How often have you been told that a mindset shift will help with something? The phrase “shift your mindset” is becoming increasingly common – and often, that blanket statement comes with no manual or process.
Being told to shift one’s mindset comes with questions like “How do I do that?” and “What will shifting my mindset accomplish?”
In a recent interview, Adi Klevit of Business Success Consulting Group and Michele Hecken of The Art of Offboarding discuss making one particular mindset shift. This is the shift from a solopreneur to someone scaling their business.
Specifically, Michele shares how “offboarding” business tasks allowed her to both scale her business and reduce her workload. The first step of this journey was a mindset shift, but of course, there was quite a bit of work to be done after that shift.
How to Make a Mindset Shift
In their discussion, Michele and Adi both shared how mindset shifts helped them expand their businesses.
Michele shared how she built a translation company where she was the translator, proofreader, business owner, and everything else. It was a one-woman show, and she worked 20-hour days until she decided things had to change. Because of that decision, she began hiring translators, and about a year later, she onboarded proofreaders. During that transitional period, she realized she had changed her title from translator to CEO.
This mindset shift materially affected the type of work she did, her work hours, and her company’s growth. Deciding to take the business from a one-woman operation to a small business shifted her job and focus.
But how does one take that first step – making the mindset shift?
Here are four steps you can follow right now to help you shift your mindset.
1. Identify the problem you are trying to solve.
For example, Michele wanted to work a sane schedule that allowed for personal time. For Adi, many of her clients also want to regain their time by building efficiency in their company.
2. Decide what needs to be done to solve the problem.
This can be an overall big-picture action. For example, Michele had to hire translators and proofreaders she trusted. This process took over a year, but the first step was determining that hiring staff would solve her problem.
3. Make the decision to solve the problem.
This is the mindset shift. You’ve been coping with the problem for some time, and now you aren’t willing to put up with it. You are going to do whatever you can to resolve the issue.
4. Take the first step toward solving the problem.
This is one step beyond a mindset shift, but it is vital. We make choices and have many “I should do ___” actions on our plates. When you act, you prove to yourself and others that you’ve made a shift.
What Will Shifting My Mindset Accomplish?
A mindset shift is the first step before creating a process, beginning to offboard tasks, or even starting a business. You’ve shifted your mindset many times in the past, and if you’re having difficulty doing so now, you may want to consider what a mindset shift will accomplish.
For example, Adi shared that a mindset shift is vital when she helps her clients build and implement business processes and procedures. They may see the need for systematization, but it will only happen once the business owner changes their mindset.
Part of this is because process implementation is a culture shift, and culture can only change when the business owner has changed. If you don’t follow the processes you and your team have documented, then no one in your business will implement those processes.
So, real change begins with a) a mindset shift and b) putting that shift into reality.
I’ve Shifted My Mindset – What’s Next?
You’ve shifted your mindset. You no longer want to be embroiled in everyday tasks at your office. You are ready to grow your business, delegate tasks, and step into the CEO role.
Now what?
As we said above, it’s time to take action. Here are three things you can do next that will help you move out of your current role into the role you want to inhabit:
1. Document processes and procedures
You must build your business from a place of knowledge. Documenting processes and procedures will establish the knowledge base for your business. Doing this will also show you what you can and should delegate – and what systems you need to continue to oversee or run yourself.
2. Delegate
This includes hiring people, training them on the processes and procedures you’ve laid out, and trusting them to do their jobs. Delegate tasks that get in the way of your goal – even if you like doing them. You may enjoy accounting, but if you are the CEO of a machine parts manufacturing plant, accounting should not be on your “to-dos.”
3. Keep systematizing as you grow
Systems will change and evolve; new systems will be needed as your company grows. Don’t build a system one time and then forget about it. Keep reviewing systems, talk to your employees about improving systems, and continue building efficiencies. Your systems are your “special sauce,” and they will help your company grow.
Are you ready to take your first step after a mindset shift? Contact Business Success Consulting Group to discuss your business systems.
