‘But what if I can't?’ Cultivate your Growth Mindset for Business Success

Starting and running a small business is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and nerve-wracking ventures you can undertake!

As a small business owner, you wear many hats and face countless challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is often your mindset. Those nagging thoughts of "But what if I can't?" can hold you back from achieving your full potential. However, cultivating a growth mindset can be the key to unlocking your success.

Leanne Hastings, one of our expert Regional Guides is a HR consultant with a difference - Leanne is passionate about streamlining HR strategies and focusing on the people behind the titles. She has generously shared some of her insights on this topic of growth mindset.

Overcoming Self-Doubt: From “I Can’t” to “I Can”

We’re here to let you know that many - if not all - business owners struggle with self-doubt. It’s a natural part of stepping into the unknown and taking risks. But you can’t stay there. So how do you start shifting from an “I can’t” mentality to a growth mindset?

Practical Steps to Shift Your Mindset

Acknowledge Your Fears: The first step to overcoming self-doubt is to acknowledge it. Recognise the fears and limiting beliefs you have. Writing them down can help you understand what’s holding you back. Check in with a business-buddy who can listen and alleviate your fears.

 Reframe Your Thoughts: Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” try saying, “I can’t do this yet.” Adding “yet” opens up the possibility for growth and learning.

 Set Small, Achievable Goals: You don’t have to achieve everything all at once! Break down your big goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Celebrate your progress along the way. Each small win will build your confidence.

 Seek Support and Mentorship: Surround yourself with a supportive network of fellow business owners, mentors, or coaches who can offer advice, encouragement, and perspective. 

Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity: We know you probably don’t want to hear it again, but believe us it’s true…understand that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success. It creates another chapter in your story - each setback teaches you something valuable that you can use to improve.

 Invest in Your Development: Attend workshops, read books, and listen to podcasts that focus on personal and professional growth. Continuous learning is key to developing a growth mindset.

Leanne Hastings Shares Her Personal Experience: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

“I have limiting beliefs about myself and what I am capable of almost every day, and never were they worse than when I was first thinking about starting my business! When I opened our doors, I felt like I needed to work with anyone and everyone who came my way. I feared they would all eventually realise I was a fraud and find a consultant who actually knew what she was talking about.

 But as I started working with clients and seeing the positive impact of my advice and strategies, my confidence grew. I embraced the idea that I didn’t have to be perfect; I just needed to be committed to learning and improving. I realised that every successful business owner faces self-doubt and that overcoming it is part of the journey.”

Mindful Leadership and Building Resilience

As a business owner, you’re not just managing a business; you’re leading it.

Mindful leadership and building resilience are crucial for long-term success.

 Mindful leadership means being fully present and engaged with your team and your business. It involves:

 - Active Listening: Pay attention to your client, customer, and team’s needs and concerns. This builds trust and fosters a positive work environment.

- Empathy and Compassion: Show understanding and support for your colleagues, clients, and customers. This strengthens relationships, builds trust, and boosts morale.

Building Resilience: Resilience is your ability to bounce back from setbacks. To build resilience:

- Stay Positive: Focus on solutions rather than problems. A positive outlook helps you navigate challenges more effectively.

- Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental health. Although you may find it hard to ‘switch-off’ you won’t be a balanced leader of your business if you don’t schedule in rest, exercise, and hobbies.

- Learn from Mistakes: View mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. Each experience, good or bad, contributes to your development.

Leanne Hastings on Reframing Failure:

"Failure in business is inevitable, especially when we’re starting out doing something that we’ve never done before. Leaders who are able to reframe failure as a positive experience are the ones who experience the greatest success. One way I ensure I continue to show up despite the fear of failure is to remind myself of the people I’m not adding value to if I let failure win."

Embracing Innovation

Innovation is at the heart of a growth mindset. 

Encourage Creativity: Allow yourself and your team to explore new ideas and approaches.

Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new methods and strategies. 

 Leanne Hastings on Growth Mindset and Innovation:

"A growth mindset helps us understand that anything is possible. While it might not seem realistic yet, there are actions we can take to achieve whatever our hearts and minds can dream of. However, as entrepreneurs, we can also be easily sidetracked by the next bright shiny thing and skip the part where we consider whether it is the right decision for our business."

Cultivating a growth mindset, just like running a business, is a journey. 

It requires continuous effort, reflection, and a willingness to embrace change. 

 By shifting your mindset from “I can’t” to “I can,” you open up a world of possibilities for your business.

A big thank you to Leanne from Leanna J Consulting for her dedication to helping small businesses thrive with jargon-free, people-focused HR advice! With over a decade of corporate HR experience, Leanne is passionate about streamlining HR strategies and focusing on the people behind the titles. When not consulting, she enjoys life on her family farm on the Yorke Peninsula.

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 Ready to take your business to the next level? The Regional Collective is here to  support, help invest in your growth, and embrace a growth mindset.

Join as a Member for our "Weekly Knowledge Boost" masterclass series, which are exclusive to Regional Collective members!

What to Expect: 

💥 Snappy Sessions: 15 minutes of focused content + 10-minute Q&A. 

🔥 Expert Guidance: Learn from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs. 

🌱 Interactive Q&A: Submit your questions in advance for personalised advice.

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