldn’t have stayed a client so long if I was not.
- How we make our clients, customers, staff and even suppliers feel will impact the amount of time that they stay with us; when it’s genuinely a ‘pleasure doing business’ with you.
- Negative thinking and fear also mean that a business owner will likely shy away from taking risks. Now, I’m never a fan of unwarranted risk, but calculated risk is something which can really take us to the next level. Instead, the negative person will adopt the philosophy of “things are just fine as they are”. The challenge around this is that often, when we stand still, the world passes us by, so we essentially slip backwards.
- From a practical perspective, a negative person will often struggle completing their work as they cannot focus or stay motivated to get things done. People who often adopt the ‘why bother’ attitude are somewhat defeatist.
Tips on How You Can Improve Mindset
Enough about negative mindset; now let’s focus on how a business owner, manager, team leader or co-worker can improve the workplace and be more positive themselves and encourage positivity in the workplace. Here are 18 practical ideas and habits that you can start forming today:
- Don’t wait for negativity to be seen, sensed or present; be positive from day one.
- Lead by example; if you are a positive leader and approach everything in a positive way, then others will observe your mannerisms and do the same.
- Start each day in a positive way; whether that’s a healthy breakfast, meditation, brisk walk, gym session or family time – begin each day in a positive way in your own personal life.
- Bring positivity to the door every morning. Walking in the door with a bright ‘good morning’ and big smile sends such a different message from the business owner, laden with a tonne of work, head down and mumbling about having a busy day, so no interruptions. Grumpy doesn’t send the right message.
- If you see someone is struggling, talk to them, support and mentor them and help them to see they are not alone and you’re willing to help.
- When someone says “it can’t be done” or “that’s too hard” … brainstorm whether it actually can be done, or what the solution is. Together, you may find there is a great answer to the problem and that the challenge can be overcome.
- If you’ve a negative habit, then work to reverse that negative habit. Eg, if I hear a client repeatedly saying something negative about their ability to do something, I will ask them to not say that anymore; but instead say “I’m getting better every day at xxxx”. They don’t have to tell themselves they are perfect, but should tell themselves they are improving every day.
- When a client gives a team member a hard time, don’t assume it’s the team member’s fault. Talk to them and listen to their side of the situation. Over the years, I’ve reprimanded and even sacked clients who treated my team poorly. In my first job, we were told “the customer is always right, even when they are wrong”. As an adult and experienced business owner, I know customers are not always right and it’s my job to look after my team and ensure things are running smoothly – whether that’s guiding the team member, or perhaps the client.
- Set big goals. Not goals you know can’t be achieved, but those which are a little outside our comfort zones. Breaking big goals down into more bite-sized mini goals can also be very effective.
- Use failures as learning experiences, and then move beyond them. When something goes wrong, I want to know why/how it happened. I clarify (whether it was with my staff, or now with business coaching clients) that it’s not about laying blame but working out what happened in order to set a process or procedure in place in which to minimise that happening again. Learn from the past, but live for the future.
- Surround yourself with like-minded and positive people. Birds of a feather do flock together. Even if you’re having a less than great day, your ‘flock’ will help lift your spirits and help you soar.
- Learning and education are also great ways to improve your mindset and skillset.
- In business, we often face adversity, obstacles and problems. However, if you get into the habit of doing your due diligence, investigating things properly, analysing a situation, even doing a pros and cons list, then you’re more likely taking a calculated risk – and more likely will succeed because you’ve both researched and planned the activity out well.
- As a confident and positive person, you will more likely ask the opinions of those around you, be comfortable asking your team for their viewpoints and thoughts and by listening and considering their feedback, will again likely make better decisions.
- When you, or your team (or anyone around you) makes a mistake, forgive yourself or that person. We are human, we do make mistakes and owning up to those errors shows you’re a bigger person. It also shows your team that if they make a mistake, rather than punishment occurring, you’re more likely going to work with them to resolve the situation.
- Remember, we all have started somewhere. Many new business owners experience imposter syndrome; do they deserve to succeed, or charge what they are charging to be business owners? A little self-doubt in the beginning is normal, and if you’re new to business and see others being super confident, then remember they may have been at it a long time.
- If you’re experienced, then remember your own journey and never make someone feel small, laugh at them, gossip, or declare it’s a stupid question to ask. As a trainer, I always opted for the expression that there is no such thing as a dumb question; if you don’t know, you should ask. Encourage others around you to learn and grow.
- Build a support system – and yes, a great business coach does make a difference. Having someone to run ideas past, get feedback, keep you on task and share their experience can be incredibly valuable.
As an experienced business, leadership and life coach, I’ve worked with clients for decades around mindset, motivation and other soft skills like time management. I’ve also helped with ‘hard skills’ such as improving marketing skills or financial acumen in order to ensure a business is doing well and the business owner is leading that business to success. If you’d like to have a complimentary sample coaching session with me, just click here. My passion is your potential!
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