The Corporate Athlete's Guide to Overcoming Mindset Roadblocks
Please don't aspire to just be an average person. Otherwise, you wouldn't be reading this. So how exactly do you level-up to become great corporate athletes.
Hi Corporate athletes,
Corporate athletes, particularly those in leadership roles, may frequently encounter situations in which their team's performance falls short of expectations. A multitude of causes can contribute to this state, including difficulties among team members as well as a lack of proper supervision and guidance from leadership.
Even after you've invested time and effort honing your leadership style and effectively communicating your vision, your team may struggle to go forward. In such cases, the source of the problem may be internal to a member of your team, manifesting as a fear of facing obstacles. Addressing these internal roadblocks is crucial for realising your team's potential. The following are some significant roadblocks I encountered, many of which are deeply embedded in mindset.
Fears of failure
Fear of failure is frequently the result of a fixed mindset, in which people see failure as a reflection of their talents rather than an opportunity for improvement.
"I always want to try to do new things, but often I am stopped by my mind which is always afraid to try, afraid of failure, afraid of being incompetent, and other negative thoughts."
Have you contemplated something like that? In fact, you haven't even tried it yet, yet you're already thinking too far forward, as well as negatively.
This dread can become paralysing, prohibiting people from taking risks or trying out new techniques. Rather than perceiving failure as a setback, it is critical to reframe it as a crucial step on the path to success. As Conor McGregor pointed out, ‘‘I'm not going to get somewhere and say, 'OK, I'm done.' Success is never final; I'll just keep on going. The same way as failure never being fatal. Just keep going. I'm going to the stars and then past them’’.
Playing Too Small
A limited viewpoint can allow someone to think and behave in a narrow scope, akin to being in a box, where we only think about how we play and survive in that box; nevertheless, outside our box, there are other boxes, and we must be able to explore the world outside. We sometimes think too narrowly, focusing solely on ourselves in the present rather than our futures. People may underestimate their skills due to self-doubt or negative previous experiences. Encouraging a growth mindset allows team members to broaden their perspectives and aspirations.
Emotional Reactivity
Emotional reactions are commonly associated with a fixed mindset, leading people to believe they cannot regulate their emotions. Emotional responses to difficult situations can have a negative impact on productivity. A single negative interaction with a coworker or client should not define your day. Emotional resilience must be developed and exercised. Looking at things from a more optimistic perspective generally stimulates our brain and emotions, thus our mood remains unaffected.
Fear of change
Fear of change is our brain's natural reaction to new and unknown situations. It stems from a lack of knowledge about what to expect and concerns about our ability to deal with the consequences. It's a basic survival instinct that encourages us to keep to what we know.
However, when our fear becomes too powerful, it might prevent us from evolving and adapting to new situations. This severe fear of change is known as metathesiophobia, and it can significantly impede our personal progress and achievement.
Resistance to change might arise from a fixed mindset that perceives changes as threats rather than possibilities for growth.
Unhealthy habits
Many unhealthy habits come from a lack of confidence in one's ability to make long-term adjustments. Individuals with a fixed attitude may believe they are ''simply not the kind'' to be fit or productive.
Habits have an important part in personal growth. Idly scrolling through social media, eating unhealthy food, and rarely exercise, when you should be molding your body, mind, and spirit into an unstoppable force of nature. According to the article in Harvard Healthy Publishing, exercise benefits health in so many ways. It preserves muscle strength; keeps your heart strong; maintains a healthy body weight; and staves off chronic diseases such as diabetes. But exercise has brain benefits too. One finding is that engaging in a program of regular exercise of moderate intensity over six months or a year is associated with an increase in the volume of selected brain regions.
Exercise can also boost memory and thinking indirectly by improving mood and sleep, and by reducing stress and anxiety. Problems in these areas frequently cause or contribute to cognitive impairment
Leaders that cultivate a growth mindset can inspire their people to adopt healthier routines as a means of improvement.
Ingratitude
A scarcity attitude can prevent people from seeing the plethora of positive qualities in their lives. Practicing thankfulness necessitates a growth mindset in which one recognises and appreciates progress and assistance.
You have so many blessings, yet you don't take the time to show gratitude and appreciation.
The Mindset is the primary barrier among the key hurdles listed above. The more positive your thinking, the easier it is to face whatever is in front of you.
Additional Mindset - Related Factors
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
People with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are fixed. Those with a growth mindset, on the other hand, believe they can progress via hard effort and learning. This fundamental difference can influence how they approach difficulties and setbacks.
Self-Perception
Individuals' self-perceptions can be powerful or restricting. A fixed mindset can lead to negative self-talk and self-doubt, whereas a development mindset fosters positive self-image and motivates people to make progress.
Response to feedback
Team members who have a growth mindset see comments as constructive and vital for improvement. Those with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, may view criticism as a personal attack, resulting in defensive action rather than a desire for improvement.
Motivation and resilience
A growth mindset fosters internal motivation and resilience, enabling people to endure in the face of adversity and achieve achievement. Those with a fixed perspective may be more likely to give up when faced with a challenge.
Connor McGregor's statements, "We're not just here to take part—we're here to take over," were tremendously inspiring. This powerful message urges us to confront and overcome all of our fears, including failure, change, and success. Taking these obstacles front on is critical, as they frequently prevent us from realising our greatest potential. It is critical to recognise that everything is ultimately influenced by our mindset. With a positive and resilient attitude, we may turn our concerns into opportunities for growth and success. By believing in ourselves and our skills, we can actually take control of our lives and shape the future we want.
In today's unpredictable global economic situations, we must remain positive that combining these mentality factors, as well as self-development boundaries, can result in a comprehensive approach that significantly increases individual and team performance.
‘‘We ‘re not just here to take part - we’re here to take over’’!