Ready to master your mindset and grow your creative business? In this article and video, you’ll learn about four tools that will help you make radical mindset shifts that set you on course for up-leveling your business and improving your life. Best of all, you can get these four resources for free, which is ironic because I consider them to be the most valuable tools I have in my possession.
I have no doubt that you are overloaded with articles and videos like this one, filled with advice on how to grow your creative business. There are unlimited resources at our fingertips in the form of tools, courses, or software we can purchase to make our lives easier and to scale our business more quickly.
But without the right mindset, none of these things are going to work for you. At least not in the big ways that we want them to. That’s why so many of us keep buying these tools and signing up for these courses thinking that it’s going to be the answer that we’re looking for.
What we forget is that we are the ones who need to put those resources into action, and when we don’t believe in ourselves or believe that anyone will ever want to buy something from us or listen to what we have to say, those tools and those courses will never work.
Before I go any further, I want to address “mindset” as a subject and recognize that it can be off-putting because frankly, it sounds a little out there.
If you’re like me, you hear a word like “mindset” and it goes in one ear and out the other. I like things with clear directions and tangible evidence that it’s going to work. Without having an understanding of “mindset” it sounds like some made up thing. And that the people who believe in it are delusional.
That was me. Those were my thoughts on mindset. And then I read a book that made me a believer and I know this is going to sound dramatic, but it changed my life.
MINDSET TOOL 1 – You are a Badass, by Jen Sincero
The title of this book doesn’t do a great job of summing up its contents. It’s not a “you’ve got this” kinda books. The subhead does a much better job of breaking it down: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
This book gives you a clear understanding of why we act the way we do, and how to redefine ourselves based on the people we desire to be. When I read this, everything made sense. Everyone who I’ve recommended it to has agreed.
I listened to the audio version of You are a Badass, which is read by the author herself. And I’m convinced that hearing her read the words in her voice made it easier for me to understand. Jen is a completely down to earth person, who breaks down all the “woo-woo-ness” of “mindset,” makes fun of how ridiculous it may sound at times. She uses language that is extremely relatable and tells lots of hilarious stories throughout the book.
Everyone I know who has read You are a Badass, immediately went back to read or listen to it a second time. Because what you learn is so powerful, you want to harness it and make sure that you never let go of your new mindset.
You can get a copy of You are a Badass from your local library, or sign up for a free trial of Audible.com, where I read/listen to a majority of my books. With that free trial, you get a free book. Hint hint, get this one.
MINDSET TOOL 2 – The Headspace App
My thoughts on meditation were in alignment with my thoughts on mindset. It wasn’t really a measurable tool, therefore, how would I know that it’s working? Also, I tried meditation a few years ago, and I could never get my brain to turn off.
After reading You are a Badass and hearing about the positive experiences that the author had with meditation, I decided to give it another try.
I downloaded an app called Headspace that had an entire catalog of guided meditation practices for tons of different situations, like “falling asleep,” “gaining confidence,” or “learning how to prioritize.”
After meditating regularly for the last six months, I can tell you that my brain still doesn’t shut off. But that doesn’t mean that the practice of meditation isn’t working. Instead, I came to understand that I simply needed to make note of when my mind started to wander, and gently guide it back to following my breath. Even if this means doing that repeatedly.
I meditate for ten minutes every morning on most days and it has helped me greatly with concentration and focus on my work and life tasks.
The Headspace App has a freebie pack of ten mediation sessions that you can use to make sure you enjoy it. Otherwise, I encourage you to look for other ways to quiet your mind for a short period of time, every day, whether it be through a different meditation app or yoga, or just sitting in silence.
MINDSET TOOL 3 – Mastermind Group(s)
If we are friends on Instagram, it’s likely that you’ve heard me mention my Mastermind Groups before. Because I’m obsessed with them.
A Mastermind Group is made up of several people who meet regularly to talk about their business challenges and who encourage one another to grow.
I started my first Mastermind Group in 2013 with two fellow bloggers, Lauren Lanker from The Thinking Closet and Kalyn Brooke from KalynBrooke.com. With the support and fellowship of these friends, my business and life have improved greatly.
At the end of 2017, I joined a second Mastermind Group— one that was completely different from the one I started with Lauren and Kalyn. This group was made up of strangers— now friends— and led by Cliff Ravenscraft, who acts as our mentor and coach.
The people in both of my Mastermind Groups are like-minded and on the same mission as I am: to be continually learning and growing so that we can best serve other people. Our meetings are the reminders that I need to not only stay mindful but to stay focused.
Mindfulness is like physical exercise. We can get by with skipping the gym for a day or two here and there, but ultimately, we need to keep at it if we expect to see results. A Mastermind group (or any support group) is a fantastic way to stay accountable.
MINDSET TOOL 4 – The Mind Your Business Podcast with James Wedmore
Listening to this weekly podcast is another way that I am reminded to practice mindfulness. There are other great mindset podcasts out there, but this one hits it out of the park for me.
James, the host of the show, strikes the perfect balance between the no-nonsense business advice that we all need to hear, and the big picture, (woo-woo) personal thoughts and habits that we need to execute in order for those business tactics to work.
Like Jen Sincero, the author of You are a Badass, I look to James as an unofficial mentor who challenges me every time I listen to his content. Whether it’s The Mind Your Business Podcast, or another podcast or blog that you regularly consume, I encourage to find something that will remind you to stay in check.
This podcast, like most podcasts (including mine), are free to listen to and are packed with enormous value, so take advantage.
Whether you decide to use all or just one of these four tools we talked about in this video, I know that making a commitment to change your mindset will change your life.
If this article or video sparked something inside of you, or if you have a friend or family member who could benefit from these four tools, please consider sharing with them.
If you decide to try out any of these mindset tools, please leave me a message below or on YouTube, letting me know how it’s making an impact on you, and your creative business. I cannot wait to read your read your stories of transformation.
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