It’s been said that success in any endeavor, whether it’s personal or professional, starts in a person’s mind. If a person has the proper mindset, then it can give them a mental edge when it comes to reaching their career goals.

There are many important things that are dictated by the way in which people think. They include confidence and self-esteem, among others. When people have more confidence in themselves and they have more self-esteem, they typically enjoy more success.

However, it doesn’t stop there. There are other aspects of success that originate in a person’s mind. How you think about a situation and approach it has a significant impact on your ability to navigate it to your satisfaction.

With that in mind (pun intended?), below are three ways to give yourself a mental edge in your career:

#1—Have a “growth mindset” and not a “fixed mindset.”

What’s the difference between the two? People with a growth mindset are always looking for reasons why something can be done, while those with a fixed mindset look for reasons why something can’t be done.

It might not surprise you to know that people with a growth mindset are better able to find solutions to problems. It might also not surprise you that organizations want to hire candidates who are problem solvers.

#2—Do not allow fear to influence your decisions.

It’s normal to be apprehensive about your career and the direction that it may (or may not) be going. However, when you make decisions based on fear, you’re more likely to be reactive instead of proactive. This is similar to the difference between the growth mindset and the fixed mindset.

Multiple studies have shown that at the end of their life, people usually do not regret the things that they did in their life. Instead, they regret the things that they did not do.

#3—Be open to opportunity (hearing about it, considering it, exploring it).

One way to have a growth mindset and to not allow fear to influence you is to be open to opportunity. There are actually three parts to this.

First, be open to hearing about the opportunity. Then be open to considering it. And finally, be open to exploring it. And yes, that would entail entering the hiring process of another organization.

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Get your head in the game” before. While that typically refers to a game or sporting event, it can also apply to your career and it could hold the key to experiencing more professional success.

The Doepker Group has experience placing professionals in the Information Technology and Engineering fields, and we can place YOU, as well.