OAR vs BED: The Mindset That Drives Your Business Forward

Ever heard of the OAR vs BED framework? Also known as Above and Below the Line, it's a simple yet powerful concept that can transform how you approach challenges in both business and life.

Let me break it down for you.

Heres a link a video post i did earlier with a little summary -

Oar Vs Bed Mindset ! Another Dan @ Dawn Video

OAR vs BED – What Do They Mean?

• OAR: Ownership, Accountability, Responsibility.
• BED: Blame, Excuses, Denial.

Now, think about your daily routine: Which side are you on more often?

Above the Line: OAR Mindset

When you’re thinking and acting above the line, you embrace the OAR mindset. Here’s what it looks like:

• Hope: Always look for possibilities and solutions, no matter how challenging.
• See It: Acknowledge the situation—even when it’s tough.
• Accountable: Own your role in every outcome, whether it’s a win or a loss.
• Make Choices: Decide to act, even when it feels risky.
• Find Better Ways: Constantly seek improvement.
• Own It: Take responsibility for both successes and failures.
• Solve: Focus on solutions rather than problems.
• Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback to grow and learn.

Outcome:

When you adopt the OAR mindset, you’re paddling forward—taking action, learning, and growing.

Example from a client in the past (name changed confidentiality):

Sarah, a business owner, faced a sharp decline in sales last quarter of 2022.

Instead of blaming the pandemic / economy (BED mindset), she took ownership of the situation. She acknowledged the need to adapt, took responsibility for revisiting her marketing strategy, and held her team accountable for executing the new plan.

Within a few months, not only did sales rebound, the team also gained valuable insights into what works for their market.

Let's now look at flip side...

Below the Line: BED Mindset

On the other hand, below the line thinking keeps you stuck in the BED mindset:

• Ignore: Pretend the problem doesn’t exist.
• Deny: Refuse to see the reality of the situation.
• Blame: Point fingers at others instead of taking ownership.
• Do Nothing: Wait for things to change on their own.
• Wait for Others: Expect someone else to fix the problem.
• Excuses: Find reasons why something can’t be done.
• Victim: Feel helpless and out of control.
• Find Fault: Focus on what’s wrong instead of what could be fixed.
• See Failure: View setbacks as the end rather than an opportunity to learn.
• Stay Stuck: Resist change and cling to old ways.
• Block Obstacles: View challenges as barriers instead of opportunities.
• No Control: Believe that success is outside your influence.

Outcome:

The BED mindset traps you in inaction, blame, and excuses, halting your progress.

Example from a client in the past (name changed confidentiality): Tom runs a small consultancy. Recently, he lost a key client and instantly fell into the BED mindset—blaming market conditions and making excuses for not reaching out to new prospects. For weeks, he was stuck. But when he caught himself in this cycle, he chose to shift to the OAR mindset. He took ownership of the situation, revisited his sales approach, and within two months, secured three new clients.

Overcoming BED & Embracing OAR

The shift from BED to OAR is all about conscious choices.

Here’s how you can start:

Self-Reflection:

Take a moment to identify where you might be playing the blame game or making excuses.

Take Action:

Consciously choose to own your role in every situation. It could be as simple as acknowledging a mistake or taking responsibility for a decision.

Seek Support:

Talk to mentors, coaches, or peers who can keep you accountable.

Celebrate Wins:

Recognise and celebrate when you take ownership and make progress.

I will say this again for emphasis ! If your feeling like this ASK FOR HELP !

Why It Matters for Businesses

Businesses that embrace the OAR mindset outperform those that don’t. Here’s why:

• Build Trust: When teams take ownership and avoid the blame game, trust within the organisation flourishes.
• Foster Growth: A mindset that focuses on solutions drives innovation and learning.
• Overcome Challenges: Seeing obstacles as opportunities accelerates progress.

Example from a client in the past (name changed confidentiality):

A small startup embraced the OAR mindset by holding monthly reviews to discuss both successes and failures. Instead of blaming individuals for mistakes, they took a team-wide approach to find solutions. As a result, they not only improved their processes but also saw an increase in employee morale and productivity.

Your Next Steps:

1. Reflect: Where do you see the BED mindset in your daily work?
2. Act: Start shifting to the OAR mindset today. It’s the small, consistent changes that build momentum.
3. Discuss: Share this framework with your team. How can you all implement this mindset shift together?

Remember: It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being proactive. Each time you choose OAR over BED, you paddle closer to growth and success.

Looking Ahead

In a few weeks, I’ll revisit this concept to see how we’ve all shifted our mindsets. Let's check in on 22nd October 2024 to reflect on our progress!

So, where do you want to be today: rowing forward with OAR or staying stuck in BED?

Creating a Business Mindset for leaders is my mission, find out more here

I'm Daniel Andersen-Tuffnell. come and connect with me !

I Eliminating Business Bottleneck for SME's, 2 nuggets about me, I'm a Former Spartan Race Director & I am ?? Splendidly Dyslexic ??

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