Our perspectives on life and business are influenced by our family, school, friends and work environment among other things. We might see the world as a series of challenges where others see opportunities, problems instead of solutions, and scarcity where others see abundance. If we see the world through the lens of challenges, problems and scarcity what does that image look like? A mountain stands in our path. If we see the mountain as a challenge it could mean we feel we need to buckle down and work harder to get over the mountain. If we see the mountain as a problem, we might gather as many sledgehammers or demolition equipment to destroy the mountain. And if we see the mountain as a scarce resource, we might decide to give up and resign ourselves to do nothing as we don’t want to destroy the few mountains we have left.
What does this have to to with business? Let’s say that your business has not been making the profit you had projected.
Challenge mindset: There is a gap, and I need to fill the gap (focus is on the challenge), the challenge being not making enough profit. I need to make more profit. Increase sales?
Opportunity mindset: What can I or my staff do to make more profit? What can we do differently? Who can give us feedback on how we are doing as a business? Who can we partner with? What other skills can we utilise to improve our product or service? Should we invest more in staff training, wellness? Should we utilise technology more, use an App?
Problem mindset: When focussing on a problem, the brain tends to narrow its focus and concentrate on what is wrong, and everything else is left in our peripheral vision. Focussing solely on the problem also pushes us into a hole where we keep digging and digging until we are so deep that we find it difficult to get out.
Solution-focused mindset: Focussing on a solution often opens our mind to alternatives, leads to brain-storming and creative options. We tend to use creative energy to find different and new ideas, it is exciting to explore and work towards something new.
Scarcity mindset: A scarcity mindset tends to see the resources around us as limited, for example, “there is not enough work for all of us in our industry, therefore I won’t share my tips on success with fellow entrepreneurs”. We don’t have enough profit therefore we might not have enough money to pay our staff, so perhaps we need to cut some staff right now.
Abundance mindset: An abundance mindset approaches situations with a view that there is enough for everyone. Can this mindset work in business? “So even though work is currently saturated in our market, I am open and generous to share my knowledge and skill, or subcontract the work I have, because I have the capacity to give.” How does this sit with you?
Take some time this week to reflect on your current perspective on life and your business. How is it working for you? Next make a point to meet and engage with a diverse group of people and identify which mindset they use to approach life and their business. How has it helped them? Then try to broaden your perspective by trying out the alternative.
Check out this youtube video to challenge your perspective: https://youtu.be/UcWsTwvtyOI