Written by: Beth Rohani, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In today's fast-paced business environment, ideas are a dime a dozen. Some will stick; some won't. Having a good idea is not enough; you need to act on it and demonstrate its value through tangible results. This requires what I like to call "Do It & Prove It" which prioritizes actions and results.
At its core, the "Do It & Prove It" mindset is about taking action and following through with your commitments. It's about setting goals and taking concrete steps to achieve them. It's about pushing yourself outside your comfort zone and showing yourself and others what you are truly capable of.
As someone who lives and breathes this "Do It & Prove It" mentality, I can attest to the power and effectiveness of this approach when tackling both personal and professional challenges. I have found it key to tackling all aspects of life.
Steps to Adopting a Do It & Prove It™ Mindset
Take Action: The first step in adopting a "Do It & Prove It" mindset is to act. It's easy to get bogged down in the details of planning and preparation, but you must dare to put those ideas in motion to achieve your goals. Even if you don't have all of the specifics figured out, taking that first step can help you gain momentum, which builds confidence, making it easier to push forward. When executing your plan, remember to remain flexible. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is important to stay nimble and pivot when faced with unforeseen circumstances.
Embrace Failure: Failure in every part of life is inevitable, especially as an entrepreneur. Rather than letting it hold you back, embrace it as a learning opportunity. Throughout my career and personal life, I have reframed my failures as a chance to learn and grow and used them as stepping stones to success. Remember, some of the most admired and respected people in the world have stumbled and made mistakes but then have dusted themselves off and moved forward.
Collect and Listen to Feedback: A "Do It & Prove It" mindset requires collecting and listening to feedback. You can use it to gain a different perspective and refine your approach if necessary. Be open to what others have to share; you might learn something.
Set Clear and Realistic Goals: To effectively implement a "Do It & Prove It" mindset, it's essential to establish clear and realistic goals. Once you've identified your goals, break them into smaller, actionable steps so they will be manageable. When you set your goals, ensure they are specific, measurable, and reasonable. Setting too lofty goals, while ambitious, may frustrate you. When you decide what you want to achieve and by when will help you track progress and adjust along the way. Doing so will help you develop a plan and remain accountable.
Hold Yourself Accountable: Taking responsibility for your own success and mistakes is critical when adopting a "Do It & Prove It" mindset. You can't allow external factors, including people, to determine your success. Instead, hold yourself accountable for your progress. One effective way is to share your goals with others – a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor. By making your goal public and sharing it with others, you are more likely to stay motivated. This applies to both personal and professional goals.
Acknowledge Failures and Celebrate Successes: It's not a matter of if you will experience failures; it's a matter of when. When these setbacks happen, reflecting on them is critical to determine how you might improve. This is particularly true in today's startup culture because failure is often seen as a badge of honor. Equally important is celebrating your successes – even the small victories. Embracing a "Do It & Prove It" mentality can be demanding, so taking time to acknowledge your progress and celebrate milestones is essential. By doing so, you are more apt to stay motivated and energized, gaining a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction that will help you continue to push forward in achieving your goals.
Examples of the Do It & Prove It™ Approach in Action
Several examples of companies have displayed a "Do It & Prove It" mindset and achieved great success. One example is Airbnb. When co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia first launched their home-sharing platform, they faced considerable skepticism and resistance from potential investors and customers. Despite this, they persevered and acted on their idea, proving its value through tangible outcomes. Today, Airbnb is valued at more than $100 billion and has disrupted the hospitality industry in ways it was once thought possible.
Another example is Tesla. When Elon Musk first launched his electric car company, many wondered about the viability of his idea. But Musk remained committed to his vision and took action to prove it through tangible outcomes. As a result, Tesla is now one of the most valuable car companies in the world, with a loyal following of customers who appreciate the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. These two examples illustrate that adopting a "Do It & Prove It" mindset requires a willingness to take risks and embrace failures. Of course, only some ideas will succeed, and only some experiments will yield the desired results. But the willingness to take action and learn from failure can be a powerful driver of innovation and growth.
How Leaders Can Adopting a Do It & Prove It™ Mindset
One of the key benefits of a "Do It & Prove It" approach is that it encourages a culture of experimentation and innovation. When leaders prioritize execution and results, their employees feel empowered to take risks and pursue new ideas. This is particularly important in industries experiencing rapid change, where the ability and freedom to innovate are the underlying factors between success and failure.
Allowing employees to take risks and be creative can cultivate a sense of psychological safety in the workplace. Some of the best concepts surface employees feel safe to take risks and express their ideas. Promoting open communication, actively giving and receiving feedback, and encouraging collaboration and teamwork are essential.
There are several steps that leaders can take to foster a culture of innovation. The first is to encourage employees to take risks and pursue new ideas. Leaders can infuse a "Do It & Prove It" mentality across the team by providing resources, supporting experimentation, celebrating successes, and learning from failures.
Another critical factor is to create a sense of psychological safety in the workplace. When employees feel safe to take risks and express their ideas, they are more likely to be innovative and creative. Fostering open communication, actively listening to feedback, and encouraging collaboration and teamwork are important steps.
Finally, it's necessary to lead by example. Leaders who are willing to take risks and pursue new ideas inspire their employees to do the same. Share stories of success and failure and be open and transparent about the company's goals and challenges while leading with authenticity and integrity.
Adopting a "Do It & Prove It" perspective is essential for success in today's fast-paced business environment. It requires a commitment to execution, results, and continuous improvement. Leaders who embrace this mindset can create a culture of experimentation and innovation and set themselves apart from the competition. By taking risks, embracing mistakes, and demonstrating the value of their ideas through measurable outcomes, they can achieve great success and create a lasting impact.
When you implement a "Do It & Prove It" mindset, you can succeed in all areas of your life – not just work. You can reach your full potential by acting, embracing failure, setting clear goals, holding yourself accountable, and celebrating your successes. So, what are you waiting for?
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Beth Rohani, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Beth Rohani leads the 1 moving company serving the Houston Multi-Family Industry and her company is considered one of Top 3 Best Rated Moving Companies in Houston. As a first generation Iranian-American, former TV news assignments editor and CEO of a transportation and logistics based business in a male-dominated industry, Beth embraces the stereotypes while inspiring and mentoring others to build a successful business with a balance to live their best life.
