The Speaker's Choice

There are a lot of theories about about what mindset is, whether it can be changed, and if so, how.  We addressed the definition of mindset in our August 20th communication briefing entitled, "The 'Secret Sauce' of Successful Speaking." Today in our last Mindset briefing, we will deal with how to change your mindset without the pitfalls.  

1.     You can change your mindset.
If you think your mindset is fixed and can't be changed, you have just fallen into pitfall #1.  Regardless of the mindset you are thinking of or how you developed it, you first must be open to the idea that mindset is malleable.  It can shift, you can change it.  The idea of your mindset being fixed is just a belief.  Guess what? The idea of your mindset shifting or changing is also a belief.  It really boils down to what you think is possible.  If you think it is possible, then it is.  If you think is it impossible then it is.  If you think you were "just born that way," try deliberately choosing a different thought.  You have the power to determine how it will go.    


2.   Don't let your thoughts stagnate:  Shift your mindset through action.
If you wait, you fall into pitfall #2. Theodore Levitt said, "Creativity thinks up new things. Innovation does new things."  Mindset requires innovation quickly.  Do not wait for the right opportunity.  Do it now!  Quickly give your new thought patterns actions to match.  Take advantage of actions as a vehicle for mindset success.

3.  Remember: Our strongest beliefs are built on thoughts of possibility, followed with data and information.
If you want to shift your mindset to one of an excellent professional communicator, you have to give yourself evidence to believe your spoken communication skills are strong.  This is done by practicing your spoken communication skills.  When people participate in our Communicating Credibility™ workshops, we put the tools in their hands to exercise their new skills after the workshop.  The Speaker's Choice™ is upfront with participants:  You must make use of what you learned in Communicating Credibility™ in order for the skills to take root.  You will only believe your skills are strong if you can recall times when you have produced new successes.  As you gather evidence of your successes, your mindset will follow.  Feed your mindset with plenty of practice.

Follow these three tips, and your mindset will naturally steer around the potholes that commonly trip people up.