THE SABOTAGING MINDSET (PART 1)

Last week, I shared the Four Foundational Pillars for business success and why they’re essential. Along with developing the skills tied to each Pillar, there’s another factor at play—our deeply held beliefs. These beliefs, embedded in our psyche, can quietly sabotage our progress.

By observing, questioning, and offering alternatives to these beliefs, we can loosen their grip and make room for growth.

Part 1: How Your Worldview Holds You Back

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

We all filter the world through a personal lens, creating stories about how things work and how we see ourselves. Over time, these narratives become ingrained, often persisting for years or even decades. Changing them? Let’s just say it’s not easy.

Think about how hard it is to convince someone with opposing political views, no matter how many facts you throw their way. And, let’s face it, they’re equally unlikely to change your mind. J.K. Galbraith nailed it when he wrote: “Faced with a choice between changing one’s mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy with the proof.”

We all have our mental donkeys, stubbornly digging in their hooves.

Common Worldviews That Sabotage Success

Here are some common worldviews that can hold entrepreneurs back:

·        It’s difficult to make it in the world.

·        If you’re rich, you must be ruthless.

·        You can’t make money in _______ (insert industry).

·        People are tight with their money; I’ll have to discount and compete on price.

·        You can’t trust anyone; everyone’s out for themselves.

Sure, you can find examples that support these beliefs. But when you treat them as absolute truths, you develop a sabotaging mindset.

For instance, if you believe being rich means being ruthless, you’re left with two options: either become ruthless or forgo wealth. You’ve boxed yourself in. Worse, you’ll likely ignore any evidence that challenges this view.

The Subtle Sabotage of Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Here’s the kicker: our actions tend to align with our worldview. Imagine you’re earning $5,000 a month and start to edge closer to breaking that ceiling. Suddenly, things falter. Maybe a big account goes quiet, or sales in your online store plateau. Subconsciously, your belief kicks in: “Only the ruthless survive.” You project doubt, pull back too soon, and—voilà—your mindset becomes your reality.

The Scarcity Mindset: A Major Roadblock

One particularly destructive belief for entrepreneurs is the scarcity mindset—the idea that there’s never enough to go around.

Yes, the world has problems, but let’s not ignore the progress we’ve made:

·        In the 1820s, 80% of the global population lived in extreme poverty. By 2018, that number had dropped to 9% (World Bank, 2019).

·        In 1950, the world’s average life expectancy was 46 years. By 2021, it was 71 years (UN World Population Prospects, 2022).

·        Starting a business today is easier than ever, thanks to technology, reduced regulations, and lower startup costs.

This isn’t about sugarcoating reality or romanticizing entrepreneurship. The road will be challenging. But why weigh yourself down with limiting beliefs before you even start?

The Power of an Abundance Mindset

An abundance mindset is the belief that there’s enough for everyone. It stands in stark contrast to scarcity thinking, where someone else’s success feels like your loss. I’m not suggesting you just “think positive” and magically attract prosperity. Transformation takes action. Growth is a process, not a mantra.

Steps Toward an Abundance Mindset

Developing an abundance mindset is about discovery and effort. It recognizes that while not everyone starts with the same resources, success stories emerge every day. Here’s how you can start:

1.       Look for Counter-Evidence

Challenge unhealthy beliefs by finding exceptions. If you think all wealthy people are ruthless, search for examples of rich individuals with integrity. Read about people who’ve built success ethically, or get to know someone in your network who defies your assumption.

2.       Reframe Your Beliefs

Move from absolutes to nuance. Instead of “All rich people are ruthless,” try:“I’ve met both ethical and unethical wealthy people. There’s room for someone like me to succeed with integrity.”

3.       Mind Your Media Diet

Social media loves to feed us extreme narratives that reinforce our worldview. Be disciplined about what you consume. Seek diverse perspectives and information sources to broaden your outlook.

What’s Next?

Our worldview is just one part of the sabotaging mindset. Equally important is how we view ourselves. I’ll dive into that in my next blog: The Sabotaging Mindset (Part 2).

Stay tuned!