Mindset and Career Growth (Part II)

Mindset and Career Growth (Part II)

Growth Mindset

Your mindset plays a major role in determining how far you will go in life.  You need to build a mindset that will help you believe in yourself, your dreams and harness every potential that will help you actualize them. Carol Dweck, a world-renowned Stanford psychologist writes: “for twenty years, my research has shown that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life” and as Debbie Millman wrote: “if you imagine less, less will be what you undoubtedly deserve”

A growth mindset should be at the forefront of any professional that wants to excel in a chosen field. You have to work with a definite purpose in mind, your career success depends absolutely on you and how far you are willing to go. 

A growth mindset helps you:

1.     Focus on continuous growth

2.     See every situation as an opportunity to grow

3.     Embrace your weakness and work on them.

4.     Quit comparing yourself with others, or trying to look smart

5.     Learn from criticism and feedback

6.     Believe talent can be developed through mindset and effort

7.     Learn to persevere in case of setback

8.     Find inspiration in others’ success rather than feel threatened.

One key determinant of your career growth is your mindset. Henry Ford wrote in one of his popular quotes: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right,”. You need to transition from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset; a mindset that helps you become positive and more deliberate about your career goals.

You may not be responsible for where you are now, but you become responsible for staying there, it doesn’t matter what level you are or what happened to you, where you go from there is the question. It is time to quit the blame game, it is time to drop the briefcase of excuses on why you are not exceling. It is time to take those professional trainings and certifications. It is time to reinvent yourself, quit procrastinating, set SMART goals and work to achieve them squarely. Quit blaming your organization and take a deep tour on your personal growth and development by reading books, articles, journals etc. Career exploits does not happen by accident, neither does it require any special talent that cannot be developed. You need to be deliberate. Focus your mind on learning and growth, take criticisms positively, become curious and consistent in your quest for career success.

Your career can only grow as far as your mind can grow. A man cannot grow beyond the level of his thinking.  If you want to experience career growth, then start training your mind by transitioning from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Building and sustaining a successful career is not cheap, it takes a lot of effort and sacrifices, but it will eventually be worth every investment you have put in, including your time and money.

An Article by Egboh Deborah ACIPM, HR Officer Telnet Nigeria Limited!!!