Open Your Mind to New Opportunities For Your Life and Business

The Lightbulb Effect – When Your Mindset Opens

We've all experienced a moment in time when the "lightbulb" went on and we had a clearer understanding of a concept, idea or even a whole new revelation to a problem we have been struggling with. Like a flash of lightning coming from the sky, this revelation blasts into your life and electrifies you with shocking power. 

I Think I Understand - Mindset Reviewed

Recently I had my own lightning bolt of reality shock me. I was working on improving my skills as a coach and had a senior trainer review one of my calls. What I discovered blew my mind. The skill that I thought I had done so well at before I thought was something else. I discovered I had mastered something completely different! This opened the door for me to really look at what I understand.

What do we really understand? What do we know? What happens when we think we know? Like me, once you think you understand a concept you tend to close your mind, and all learning stops! You see, the danger is when we think we understand. The greatest treasure we can have, is not what we think we know but what we don’t. Learning this mindset skill will help you make radical changes to your business, profession, and leadership.

Closing Your Mind Limits Your Learning and Your Leadership

Here is a story to help illustrates that point. A young man was sitting next to an older gentleman in the cafeteria of a noted university. The senior fellow was working away at some notes and studying his text. The young man, trying to make conversation said to his counterpart “what are you studying?”  Raising his head and lowering his glasses to this query, “physics” was his reply. In a flash the young man blurted out “really, I took that last semester.”  Saying nothing Albert Einstein the genius of physics smiled and went back to his work. 

You see sometimes we know so much yet understand nothing! When you don’t know, you have power to grow, to learn and take what you learn and put it into action. It takes humility and the innocence of a childlike mind that is inquisitive, never assuming anything, only looking for what is there now.

You’re Either Smart Enough or Dumb Enough!

Frequently we have small business clients who come into our Stoke business growth coaching program frustrated because they see other businesses or professionals excelling and growing their business. They’re not upset at their colleague’s success per say, only that they see themselves just as bright and hardworking as their counterpart yet seem to be struggling. 

My response is always the same; you’re either smart enough or dumb enough! 

Smart enough to know you need to be childlike, opening up your mind and humbly take in all the learning you can get or dumb enough to not know any different and just be childlike and do it! Either way will bring success but thinking you know will block your success.

To open your mind and practice being curious like a child ask yourself some of these reframing questions:

• What’s the biggest thought I can have now?
• What if that wasn’t true (the past belief or thought)?
• What are the characteristics of this problem?
• What if, this was a blessing in disguise?
• What’s the outcome I want?
• If nothing could stop me, what success would I plan for?
• If success were the only option, what would need to happen?

The Childlike Mindset Creates Opportunity

What if you could look at every situation with a childlike mind in your business? What possibilities are there? What would your tomorrows look like if you saw the whole picture? Think how fulfilling your life would be. Think of the impact you could have on the people you serve. This is the possibility when you have a childlike mind. I challenge you to look at the world differently today. Don’t allow your knowledge, your prejudices, or beliefs taint what could be your greatest business or sales success.

Be like a child and explore a whole new World!