It’s all about the Mindset when it comes to Growth!

I would like to talk about how varying performance levels, driven by different mindsets, can influence our career trajectory over a 25-year span. The mindset you adopt early on can play a monumental role in shaping your growth. You might think small percentage differences don't matter, but trust me, they compound in ways you can't even imagine. For example, everytime you upgrade your mindset to the next level, you can increase your growth rate by 3x times. So if you do it 6 times in your career, then you can see your growth rate increasing by 729 times! (3^6=729)

Notice how minimal the growth seems when juxtaposed with the potential expansion achievable through elevated mindsets during the same period of 25-years

Dream big, and don't shy away from setting ambitious goals!?

Understand the following 7 distinct mindsets that you may want to adapt at various stages of your career to shape your journey the way you want.?

CGRA = Career Growth Rate per Annum

Passive (10% CGRA):

Many of you will start with a passive mindset that is the foundational stage. Qualities at this stage include adherence to the basics, a focus on learning, and consistency. But if you don’t focus on becoming Active and take control of your career, you may not even achieve 1% of what you actually deserve.

Active (15% CGRA):

You start to excel in your domain with an active mindset. You become efficient, improve over time, and become a reliable asset to your organization. This stage requires a strong base of technical knowledge, the ability to meet targets, and regular skill enhancement. Always keep an eye on new opportunities and areas that could spur faster growth instead of avoiding the risk and playing it too safe.

Manager (20% CGRA):

Reaching the Manager phase means you've got a handle on things. You are respected, presentable, have a strong work ethic, and integrate work-life balance seamlessly. Your personality is likable, you maintain strong bonds with family, old friends, and colleagues. Your stability is your strength. You're the pillar that teams rely on. Your management and organizational skills, especially resource allocation, shine at this level. Always avoid getting caught up in a comfort zone to escape from stagnation at this stage. Expanding your professional network or stepping out of your comfort zone and learning to navigate through the obstacles is the key to progressing to the next level for even greater success is within reach.

Navigator (25% CGRA):

Boldness defines the Navigators. Some of you will take leaps - maybe even relocating for better opportunities. You will become much more smart and strategic, and have an eagle eye for areas promising better returns. Financial acumen starts to play a role here. With increased earnings, you must become a prudent investor by gathering diverse opinions before making decisions. Cultivate a cautious approach to guarantee consistent advancement, yet remain open-minded, allowing space for fresh perspectives that can elevate you to leadership.

Leader (30% CGRA):

Standing tall, you're at the helm of decision-making. Your commitment to excellence, combined with your powerful negotiation skills, defines you. You're the beacon of professionalism, delivering on promises and leading with clarity. Leaders possess a keen understanding of organizational vision and strategy. Their decision-making ability impacts entire teams or departments. Your strength is in delegation, setting clear directions for your teams. But, be wary; staying connected with the ground realities ensures your decisions are effective and keeps you anchored. At this juncture, it's crucial to master the art of failing quickly and cost-effectively. This is when you make intentional strides towards innovation, positioning yourself for unparalleled success by distinguishing yourself from the crowd. It's essential to cultivate unwavering resilience, facing failures with tenacity and moving forward with sheer determination and persistence to become a Trailblazer.

Trailblazer (35% CGRA):

Trailblazers are revolutionaries. You’re constantly setting new directions and breaking barriers. You possess unparalleled boldness and are incredibly swift in decision-making. Your multifaceted approach ensures stability, but you're still somewhat averse to taking huge risks which limit your ability to take your growth to the next level. In your pursuit to be reliable for those around you, you may not always reach for the stars. However, with a little extra effort, not only can you elevate your current status, but also pave the way for the emergence of a Pathfinder that your people have never seen. This would be the first difficult transformation you will go through to realize your full potential as it will involve making many tough decisions.

Pathfinder (40% CGRA):

Dynamic and potent, Pathfinders spread their wings across multiple ventures, ensuring breadth and stability. You refine paths and make them more navigable for others to follow and implement. Your strategic diversification ensures stable growth, but perhaps at the cost of depth in any single domain. The wider focus provides the much needed security but might curtail the ultimate peak of success you can achieve. Transitioning to the next level is essential to reach the pinnacle of mindset evolution.

Pioneer (50% CGRA):

At this juncture, you stand out among millions. You're on the brink of the zenith of success. Pioneers epitomize visionary leadership. You're not just a trendsetter but also a magnet, drawing other great minds to join your journey. Your thinking transcends conventional boundaries. Your courage, adaptability, innovation, and leadership qualities make you stand out. You're solely driven by the broader good and not by any personal agenda. Your resilience enables you to overcome setbacks. Your insatiable curiosity fuels continuous exploration. Despite facing challenges, your creativity and resourcefulness ensure you find solutions. Above all, your passion drives you, propelling you to challenge the status quo. If you sustain this momentum over a 25-year career span, you'll achieve results that are at least fivefold better than before. Furthermore, many wonders can be achieved by honing the skill of uniting brilliant minds and fostering a cohesive team spirit.

So, these are the different mindsets we traverse through in our lifetime and the key for success is to uplift your mindset early on. But if you're just kicking off your career, I totally get that leaping to these elevated mindsets might seem daunting. So here's my advice: take it step by step. Start with the ambition to be recognized as a Trailblazer. Don’t rush, stay very focused and driven BUT the sooner you do it, the faster you grow to your potential and be in a good position when you’re 40 (after 18 years).

Income comparison of Active (achieving Trailblazer status in 18 years), Impressive (reaching Trailblazer in 14 years), and Aggressive (ascending to Trailblazer in just 10 years) over the first 18 years of career

In summary,

• Mindset and Growth Rate: The relationship between attitude and progress, focusing on fostering a positive outlook to enhance personal development.
• Compounding Effects: The phenomenon where small gains accumulate over time to yield significant outcomes.
• Upgrading Mindsets: Actively changing and improving one's perspective to achieve greater success and fulfillment.
• Mindset Shifts and Career Phases: Adjusting mental attitudes during different stages of one's career to adapt and excel.
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Believing in something strongly enough that it influences actions, leading to its manifestation.
• Long-Term Vision and Goals: Setting ambitious objectives and aspirations that guide actions over an extended period for future achievement.

If the steady growth of 15% is set as the baseline

• 20% CGRA leads to growth of 2-5x of the baseline.
• 25% CGRA catapults growth to 5-10x of the baseline.
• 30% CGRA soars to 10-40x of the baseline.
• 35% CGRA amplifies growth to 40-75x of the baseline.
• 40% CGRA boosts it further to 75-200x of the baseline.
• 50% CGRA takes it to astronomical levels of 750x of the baseline or much more

However, by being just passive, the growth rate can be just a third of the baseline performance.

Hence, take charge of your career, set your goals high and keep pushing!