Developing a Growth Mindset: 3 Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs
Growth mindset
It enables female entrepreneurs to develop the confidence to take risks and push themselves to reach their full potential.
One of the ways that female entrepreneurs can develop a growth mindset is to expand their comfort zone by trying something new and taking risks they haven’t taken before. When Elyse Archer, host of the podcast “She Sells Radio” and I discussed doing an interview exchange, we were faced with a decision. Elyse was about to have her second child and I was facing a big deadline of my own. Instead of delaying our pod swap, we decided to try something new and co-hosted one interview, to be released on both podcasts.
Throughout the conversation, Elyse and I discussed the importance of taking risks in order to develop a growth mindset and the push-back that can come with it. Each of us shared our own experiences of taking risks and how it allowed us to achieve growth, abundance, and freedom in our lives and businesses. In this blog, I’ll outline how Elyse Archer and I learned from these experiences in order to share with other female entrepreneurs who want to develop a growth mindset. Both Elyse and I discuss our journeys of transitioning from playing small to stepping into the spotlight and the power of believing in yourself. We also share insights on how to become more confident and take full responsibility for creating the life you want.
Having a growth mindset is essential for female entrepreneurs in order to achieve their highest level of success. It enables them to develop the confidence to take risks and push themselves to reach their full potential. A growth mindset helps female entrepreneurs become more resilient when faced with challenges and setbacks. It also fosters creativity, allowing female entrepreneurs to think more innovatively and come up with ideas that bring them closer to their goals.
Having a growth mindset also helps female entrepreneurs build a network of successful peers and mentors. It allows them to actively seek out the support they need to overcome obstacles and reach their goals. With a growth mindset, female entrepreneurs are also more likely to stay focused on the long-term goal instead of getting discouraged when faced with immediate obstacles. This helps them stay motivated and on track to achieve their goals.
Some of the most important aspects when developing a growth mindset:
Learning to respond instead of reacting
Taking risks and exercising vulnerability
Striving to achieve the same or better results with less time and effort
Now let’s break them down:
Responding instead of reacting, is the best way to handle unexpected situations. Taking a moment to pause and assess the situation before acting can lead to better outcomes. For example, Elyse and I had planned to do a podcast swap the following day, but it was Valentine’s Day here in the US and Elyse's husband had something else planned for the two of them as a surprise. This could have led to disappointment, but instead of reacting, Elyse responded by suggesting that they schedule the recording earlier. This allowed them to make the most of the situation.
We talked about how taking risks and exercising vulnerability are important in order to build trust and self-confidence. I shared on the podcast that it took a lot of trust and vulnerability for me to take the risk of co-hosting an interview with someone I had only just met. In order to get the best results with the least amount of time and effort, it is important to be intentional about networking and relationship building. By responding instead of reacting,
Elyse and I were able to make the most of the situation and set a good example for our respective audiences. The importance of taking risks, exercising vulnerability, and being intentional about networking and relationship building emerged as key takeaways. These steps can help others become more open to growth and learning and make the most of unexpected situations. This can include sharing your personal stories, being open to feedback, and asking for help when needed. Doing this can create a deeper connection with others and help build trust. Taking risks and exercising vulnerability can be intimidating, but by doing so, you are taking an important step toward achieving personal growth and success.
It is also important to remember that taking risks and exercising vulnerability can lead to failure. This can be difficult to accept, but it is important to recognize that failure is a part of the process. By taking risks and exercising vulnerability, you are giving yourself the opportunity to learn and grow from your mistakes. This can help you become better equipped to handle future challenges and provide valuable insight. When done with the right attitude and mindset, it can help you create meaningful relationships and achieve goals that push you out of your comfort zone. Although it can be intimidating, it is an important part of the process that can help you become the person you want to be.
To get the same or better results with less time and effort, it is important to be intentional with networking and relationship building. One of the areas I discussed in our co-hosted interview was the importance of being willing to take full responsibility for one's own growth and development, as well as the need to internalize advice given by mentors and others. I also discussed the importance of understanding one's own upper limit issues and how they can keep one stuck in a dead-end job or marriage, and how taking the time to understand these issues can help us achieve more in the long run.
Elyse also addressed the importance of being organized in order to get the same or better results with less time and effort. She discussed the importance of creating a daily routine that works for you, as well as learning how to manage your time effectively. She also spoke of the importance of creating a plan that outlines both short-term and long-term goals, so that you can stay focused and on track. In addition to the tips shared by Elyse and me, it is also important to remember that networking is a two-way street. Being intentional in networking means being open to helping others and creating value for those around you. Asking for help is also important, as it can open up opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist.
I am grateful for the opportunity to expand my comfort zone, enhance my growth mindset, get to know a colleague, and expand my professional network, all at once. Sometimes, the best thing that can happen to us is when we don’t get what we wanted and things don’t go as planned. When we are open to the possibility, things can turn out better than we imagined possible.
