Success in business is a mind game. Your mindset, your thoughts, and your beliefs are important. But more than that. They are not static, but an ever-evolving aspect of yourself that you have the power to shape and mould.
“It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
The words are Sir Edmund Hillary’s.
I’m sure you’ve heard them before.
I’ve seen them written on the walls in the arrival hall at Christchurch airport.
Admittedly, few of us can claim to have scaled Mount Everest. (In all honesty, I prefer to adore my dear Mount Taranaki from the bottom of the mountain.)
But the reason this quote resonates with so many of us is because it applies to all aspects of life.
Business included.
It’s ourselves we have to conquer. 
Success In Business Is A Mind Game
You heard it right.
Above all, SUCCESS IN BUSINESS IS A MIND GAME. 
See,…
your mindset, thoughts, beliefs are the silent architect behind every move you make in your entrepreneurial journey.
You may have the bees' knees in project management tools, the most considered strategies and the most ambitious goals in the world, if what goes on inside your head is not on the money, you’ll never move past the hustle.
It’s THAT important.
With that in mind (pun intended), it’s essential we explore why your mental game is more important for your business success than you think.
So I give you: THE INNER GAME OF BUSINESS, THE MINI-SERIES.
This is the first episode in which we explore the power of our mind and how it shapes our journey towards success.
There are a few facets we need to consider. Unsurprisingly, they’re all interconnected.
1. How Is Business A Game Of Mind: Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
Say mind games and you say mindset.
It’s your set of attitudes. How you show up.
In the context of business mind games for success, you’ll find two mindsets that get a lot of attention: the fixed mindset vs. the growth mindset.
We humans like the safety of our comfort-zone. We prefer what’s predictable. It’s how we are wired. Blame our brain. It resists change and discomfort. Which makes it easy to do what you have done in the past. That’s a fixed mindset.
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, here’s an example:
Ever tried to implement a new habit, only to find mediocre results, slipping into old habits as soon as your attention wanes? It’s your brain clinging to old routines. That's the fixed mindset at work, comfortable in the familiar, wary of the unknown.
HOWEVER, we can choose to believe our abilities aren’t fixed.
With the necessary dedication and effort, we can push through. Avoid the traps of falling back into the old. We can develop, turn into a better version of ourself. It’s all in believing things CAN change and a WILLINGNESS to go there (despite fear and discomfort). That’s a growth mindset.
It’s very easy to see that when it comes to what’s best for your business, a growth mindset will move you forward.
Because if you have a growth mindset…
Challenges become opportunities for growth Setbacks become lessons Effort becomes the path to mastery.
(I’ve dedicated previous episodes to the importance of your mindset and how you can master the art of having a growth mindset. You can find them here and here.)
2. How Is Business A Game Of Mind: Thoughts Shape Actions
But there are more mind games in business at play than just your mindset.
Our thoughts are equally powerful drivers of our actions.
Brooke Castillo calls it The Model.
Basically, it's a simple yet powerful framework that illustrates how our thoughts about circumstances create feelings or emotions, which in turn drive our actions, ultimately leading to specific results.
Here’s an example of how success in business is a mind game because thoughts dictate actions:
Imagine the situation where a client hasn’t paid their invoice on time. It’s a situation any of you will recognise.
You can respond in a few ways.
Reaction 1:
" Oh, really?! I don’t have time for this nonsense. Why do I have to chase them? They obviously don't value my service if they can't be bothered with paying on time."
Feelings of frustration, resentment, and even self-doubt lead the way.
In contrast…
Reaction 2:
"Mmmm. I wonder what happened. Perhaps the invoice has been held up in the payment system somewhere. I’ll give them a quick call to see what went wrong. "
Feelings of patience, understanding, and proactive problem-solving set the tone.
In the first scenario, you’ll dread working with them again. You feel resentful and it’s likely enthusiasm to work with them has taken a beating. Give it a bit of time and you can expect more late payments, strained client relationships, and a reinforcing belief that confirms your initial negative thoughts about the situation.
In the second scenario, you’ve created a friendly relationship with your client. One that fosters positive communication and a belief that you can handle challenges with grace and professionalism.
Bottom-line: By choosing your thoughts wisely, you can shift the entire trajectory of your actions and outcomes, turning the mind games in business into a success story.
Like it or not, positive thoughts lead to positive emotions, which drive proactive actions, ultimately yielding favourable results. Negative thoughts do the opposite.
So, as you navigate the ups and downs of your business journey, remember the power of your thoughts. They're not just fleeting notions, they're the architects of your reality.
3. How Is Business A Game Of Mind: Challenging Limiting Beliefs
The thoughts and mindset we have, however, don’t happen in a vacuum. Neither do our actions.
We all come with ‘baggage’ in the form of deep-rooted beliefs. Some helpful in the mind games in business, some not so much.
Those beliefs are stories we tell ourselves. They are influenced by how and where we were raised, where we went to school, who we surround ourselves with. Mostly, we simply accept these stories to be true.
BUT ARE THEY?
Conscious or unconscious, our beliefs are like a pair of glasses. If you're wearing glasses with a ‘gloomy’ or ‘victim’ prescription, everything you see will be bleak. But if you can swap those glasses for ones with a ‘sunny’ prescription, suddenly the world becomes full of possibilities.
So,… the beliefs you hold, are they empowering or limiting? Do they support your goals or hold you back?
The good news: You CAN rewrite the stories you tell yourself, replacing limiting beliefs with new, empowering ones. It's not easy, and it takes time and effort. But it can be done. (Tip: A coach can be very helpful in recognising limiting beliefs and support you in swapping your glasses.)
The obvious next question is, how can you positively play the mind games for success in business?
How do I take action in the brainwave department?
Taking Control Of Your Programming
The first step is always going to be awareness.
Your mindset, your thoughts, your beliefs….are they lifting you up or holding you back? Are they aligned with your vision for success?
In order to find the answer to this question, I recommend taking a moment every day to pause and observe your thoughts. Are you using business mind games for success or are they setting you up for failure?
Busy entrepreneurs that we are, we go through the day on auto-pilot. Running around, putting out fires, coming up with ideas, managing staff.
So unless we dedicate a certain time of the day (I recommend at least 15-20 minutes) to awareness of our thoughts, beliefs and mindset, we’re destined to stay on the hamster wheel.
So, step away from the hustle and bustle of your business and consciously shape your mind game.
Once you've become aware of it, it's time to take intentional action.
Because, if you want to grow your business, YOU have to grow. And to do this, it's essential that you shine a light on those thought patterns that aren't serving you and actively work to shift them.
You know,… conquer yourself to conquer the mountain. 
Would You Like Some Help With That?
What I want you to take from this episode is that success in business is a mind game. Your mindset, your thoughts, and your beliefs are important. But more than that. They are not static, but an ever-evolving aspect of yourself that you have the power to shape and mould.
By becoming aware of your thoughts, challenging limiting beliefs, and consciously choosing thoughts that align with your goals, you can unlock your full potential and achieve unparalleled success in your business and in your life. Because when you're an entrepreneur, you are your business and your business is you.
In the next episode of this special mini-series on The Inner Game of Business, we’re diving into manifesting our goals.
Because goal setting is one thing; achieving them is something else entirely. And it’s your mindset, thoughts, beliefs, and actions that take you from mediocre to goal-crushing!
If you found value in today's episode, be sure to subscribe for future episodes and share this podcast with fellow entrepreneurs who are on their own journey of transformation.
