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How a Growth Mindset Can Boost Your Confidence and Career

We all know it. You set yourself a goal, work hard for it and, despite your best efforts, experience a setback. But it is precisely in such situations that the question arises; How do I handle this? The right mindset is essential here. We mainly speak of two types: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset.

 

The first question is to what extent the two mindsets differ. The American psychologist Carol Dweck has put forward an interesting thesis. She roughly defines the two approaches as follows:

 

Fixed mindset:

 

  • Innate talent and intelligence determine whether you can do something or not.
  • You learn to get positive feedback and to please others.
  • Mistakes and defeats are viewed as lack of talent and ability.

 

Growth Mindset:

 

  • You are convinced that you can develop skills further.
  • You learn to understand things better through experiences.
  • Mistakes are seen as an opportunity to learn from them and to try new things.

 

In order to gain insight about the kind of mindset that we act on, you have to ask yourself: What kind of mindset do I have? It is helpful to think about fairly recent situations that are still fresh in your memory. Was personal growth in the foreground, or did you act to please others? When a stressful situation or challenging task occurred – did you face it openly or did you try to avoid it? Addressing these kinds of questions can help you determine how you approach challenges and what is your default mindset that you operate with. 

 

Changing your mindset is a process. These are small steps you can start with to help you cultivate a growth mindset and leave old patterns and limiting beliefs behind you:

 

Question your own mindset.

Are you standing in your own way with a restrictive (fixed) mindset? Reorient yourself, because the growth mindset can open doors for you and help you move forward. Having a growth mindset can be trained and strengthened through building awareness.

 

Be open to new ideas and challenges.

Take on new challenges and try to approach failure with a different attitude. Making mistakes is part of life, and so are setbacks. You’ve probably heard how many successful people failed before they were able to reach their goal. Sometimes setbacks are important and can help you refine your direction and make you more determined. Setbacks can become important stepping stones towards your goal, as long as you approach them in this way. 

 

Be patient.

Be acutely aware of the voice in your head. Sometimes we are our worst critic and play negative scripts in our minds over and over again. It took a long time to identify with the negative thought patterns. It might take some time to rewrite the affirmations towards a growth mindset. It is possible to change the script through mindfulness and patience. Every time we become aware of a negative thought pattern, we can actively go through affirmations in our head that are empowering. It will not seem authentic in the beginning, but the more you actively change the story you tell yourself, the more you will start believing in your potential.  

 

Write down positive messages.

Write down a few messages in line with the growth mindset, for example on post-it notes, and stick them somewhere where you can often see them. The more we repeat thoughts, the more likely we are to believe them. Write things like, “I can do xy if I work hard enough.” “Failure is only one step on the way to realizing my goals.”

 

Be realistic.

Try to let go of any perfectionism that you would normally approach things with. There will always be something that can be improved. Rather than focusing on a specific end result, try to approach this mindset change as a practice. Focusing on the process will allow you to grow your confidence steadily. This confidence will transfer into all areas of your life.   

 

Celebrate your achievements.

Not just the big ones, but also the small ones. You work your way forward step by step and you should acknowledge that. There will always be challenges, obstacles, but also a sense of achievement. Accept that and it will be easier to take on challenges with all the uncertainties.

Go your way at your own pace. Learn what works and what doesn’t for you. As long as you don’t stand still, you are heading towards success.

 

The right attitude is the cornerstone of a successful career and life. That is why it is important to find out what attitude you have, how you can change it, if necessary, and how you strengthen it and raise your awareness on a daily basis. Having a “growth mindset” will open many doors for you. We have to believe that with enough practice and perseverance, we can get better and better and achieve our goals. The good news is that the way we think can be changed. Our life can be different if we learn to look at it from the growth mindset perspective.

 

A fixed mindset makes us think that talent and intelligence are static. The growth mindset, on the other hand, means that we believe that we can continuously develop our skills if we only put enough effort into it. That is empowering.

 

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Consistency and Resilience – Key Factors For Career Success

In order to develop your full potential in the workplace, it takes consistent effort and often a good amount of resilience to get through the tough days or moments where things don’t go as anticipated. Being a successful employee requires more than just wanting to do our best. Sometimes difficult situations may come up and we need to dig deep and find ways to push though. In order to consistently show up as our best self, it may require looking at the big picture and having goals to focus on. 

 

Whether it’s a promotion, a raise, or the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, knowing the next step you want to take is important to become more consistent and resilient in the workplace. A good plan of action will help you have a successful career and focus on what truly matters. The following simple steps may not only help you to display consistency at work but may lead you to discover your full potential in the process. 

 

Know your strengths and weaknesses

It is important to identify areas that you can improve in the workplace. Knowing where your strengths lie and in which areas you need more time or support is important in order to become a more successful professional. Addressing your weaknesses one at a time can turn them into strengths. If you do the same with your strengths, you will be able to make better use of them in your career.

 

Organize your work

Becoming more organized and structuring your work flow are easy ways to reach your full potential and develop consistently good results in the workplace. Good organization will allow you to better prioritize your tasks, get more things done, and become more efficient. This will also allow you to respond better in situations where you receive unexpected assignments that have a deadline. Having structure and creating routines will make you more relaxed and happier at work.

 

Ask yourself “why” you are doing something

If you encounter challenging situations in the work environment it often helps if you just pause for five minutes and ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. You have to be able to visualize the long-term goal behind it. In the best case scenario, the end result is motivating and encourages you to continue working more effectively and with a renewed spirit.

 

Educate yourself continuously

Continuous learning is an essential part of our daily life. When we find we lack inspiration at work, we usually decide to change companies or roles. Continuous learning enables you to develop yourself as a person and in your profession. Take training courses, attend online events or webinars, and socialize with industry experts to motivate yourself and get through challenging times at work. All of these efforts will help you learn more about your area of ​​expertise and develop your professional identity and confidence.

 

Believe in yourself

The most important thing is that you believe in yourself. Oftentimes, employees think they don’t deserve a promotion or that they’re not ready for more responsibility. Having confidence in yourself is half the battle. Believing that you are able to do more in your position will encourage you to actively seek opportunities, be more motivated, and feel in control of your life. It is also important to note that we should strive to surround ourselves with hardworking and positive people, if possible. As humans, we react to our environment. In some situations, unreliable employees can negatively influence you and affect your quality and consistency of work, as well as your outlook on your career and life in general.

 

If you’re looking for more ways to advance in your career, browse through our informative articles on our blog page. These can help you develop and grow professionally. If you are looking for a new professional challenge, send us your resume.

 

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Networking Like a Professional

Building and maintaining relationships in the professional world is no longer just a matter for the executive floor. Almost everyone benefits from their own industry community. How important is successful networking to you?

Networking can be a lot of fun and one of the easiest ways to find a new job or advance your career. With the following tips on networking, you can quickly raise your social capital in various professional situations, despite our current economic circumstances or social distancing scenarios. Use these strategies to maintain and expand your interaction map in order to network successfully:

✓ The basics:

Before you start reaching out to new people, evaluate carefully who is currently in your network. It’s not about collecting the most connections, it’s about productive relationships that can benefit your career. Making a list of the most valuable connections you already have that align with your current goals will help you to be efficient, organized and purposeful when building your network. Your objectives play an important role in the whole process because one of the most important parts of networking is identifying your intention and then deciding what strategy to employ.

✓ A Clear Networking Strategy:

The right contacts are strongly related to your networking goals. However, it can also make sense to network with like-minded people and people who think differently on a professional level. Make a conscious effort to network with different people outside of your “bubble”. The focus here is on the exchange based on professional experience, knowledge and further training as well as paying particular attention to employers and career opportunities. At the same time, role models in your specific career branch are extremely valuable, as you can learn a lot from them.

✓ Content Counts:

The search for common interests shouldn’t take too long, because you want to network with each other for professional reasons. But think carefully about the content that you actually want to offer to your connections. Focus on the positive. Nobody wants to hear a long sad breakup story. Instead, people feel the need to help and explore opportunities. So ask! Make it clear what you are looking for and actively ask about the company in which your friends and network contacts are working. Remember asking whenever appropriate, if there is anything you can do for them. Always remember: you too have valuable knowledge.

✓Added Value:

Try networking by finding out who the other person is and how you can help them in any way. It is well known that giving comes before taking. Many forget that. Use your expertise to help others. You could improve your relationships by sharing something you learned about a new technology or a piece of advice on using certain software. You could send them links to articles on topics that you think are relevant to the industry your connections are in. Share what you’ve learned as a thank you for your new connection and to keep in touch. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends for any open positions if you are actively looking for a job. Filing a position could possibly lead to a bonus for your friend and could become a win-win situation.

✓Work on your network before you need it:

The best time to start networking is before you need it. You do the right networking by skillfully introducing yourself, contributing content, adding value, and remaining authentic. You can do this at any point in your career. Professional networks have to grow and be maintained over time, so don’t expect a fruitful community from the get go. Be patient. Activate your network with commitment, determination, and consistency. This works best when you enjoy networking. Experience shows that your efforts will pay off sooner or later.

Building relationships with professionals is a skill and, like any new skill, you need to practice it over time. Be patient and let natural timing work to your advantage. Slow and careful is better than fast and random. Putting the effort into maintaining your network will give you many advantages in the interactive professional world: Successful networks are a treasure chest, filled with inspiration, ideas, and collaborations!

No matter what professional position you are in or whether you are currently looking for a job or not, we encourage you to connect with us. Take advantage of working with our knowledgeable recruiters and become part of their valuable network. Let’s connect.

 

 

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Navigating A Successful Career Change During the Pandemic

The global pandemic is forcing many employees to work remotely from their homes. Others have been off work temporarily and many people have lost their jobs entirely. The time spent at home and away from people’s regular routines allowed many professionals to think about and rethink their previous career path.

 

Maybe you’ve been thinking about a career change for a long time, or at least reconsidering your priorities and preferences. There are a variety of reasons why someone might want a career change. Especially during this time, many people consider making major changes in their life. However, a career change should not be taken lightly – particularly with all the uncertainty the pandemic has created in everyday life and our economy. If you’re wondering whether a career change is really the right step for you at this moment, ask yourself the following questions first:

 

  1. Do I want to change my entire career or am I simply dissatisfied with my job during this time of the pandemic?

 

It is very important to think thoroughly about why you feel you need to make a career change right now. Your current dissatisfaction is likely to be related to the reality of the pandemic than to your actual job. Think about how your work has changed during the pandemic and how likely it is that the situation will eventually change to the way it used to be. Do you predict the recent changes to be permanent? Will you be satisfied in your current position as soon as the pandemic is over and everything is back to normal. If you were previously dissatisfied with your career, it is likely that right now these feelings are intensified and lead you to think about a new path.

 

  1. Am I dissatisfied with my job or my career?

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has probably already brought a lot of negative aspects of your work to the surface. Maybe you don’t feel valued or undervalued in your company. Perhaps you’ve always had problems with your manager and working from home only exacerbates them. The changes brought about by the pandemic have probably intensified all of those feelings.

However, a bad feeling doesn’t have to mean that you have to make a complete career change. In many cases it can be the specific position, manager or team in the company that lead to your dissatisfaction and all you need is an internal change. Be honest with yourself – do the problems only depend on your current position or would they recur in another area? If you find that you can’t and don’t like your current type of job, or you don’t see a future for the entire industry, you may be looking for a bigger change.

 

  1. What am I looking for on my new career path?

 

You shouldn’t focus on what you are running from, but rather on what you are walking towards. Focus on what you would find satisfying and rewarding about the new career instead of looking back at your current job in frustration. Think about what you want to do next and why, not what you will leave behind. For example, you may feel that you are making no difference in your current position. Instead of stopping there and thinking about it, ask yourself what kind of career path will allow you to make a difference .

 

  1. What is my mental and emotional state like at the moment?

 

Experiencing a pandemic can affect your emotional wellbeing. Neither of us has ever lived through a time like this. It is quite possible that there are additional feelings, emotions, and thoughts that are weighing heavily on you, and that have nothing to do with the job you are in. Be honest with yourself and try to separate the thoughts and feelings that arise as a result of what is happening in the world from those associated with your role and the industry in which you work. You are making a life decision in the middle of a traumatic event where the emotions are really high. Do you make this decision out of your current emotions or out of rational thinking?

Also, look at your coping mechanisms that could affect your judgment. Are you addicted to alcohol, medication, or toxic relationships? Are you able to think clearly and rationally? Do you panic easily and make impulsive decisions in other aspects of your life? These can all be signs that you should wait and think before taking any further steps.

 

  1. Am I ready to face two life changing events at the same time?

 

Getting through a pandemic and rethinking your career path are two major events in your life. Do you really feel ready to take on the stresses and strains of changing jobs while dealing with other stressors that COVID-19 has brought with it? If you switch careers now it can be difficult to find a company that is ready to hire during or after a pandemic.

If you find a new job, you may first work virtually with your boss and the new colleagues and customers for a while. It could be difficult to build new connections and relationships. If you think starting a new career is too difficult or too stressful under normal circumstances, the year of the pandemic might not be the right time to go that route.

 

  1. Do I have the financial means to support a career change?

 

You should also think about the financial aspects of changing careers. It can be risky to make such a change during a recession. Do you want to and can you take this risk? Can you adjust your expenses or rely on your savings if you may lose your income for a while or experience a pay cut? If you’re worried about possible layoffs or budget cuts in the new career area, doesn’t it make more sense to wait before making a change?

 

  1. What are the long-term prospects for my industry?

 

Some industries are hit harder than others, including retail, transportation, leisure and hospitality. If you predict that your industry will need time to recover, it is better to look for other possibilities to use your knowledge and skills in a meaningful way. Trying to think through all of these questions can be intimidating. It is helpful to write down your responses, review them and see if this generates new thoughts and ideas on how you view your future career. This will give you the opportunity to look at your thoughts more objectively and your feelings more closely.

Once you have answered these questions for yourself, you will better understand the motivation behind your desire to change careers. This might help you gravitate towards staying in your current job or area, or quite possibly make it easier to decide that now is the perfect time to change your career.

 

If you need help navigating a career change, please get in touch. Our experienced staff can coach you through the process and offer many opportunities, especially in the IT and engineering field.

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