5 Different Mindsets to Implement if You Lack Business Productivity
With so many things to think about in the course of setting up a business, the concept of mindset can seem very low on our priority list. However, when we are attempting to get a business started and hit the ground running, we can’t overlook how best to be productive in terms of attitude.
Productivity is one of those things that some don’t think about until months (or even years) down the line once they are making a steady profit, but productivity is something that, if we get it right at the very beginning, can make a huge difference to how our business operates. This is why it’s not just about the type of tools or tactics we have in place but also the mindset.
Here are different types of mindsets to think about to ensure greater productivity:
A Productive Mindset
Naturally, a productive mindset is one that sees problems as opportunities and always finds solutions. Many people think about goals being fixed but to be productive, you need to value efficiency, goal setting, focus, time management, and being organised.
To be productive, you may require certain tools to help aid this productivity which could be enterprise service management software in terms of your IT or a very specific process. Whatever it is, a productive mindset is the very start of the overarching concept of productivity.
A Growth Mindset
The notion of creativity is critical, but so many organisations believe that you need to find the right person who can do the job. A growth mindset can see failures as feedback, embrace challenges, and be wholeheartedly committed to continuous improvement. Those who have a growth mindset believe that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning.
There are certainly many people who like to think to the contrary, but a growth mindset is not just pivotal to business, but to us as people. We should never believe ourselves to be a fixed point but have the inbuilt belief that we can develop ourselves. When you start to apply this thinking to employees or those who are applying for a job in your organisation but only have the right attitude, a growth mindset can open up so many doors to productivity, but also change how people perceive your business.
Actually giving someone the opportunity says so much more about your perception of what people can and cannot do, and it’s a far more open playing field, which can result in more people applying for roles in your organisation. When you set this mindset and it becomes an inbuilt part of your culture, you will continue to be productive because you’re always searching for a solution. Lots of people can stop as soon as a wall is put up, but a growth mindset can make all of the difference.
A Confidence Mindset
Being confident is key to productivity because it emphasises self-assurance and a belief in one’s abilities. Confidence is not arrogance because a confident mindset recognizes the flaws but focuses on the strengths rather than the insecurities.
We all can benefit from this approach because when the numbers are telling us we’re not progressing in the right direction it can be easy to be swayed far too much by negativity. We should always focus on our strengths rather than the things that we don’t have in place and when we pass this down to employees and not focus on the things they did wrong but actually capitalise on the things they did right this will breed a glass half full mentality.
Nobody’s perfect, however many businesses try to turn employees into something that has 100% output on paper. This does not exist, so why are we still chasing it?
A Dreamer Mindset
It can be easy to think that a dreamer mindset is typical of someone with their head in the clouds. A dreamer mindset is part of big-picture thinking. We need to push the boundaries beyond what is possible and this is what inspires people more than anything else. We should aspire because this will force us to think more creatively and look beyond what we perceive as the norm.
Because people can collapse at the first sight of a problem, it’s those who understand the bigger picture that can keep everybody pulling in the right direction. Employees can make the mistake of not looking at the bigger picture and this means, over time, they become bound by tunnel vision. As business leaders, we should help our employees to see the wider picture and understand how everything links together. When employees get to see the bigger picture it instantly feeds into a great sense of autonomy and creativity, but it also means that they understand why they’re doing something.
Larger organisations can benefit from showing employees how what they’re doing fits into the larger picture and it’s this dreamer mindset that will slowly inspire everyone to think beyond their self-imposed four walls.
A Creative Mindset
This is one that we all know should be the default setting of our employees. A creative mindset is fueled by one’s curiosity and the desire to express themselves. Many people can benefit from having a greater sense of curiosity in their work. The big issue with the creative mindset is that it can be at odds with productivity.
A creative mindset is akin to an entrepreneur’s approach that embodies innovative thinking, and as businesses, we should inspire people to think creatively, which means giving employees the time and the space to come up with their own unique ideas.
We also need to remember that creativity is going to make them feel far more productive in their efforts, so rather than focusing purely on the tasks they need to complete, we should give them time once a week to come up with more creative ideas and brainstorm solutions, not just for the wider business, but for them.
These diverse mindsets can all have positive implications on how businesses approach the concept of productivity. What is the right mindset for your business? Which ones do you already embody? It’s not about having one overarching mindset, but about developing the appropriate mix so you can develop your company accordingly and drive sustained success.
*This is a collaborative post.
