Do you have an LNC mindset that encourages success? You need this trait if you want to become a thriving entrepreneur.
I read a book by Psychologist Carol Dweck, called Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: How We Can Learn to Fulfill our Potential. Dr. Dweck argues that people can be divided into two groups: the fixed mindset and the growth mindset. The mindset folks accept governs their success.
The good news is that, even if you don’t have a solid success-oriented mindset, you can develop one. To have one, though, you must let go of old ways of thinking and doing things.
You may have to push your boundaries and fears like never before. Marketing and growing your business involves taking on challenges.
LNCs only get paid when they accept opportunities, involve themselves in innovation, and create value for their clients.
You must not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by external circumstances. In these weird post-pandemic times, many LNCs are enjoying success. Take heart, and you can do it. It’s in you.
Developing your entrepreneurial mindset takes learning to think and act in a new way.
Below, I briefly describe some important questions about your mindset. In “Your Turn,” you can answer them.
The LNC Mindset for Success
Who Are You? Who Do You Want to Be?
It all starts with being honest with yourself about who you are now. A great way to get to know yourself is to take a personality test. When you take it, whether it’s this one at 16 Personalities or another one, it will help you.
You may think, “I know who I am much better than whoever designed an impersonal test.” You do. By answering these questions based on what you know about yourself, you provide data that is analyzed according to the test’s metrics.
It will then categorize the kind of person you are. In other words, you provide information regarding what you know about yourself to learn more about yourself.
The key to taking these tests and getting helpful answers is to be completely honest. There is no right or wrong answer, only answers that will give you a clear picture of who you are and where you can improve.
What are your values?
You can determine your values by how you act when confronted with a problem or decision that you have to overcome or make. At these times your real values emerge, not just those you believe.
Look back on your own choices and determine your real values. Knowing you are a nurse, I believe your values include wanting to help people, practicing with integrity, and living the life you want. If you have made mistakes and gone against your core values, identify those times, and determine how to make a different choice.
What are your skills?
Even if you’re not currently an LNC, you already have skills that you can put to use as an entrepreneur. Make a list of what you do today. These are the skills that you have that should be the basis of your entrepreneurial venture.
What are your strengths?
You’ve heard you need to leverage your strengths, but how do you even know what they are? Using the self-assessment mentioned above, you can discover your strengths.
When you know them, be honest, so your results come out realistically. Take off your rose-colored glasses so that you can determine your real strengths.
Try asking five of your closest friends to tell you the truth about what your strengths are, and if more than three of them say the same thing, believe them.
What are your weaknesses?
Leverage your strengths before answering this question. This process will give you the confidence to determine your weaknesses objectively. When you discover them, don’t judge yourself for them. Accept them. If you know that you’re always five minutes late, accept it. Instead, focus on something positive. That doesn’t mean you don’t work on this habit, but don’t focus on it instead of your strengths.
True balance and power means knowing who you are, the good and the bad. This awareness allows you to be brutally honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Without such honesty, you can’t move forward. You don’t have to tell others; tell yourself.
I changed my thinking about weaknesses after I heard internet marketer Fred Gleeck speak in 2008 when I joined the National Speakers Association. He said, “I’m really good at just three things. I outsource the rest.” Until then, I accepted that I should always focus on fixing my weaknesses. I appreciated his candor.
Your Turn
- Who are you?
- Who do you want to be?
- What are your values?
- What are your skills?
- Your strengths?
- Your weaknesses?
Write about each of these topics. Be hcandid. I’ve noticed that some people have no trouble being honest about their weaknesses. However, when it comes to their skills and strengths, they may discover a sudden modesty. They worry that saying, “I’m good at this” equals bragging.
Recognize the huge difference between saying, “I’m good at this” and “I’m better than anyone else.” You can also see it this way: If you fall out of a boat in the middle of a lake, this is not the time to say, “I’m not a good swimmer.” You want to say, “I can swim well enough to get to the shore.”
The entrepreneurial voyage may sometimes feel like navigating dangerous waters. Acknowledging your strengths will keep you afloat and get you to the shore.
Learn how to set up your LNC business for success in my books “Be the Boss of Your Own Business: Tips for Success.”
Click here to grab your copy today.
Pat Iyer is president of The Pat Iyer Group, which develops resources to assist LNCs in obtaining more clients, making more money, and achieving their business goals and dreams.
Pat’s related websites include the continuing education provided on LNCEU.com, the podcasts broadcast at podcast.legalnursebusiness.com, and writing tips supplied at patiyer.com.
Get all of Pat’s content in one place by downloading the mobile app, Expert Edu at www.legalnursebusiness.com/expertedu. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, read blogs, watch online courses and training, and more.