How can you develop a growth mindset for career transitions?

Mindset is everything. Your limiting beliefs never allow you to grow in your career. You should adopt a growth mindset. Practicing positive self-talk, challenging your limits, trying new things, having a learning attitude, and seeking feedback will help you develop a growth mindset and also open the doors of opportunities.

The idea of a career change is daunting when we have had a career for years or even decades. Yet, there is a desire inside to do something different. Maybe you want to step into a greater leadership role, a new career or start your own business. When taking on a new challenge, there is the unknown, 'What is the work-life balance like in the new career?' 'Can I maintain the same level of financial stability in my new career?' 'Is it a growing field with good prospects, or is it highly competitive?' You want to have a meaning why. Why do you want to make the change? This reason will help you overcome the obstacles that are inevitable along the way. Then, a growth mindset is easier to implement when you know why you want to change your career.

The fact that you have a fixed mindset, is something that surfaces only when you go through a challenge. for eg, if you have been assigned a project, that is new, so then what are the conversation happening in your head ? are you saying I am feeling nervous because I am not sure if I will be able to live up to my previous track record of being a start performer. Or are you saying, this is really challenging, but I am sure I will figure it out as I get started. If its the former, then you are having a fixed mindset, because your focus is entirely on you and your performance. however the 2nd one is an indicator of growth mindset, because despite being a novice, you are task focused and looking forward to mastering it.

I agree with this and have also come to the realization that “adaptability” is a big part of adopting a growth mindset. Career transitions typically involve lots of change, and a growth mindset that integrates humility and the courage to adapt to a new environment, can be the one thing that will determine your future success.

Assessing your own mindset can be a laborious and thankless experience that leads you to nowhere. Most people are way to critical on themselves. And mislead themselves to avoid what is what. We as humans tell ourselves way too many untruths. Think back to before mindset was sold as the most significant thing for growth. And get practical. Go for things. Why not? Try things. Why not? As mindset work has become synonymous with you can’t believe you can or think you are enough. And has fallen in love with calling everything trauma … I’d simply write down why you want to have career progression. Have some fun and go for it. Learn from it. Adventure with it. Stop turning every moment before it unfolds into a life coaching industry dream.

When looking to make career shifts we often focus on our gaps in knowledge and skills required for a new field. Challenge that by deeply investigating your transferable skills - you are so much more capable than you may realise!

Identifying and challenging limiting beliefs has completely transformed my life. The two most profound areas of change are my career—that I had worked so hard to build for over 20 years, and recovering from 13 years of multiple chronic illnesses. I loved my career in hand therapy—restoring lives and function after injury and treating the whole person and all aspects of an injury. But healthcare has changed so much since I started and I was burned out. It took a lot to dig deep and uncover what I was believing about myself and my capacity to change my career into something that feeds my soul. But, doing the inner work has given me more freedom in every area of my life.

Some ways to get started is to do a strength analysis that is not purely based on technical skills, there are various forms that you can do online, e.g. the Gallups strength finder. These might give you a good starting point on where your strength lie, you might even become more aware of how unique your skills and strengths are. Look for a career that builds on your strengths.

One interesting way of challenging beliefs is to - realise that many a times belief's that were at some point in time helping us may be working against us now? ex: A go getter attitude as a sales professional (belief - you have to be cut throat to be successful), may be working against one who is now looking to be at a leadership position where collaboration is required and winning at all cost. - validate the relevance of the belief and then choose whether to hold on to it or reframe it.

I played my fight song, Say I Won't, by Mercy Me every single day as I was moving from a 25 year career in mortgage banking to a coaching career supporting women in codependent romantic and other relationships. I needed something daily to remind me that I was going to do this no matter how scared, unmotivated or "imposter-ish" I was feeling. I wrote the words " Say I Won't" all over my desk, office and even had it tattooed on my inner arm so I could look at it all day if needed. This small act has pushed me to do what I say I will do when I say I will do it. SAY I WON'T!

A friend of mine has wonderfully stated - It's your "responsibility" to listen to every feedback and your right to "choose" the one that you want to. Many of us are very vocal when stating "Please give me feedback" and then continue in our hearts with "as long as it is good". It is important to receive the critical feedback because that is where the scope of improvement and hence growth exists.

Seeking feedback can be uncomfortable, especially if you value others' opinions over your own and you believe critical feedback is a reflection of your inherent worth and capability. It's not. It's someone's opinion, based on their own perspective, experiences, biases and even feelings in the moment. Trust yourself to take what's valuable and apply it and leave the rest, knowing you will always figure out the way forward.

Instead of generally asking for feedback, think which questions you have and who are the right people to adress them to. Is it about your management style, ask your peer or use the opportunity to see feedback from your team. Important, have a set of question that will help you to get honest and constructive feedback that you can use later on. A coffee catch up is no feedback session ;)

Seeking feedback is a cornerstone of career progression. It's a proactive approach that allows individuals to gain valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. Constructive feedback from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors not only offers a fresh perspective but also facilitates personal and professional growth. It helps in identifying blind spots, refining skills, and adapting to evolving work environments. By actively soliciting feedback, individuals can enhance their self-awareness and refine their professional development strategies. This willingness to receive and act on feedback demonstrates a commitment to growth and can open doors to new opportunities.

Feedback can provide many opportunities for growth, we all have a different lens through which we view our world, and the more open we can be about understanding how we can become better at whatever we are doing, the better. Be selective when seeking feedback and make sure that the people whose feedback you solicit have earned that position. Decide what you want to know and be thoughtful about how you ask for it.

SMART goals are an excellent framework for goal setting, and goal setting is a critical component of an effective career transition, which, let’s face it, can be filled with trepidation and many unknowns. A wise boss once told me, ‘control the controllables’; a great philosophy when making a career transition, as it allows you to focus your efforts on the things you can influence and focus less on those you can’t. In my experience, the expectations of how a career transition would conclude - like the one I made when I left the teaching profession in my early career - have been quite different to what happened in reality. My advice? Plan weekly reflection time and be as open-minded as possible to allow you to pivot as and when required.

SMART goals are too limiting. The very definition of having a growth mindset is to go beyond what you currently imagine is possible. Sure, set some specific and measurable tasks to hold yourself accountable. But don't limit yourself to what you think is achievable based on your past experience. If your goal feels uncomfortable and just beyond your reach you're on the right track. And who's to say what's relevant, especially if you're looking for opportunities outside your current industry? Get creative. Explore. Connect with interesting people in interesting jobs. Set a time on your goal, AND allow it to take longer without making that mean you failed. You're on a journey. Just keep going.

Effective goal systems are the foundation of successful organizational progress, and they are underpinned by four core principles, neatly summarized by the acronym FAST, which differentiates them from the more traditional SMART goals. Firstly, goals should be Frequent - integrated into regular discussions and updates, allowing for dynamic adjustments as circumstances change. This agility ensures that goals remain relevant and adaptable. Secondly, goals should be Ambitious in scope, stretching the organization and its members to reach their fullest potential. Ambitious goals inspire innovation and growth. Thirdly, goals must be Specific, defined by clear metrics and milestones.

Seek out new experiences. I’m inspired by a colleague of mine who found himself quite often in a fixed mindset and didn’t like it. He set out to engage in completely new experiences from diving to skating and from climbing to stone carving just to get more familiar with the feeling of growth and reduce his fears of trying something new.

Being a lifelong learner is a great way to develop your career. With this foundation, we can build valuable transitions, during which it is possible to grow without limits. I invite you to see the changes for the learning potential they represent. Then you approach them with the right attitude: total curiosity, open to building new relationships, and enjoying the process. Let me share a life experience... I remember that one of the most important changes in my professional career was moving into managing the back office of the sales teams (invoicing, CRM, SAP, contracts, etc.). I learned so much, I had such a talented team, I grew, that now I remember it as one of the best stages of my professional career.

Career transitions are the classrooms of professional growth. Every challenge is a lesson; each setback, a nudge towards the path we're meant to follow. Embracing this perspective transforms our outlook: We stop seeing hurdles as obstacles and start viewing them as stepping-stones. The shift from 'happened to me' to 'happened for me' isn't just semantics—it's the catalyst for a life enriched by continual learning and unbounded potential.

It may not seem like an opportunity in the moment, but time can help to create a different perspective. I have been through health crises, multiple significant losses, and multiple layoffs, and while some were easier to look at as opportunities, others felt like a test of my resilience—and I was failing. Now, I see all of it as opportunities for growth, and when things happen, I look at what I can learn from it. How can I do it differently next time, and what would my future self advise.

Alles ist ein Prozess. Alles ist tempor?r. Vor allem Ver?nderungen oder Herausforderungen. Wir sollten diese Chancen nutzen, für uns selbst zu wachsen und hinzuzulernen. Egal welches Ergebnis dabei rauskommt. Am Ende entscheidet nicht das Ergebnis, sondern der Prozess, den wir gegangen sind. Das Ergebnis ist nur die Folge aus unserem Prozess mit unz?hlig vielen Variablen aus dem Au?en, die wir nicht beeinflussen k?nnen. Ergo: Gib dein Bestes und werde Besser, in dem was Du tust und liebst. That's it.

This can be the most challenging and rewarding part of a job search. Be careful about falling into excessive passive action - reading, researching and planning - which can feel much comfier than the high-impact action of reaching out to connect and reconnect with people. Contacting people feels risky and vulnerable, especially if you haven't cultivated an open, growth mindset of curiosity, creativity and resourcefulness. Gather up your courage, commit to having your own back no matter the outcome and get out there. Your right fit job is waiting for you to find it.

In this journey of seeking opportunities to grow and expand your network, remember that success often lies at the intersection of preparation and serendipity. Be open to unexpected encounters and seize the moments when they present themselves. Sometimes, the most valuable connections and learning experiences come from the uncharted paths you choose to explore.

One great thing to use and can be taught to anyone, especially children, is the power of ‘yet’. The mother of the idea of the growth mindset, Carol Dweck, recommends using this. Instead of thinking ‘I can’t do this’, say instead ‘I can’t do this yet’. It opens your mind to the idea that you’ll be able to do it in the future and you’ll keep working towards your goal without giving up. I use it with my 2 boys and their maths homework!

A lifelong learning mindset means embracing continuous personal and professional growth. Stay curious, adapt to change, and self-motivate. Be resilient in the face of challenges, network with others, and reflect on your journey. Find a balance in your learning methods, and most importantly, enjoy the process. This mindset empowers you to stay relevant and adaptable in an ever-evolving world. ????

During my transition from Kindergarten teaching to becoming an Educational Advisor it made an enormous difference to my experience to work with a coach to determine how my skills could be transferred to my new role. Recognising that they can be reframed or adapted is a huge advantage, and sometimes a boost to your confidence. While you are learning and adapting, there are also lots of tools to draw from in your original tool box that will always be a unique part of you, making collaboration much easier, leaving you open to being teachable too.

While growth mindset is the way to grow, sometimes it is important to adopt fixed mindset (albeit consciously) for certain aspects of life. This can be done for things which do have a major impact or create value for us in that moment and context. ex: Choosing to say that I do not want to learn Spanish because it is difficult - especially when it is not required for me in the current situation - to me is not necessarily fixed mindset - it's just a conscious choice. Know what you want to work through with growth mindset and what you want to choose not to is equally important