Written by Tatjana Gaspar, Coach, Consultant & Author
Tatjana Gaspar is a certified Systemic Coach and Online Trainer who uses methods that focus on the clients’ individual goals, thus aiming at improving their business or life situation. She is also the CEO of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland, where she organizes events, hosts webinars and is responsible for operational and financial issues.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world, success is often attributed to intelligence, skills, and resources. Many people like to emphasize the number of smart books they have read or the numerous educational measures they have undertaken throughout their lives. Both are highly commendable and speak to their curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning and betterment. However, one of the most critical yet often overlooked factors in achieving personal and professional success is the right mindset. The way we think, perceive challenges, and respond to setbacks plays a fundamental role in determining our outcomes. Cultivating the right mindset is crucial before embarking on any challenge or career change, as it lays the foundation for resilience, growth, and long-term achievement.
But what is the right mindset? Vision? Focus? Willpower? Assertiveness? A mixture of these and more? Are we born with it, or can we learn and train it along the way? If no one ever tells us what the right mindset is or shows us how to make good use of it, where does our motivation for achievement come from? Is mindset an emotion, an energy, or a conscious choice that we can switch on and off in our brain? What is your opinion and experience?
Research has shown that mindset is fundamental in determining life's outcomes. As children, most of us probably picked up the beliefs that our parents or grandparents grew up with and transmitted to us. These beliefs form a firm part of our early education and are deeply ingrained in the mind. We further shape our behavior and opinions by absorbing the different influences within our particular social and economic environment. By the time we become adults, these beliefs determine our attitude toward work, career, society, and money, to name just a few.
When I talk to friends or colleagues in German-speaking countries or Southern Europe, we often reflect on similar inherited beliefs from our childhood that we struggle to overcome. Some may sound very familiar to you, too.
Examples that frequently come up include
“No pain, no gain!”
It’s not surprising that our ancestors, who lived through wars and hardship, were convinced that only diligence and hard work lead to prosperity. They struggled to secure the first two levels of Maslow’s pyramid: physiological and safety needs. However, simply working hard all day long does not guarantee reaching the desired outcome. Today, we have all five levels of Maslow’s pyramid in sight and countless opportunities to develop our talents and personalities, make broader plans, and envision a variety of possibilities for our lives. Being diligent simply doesn’t cut it; you must offer more than just hard work. For that, our mind needs to learn to think outside the box!
“You have to be content with small things!”
Modesty is a virtue praised throughout all religions and cultures. Unfortunately, it can also be misunderstood as a lack of ambition. While, in a traditional Christian environment, ambition was admired and tolerated in men, women and girls, on the other hand, were expected to display modesty and contentment, not ambition.
For those, women and men, who want to be successful in business or any kind of creative occupation today, such modesty is a real killer. If we don’t allow ourselves to want something bigger and better, visualize our dreams, and pursue the goals that bring us closer to them, we should not be surprised if we never achieve anything worth mentioning. No pride or joy comes from that!
Bye-bye then to the upper two levels of Maslow’s pyramid, esteem and self-fulfillment needs.
“You must not attract attention!”
In my case, as a native of another country, I was made to believe that it was preferable to behave as inconspicuously as possible. While my upbringing seemingly encouraged me to develop my own opinion, it was understood that I would respectfully hold it back, especially when it differed from the opinion of someone older or more powerful.
My school education consisted of classical teaching; asking a question was usually risky unless I didn’t mind receiving a snarky answer from one of my teachers. Debate was neither encouraged nor part of the curriculum.
All this is the exact opposite of what is needed to be successful in today’s diverse world. We should be visible, vocal, and self-aware regardless of our origins or appearance. We must develop our USP, ask a ton of questions, actively seek constructive feedback from others, position ourselves clearly against competitors, and take advantage of all the digital tools at our disposal to refine our profile and stand out from the crowd!
“There are more important things than money!”
This meant that I should cultivate my inner values rather than dream about material things. Showing that one has money, more money than others, was considered inappropriate, almost indecent. Letting others know that one couldn’t afford something expensive was seen as something to be ashamed of.
Therefore, money was a difficult subject. Talking about other people’s money could suggest envy. Talking about one’s own money could be interpreted as boasting. These were not considered good Christian virtues.
Lending money to others meant helping them in a distressing situation and was seen as an act of generosity. Borrowing money, on the other hand, could raise all kinds of questions about why one didn’t have enough in the first place. It was expected that we would be able to make ends meet.
Nowadays, when we all have mortgages, company loans, credit cards, leasing contracts, etc., that old-fashioned mindset would not hold up for a minute. Success is tightly associated with money, which we all aspire to. Openly demonstrating that we have money is no longer shameful. It allows us to invest, build, multiply, spend, enjoy, donate, and inspire others.
Lo and behold, money led to the creation of a whole set of new values and put us at the top of Maslow’s pyramid!
So, depending on what we want to achieve in life, our initial mindset and beliefs may no longer be effective or supportive. The main reason is that beliefs are static. At some point, they become insufficient and unproductive. In other words, they have an expiration date in our world, where change is constant and business opportunities are omnipresent.
Your mindset is like a muscle; it needs to move to remain flexible.
Before pursuing a new goal or career change, it is essential to assess your mindset. Our beliefs and attitudes shape our actions, and without the proper mental framework, even the most ambitious plans can falter.
A negative or fixed mindset can lead to self-doubt, fear of failure, and reluctance to take risks. When we focus on limitations rather than possibilities, we often fail to unlock our full potential. Conversely, a positive and growth-oriented mindset enables us to embrace challenges as opportunities for learning rather than as insurmountable obstacles. The right mindset helps maintain motivation, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, all of which are crucial in navigating professional and personal transitions successfully.
Recent insights in quantum physics suggest that there is no limit to our potential. Being able to shift from obsolete beliefs that hold us back to a new mindset, therefore, opens the door to an ocean of unexpected possibilities.
Methods to shift from a negative to a positive mindset
Here are some proven methods to shift from a negative to a positive mindset:
1. Self-awareness and thought monitoring
Developing the right mindset is not an overnight process; it requires conscious effort and practice. One of the first steps in changing a mindset is becoming aware of negative thought patterns. When we recognize limiting beliefs and replace them with empowering thoughts, it can make a significant difference in our overall perspective.
2. Practicing gratitude in our mental wellness oasis
Gratitude has been shown to increase positive emotions and overall well-being. We can practice gratitude in a variety of ways. It is preferable to choose a quiet environment. Enjoying nature, listening to calm music, or engaging in an activity that makes us feel good, such as walking, painting, singing, dancing, or yoga, makes it easier to recognize what we can be grateful for. Keeping a gratitude journal and regularly reflecting on positive aspects of our lives can help shift our focus from negativity to appreciation.
3. Visualization and affirmations
Visualization techniques involve mentally picturing success and positive outcomes in the future. If we imagine ourselves not at the start of our journey but at the moment we reach our goal, it fosters a mental space where growth can happen. Affirmations, or positive self-statements, reinforce a growth mindset by replacing self-doubt with confidence.
4. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences
The people we interact with greatly impact our mindset. Surrounding ourselves with supportive, growth-oriented individuals encourages positivity and resilience. This also means we must be open to feedback. Constructive criticism from those we trust and admire is one of the strongest tools for improvement. People with the right mindset use feedback as a precious gift to refine their skills and strategies.
5. Developing a growth mindset
A person with a strong mindset focuses on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. They maintain a sense of optimism even in difficult situations. Adopting a growth mindset means believing that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning and that they serve to overcome challenges. This perspective cultivates a love for continuous improvement and prevents stagnation.
6. Mindfulness and stress management against failure
Failure is an inevitable part of any endeavor, but the right mindset allows us to see failure as a learning experience rather than a permanent defeat and to remain committed and motivated. That way, we can pick ourselves up, try again, or move on. Mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and stress management techniques help maintain clarity, sharpen focus, reduce anxiety, and nurture inner balance, where the heart, head, and hand function as one.
7. Taking action and embracing change
The right mindset sets the stage for a sense of purpose to emerge and self-motivation to unfold. This means we remain committed to our goals despite external setbacks or changes. Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, we are determined to take small steps toward our goals, gradually building confidence and stimulating a proactive attitude. Each courageous step forward reinforces our positive mindset.
Conclusion
A negative or fixed mindset can lead to self-doubt, fear of failure, and reluctance to take risks. When we focus on limitations rather than possibilities, we often fail to unlock our full potential. Conversely, a positive and growth-oriented mindset enables us to embrace challenges as opportunities for learning rather than as insurmountable obstacles. The right mindset helps in handling setbacks and maintaining motivation, perseverance, and adaptability, all of which are crucial for successfully navigating professional and personal transitions. Through conscious effort and the application of effective mindset-shifting techniques, anyone can transform their outlook and pave the way for long-term achievements.
Tatjana Gaspar, Coach, Consultant & Author
Tatjana Gaspar is a certified systemic coach and online trainer who uses methods that focus on the clients’ individual goals, thus aiming at improving their business or life situation. She is also the CEO of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland, where she organizes events, hosts webinars and is responsible for operational and financial issues. Before coaching, she spent 20 years in international wealth management and leadership positions with different banks in Zurich. Initially, Tatjana obtained a degree in hispanic and russian literature and history from the University of Geneva. She is a firm believer in life-long learning and fluent in seven languages.
