Mindset: This is How You Do It! How? Is it that easy?
In this blog, I will discuss the leader’s mindset. How do you create a mindset that belongs to a “Golden Leader?”
As you already know, a supportive mindset helps you immensely in achieving your success, in any area.
Recently, I attended a training by Wim Hof, the Iceman. He defines mindset as controlling the chemistry in your body. This means that you can control yourself primarily. How? Among other things, through breathing exercises. I experienced it, as I was later sitting in a bath with ice cubes.
It is very similar to the introductory trainings of Anthony Robbins, where, after proper preparation, you walk across a path of hot coals. My head still says, “that can’t be possible.” Yet, I experienced it twice. And cycling up the Alpe d’Huez four times in one day? I did it, it is possible.
What’s the fun in this?
These examples show us that with a strong mind, we can achieve a lot. And you know that our mind often limits our possibilities too. You’ve also heard that our beliefs are often entrenched conditionings, right?
For years, I have been applying powerful mindset techniques with my clients – many business leaders and entrepreneurs – derived from NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). This makes leaders go from good to great, from ‘good to great’. This brings leaders to (their) gold! Compare it to top athletes: all are excellently (technically) trained, but the right mindset creates champions!
Here are 6 basic techniques that can help strengthen your mindset, which you can apply immediately. It is important to test what works best for you. I do this in guidance programs. It’s tailored, and not everything works for everyone immediately.
Technique 1: Clean up – clean up your mess!
I can give you the best techniques, but if you don’t first work on what holds you back, it can be difficult and have little or no effect. Do you still suffer from non-supportive, limiting beliefs? Work on them. Read my blog “Negative emotions? Get rid of them!”
Technique 2: Modeling
Do you know someone who is a role model for you? Someone with a particular quality or skill? Such a person is called a “role model.” Think of your parents… usually, your parents were your first (unconscious) role models in your life. With modeling, you explore what makes someone special because “what one person can do, you can do too.” So, investigate how they look, how they move their body, how they talk, what they say, how they say it, and so forth. You can do this by observing or by asking.
Technique 3: Future Pace
Place yourself in the future and see your success. What does that success or moment look like for you? How do people around you react? What do they say? What do you say to yourself? How do you feel? Make that picture very strong and write it down. The official description is “Fake it until you make it.” Are you working towards a specific peak in your life? Also, see what it looks like afterwards and what it brings you!
Technique 4: Change your physiology
Changing your physiology (or body posture) may have the quickest effect on your mindset. Movement, a different posture can instantly change your mood. Creating and maintaining a positive mood, a positive state, is essential for your leadership. Even if you feel low on energy, this is the key.
Technique 5: The power of words
Using the right words and sentences can strongly influence your mindset and that of others. What do you say to yourself and what do you say to others? This morning, I heard an entrepreneur say, “I’m trying to sell a marketing concept”… That’s not going to work.
Eliminate words like ‘trying’, there’s really no action in them. Read more about the power of words in the article “Five tips to empower your words“.
Technique 6: Anchoring
Anchoring is a powerful NLP technique that can quickly trigger a positive mood. How?
- Think of a good feeling that you need in a certain situation.
- Remember a (powerful) moment in the past when you had that feeling.
- Close your eyes, see that situation vividly in detail and intensify the experience by:
- Making the picture sharper and bringing it closer
- Adding sounds
- Making the feeling from then stronger
- When the feeling is most intense, create a physical association by making a unique gesture (e.g., clench your fist, pull your earlobe)
- When the intense feeling diminishes, release this ‘anchor’
- Repeat it several times and test it with different examples to make the experience stronger.
I am curious about your experiences in creating a strong mindset. Want to share your experience below?
