Believe and achieve: the connection between our beliefs and business success
As business owners, we're constantly making decisions and taking action based on what we believe to be true about ourselves and our industry. But most of us have never stopped to consider how our assumptions and points of view are shaping our business and our life.
Our worldview is heavily influenced by the beliefs we hold
Our beliefs shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and can impact the way we make decisions and approach challenges in our business.
Beliefs influence how we view the world around us and shape our choices and actions. But where do these originate? Many of them are based on a range of mental processes that fall under our radar. Assumptions, conclusions, projections, and expectations can slip through our cognitive filters without us realizing their effects.
For example, if we believe that success is only achieved through ruthless competition, we may approach business dealings in a more cutthroat manner. On the other hand, if we believe in collaboration and building strong relationships, we may focus on networking and forming partnerships to grow our business.
Sometimes we don't really think twice about the assumptions we make — we simply take them from experiences or stereotypes we've heard before. But are these assumptions actually true? Do we actually have the whole story? It's possible that our assumptions are not correct.
With our rush to reach conclusions, it's possible that some of the assumptions we make could be leaving something out. The preconceived ideas in our minds could lead us astray and cause us to miss major points. We may not always take the time to consider all angles before taking an opinion as fact. Even a few moments dedicated to reexamining our assumptions can create more room for understanding and improve the accuracy of our beliefs.
The good news is that we have the power to shape our beliefs and, in turn, our worldview
By examining the beliefs we hold, we can identify those that may be limiting our success and work to change them. The first step is to become aware of the beliefs that may be holding us back. These may be beliefs about ourselves, our abilities, or the world around us. For example, we may believe that we're not smart enough to achieve our dreams or that the world is a dangerous and unpredictable place.
Once we've identified our limiting beliefs and the assumptions we hold, challenge them. Ask - whether they are actually true, and whether there is evidence to support them. Consider alternative perspectives and look for evidence that contradicts our assumptions.
Our assumptions are like filters through which we view the world around us. They are mental shortcuts that help us make sense of complex information by relying on our past experiences, beliefs, and values. However, when we rely too heavily on our assumptions, they can limit our awareness and prevent us from seeing new information or perspectives.
For example, if we assume that our product or service will always be in high demand, we may overlook changes in customer preferences or external factors that could impact demand. This can result in overproduction, excess inventory, and decreased profitability.
Similarly, if we assume that our competitors are only other businesses in the same industry, we may overlook potential disruptors or new entrants that could pose a threat to our business model. This can limit our awareness of emerging trends and technologies that could impact our industry and result in missed opportunities.
Regularly question our assumptions and gather diverse perspectives
Sometimes we get so used to the same perspective that we close ourselves off from even better choices. We become so accustomed to the same conclusion that it's hard to even consider a change. It's easy to fall into certain thought patterns and not even realize how this can limit us from all other options.
We often convince ourselves that our current circumstance is all we have, but there could be so much more available. There may be better choices out there that could take us down new paths and open up meaningful opportunities if only we'd just take a chance, question our assumptions and look into them further.
For example, many business owners adopt conventional business strategies because they believe a successful business is a zero-sum game. The zero-sum game is a concept from game theory that suggests that in any situation, one person's gain is another person's loss. In other words, the total gains of all participants in the game sum to zero. This means that any gain made by one player must be offset by an equivalent loss to another player.
When we view business as a zero-sum game, we are essentially operating under the assumption that for one person to win, another must lose. This can lead to a "me versus you" mentality where our only focus is on beating the competition, rather than on creating value for customers and stakeholders.
However, in reality, the success of one business or individual does not necessarily mean the failure of another. For example, two businesses in the same industry can both thrive by offering unique products or services that appeal to different segments of the market. Collaboration and cooperation can also lead to positive outcomes for all parties involved.
The problem with assuming that every situation is a zero-sum game is that it can limit our ability to think creatively and find solutions that benefit everyone involved. It can also lead to a "win-lose" mentality where people focus solely on beating their competition, rather than on creating value for customers or collaborating to find mutually beneficial solutions.
Additionally, viewing business as a zero-sum game can lead to unethical behavior, such as price-fixing or market manipulation, as businesses seek to gain an advantage over their competitors. This can ultimately harm consumers and the overall economy.
Breaking free from assumptions
Breaking free from the assumption that business is a zero-sum game can be challenging, but it's essential if we want to unlock our full potential and seize new opportunities.
To break free from this mindset, embrace innovation and look for ways to disrupt the industry. Seek out new technologies, explore new markets, and challenge conventional wisdom to find new ways to grow and succeed.
There is so much more available!
When we view business as a zero-sum game, we inadvertently blind ourselves to the multitude of opportunities that surround us. In this mindset, we ultimately fail to realize the plethora of opportunities that lurks beneath the surface. We so strenuously concentrate on succeeding and forcing rivals to lose, that we shut ourselves away from our own possibilities for progress and change.
It's as if we're wearing a pair of glasses that only allow us to see the doom and gloom of the business world. These glasses block out any glimmer of hope or positivity, making it difficult to think creatively and seize new opportunities.
But what if we were to take off these glasses and change our perspective? What if we were to approach business with an open mind and a willingness to explore new possibilities? Suddenly, the doom and gloom dissipate, and we start to see the world in a new light.
We begin to notice the countless opportunities for growth and success that were always there, waiting for us to uncover them. We start to think creatively, generating fresh ideas and innovative solutions that challenge the status quo and pave the way for a brighter future.
Regularly question our assumptions
To avoid the negative effects of assumptions, it's important for us to regularly question our assumptions and gather diverse perspectives to expand our awareness and understanding of our industry, customers, competitors, employees, and the market.
Here are some questions we can ask ourselves:
What assumptions am I making in this situation? Are these assumptions based on fact or opinion?
How do these assumptions affect my thinking and decision-making?
Are there any alternative perspectives or viewpoints that I haven't considered?
What biases or preconceptions might be influencing my assumptions?
How might my assumptions be limiting my creativity or problem-solving abilities?
To broaden our perspective, seek out diverse perspectives and opinions. Talk to people from different backgrounds and industries, read articles and books from different viewpoints, and attend events where we can interact with people from a variety of backgrounds.
When we put aside what we think to be true, a universe of unbounded possibility awaits! We unlock diverse choices and unlimited possibilities, giving us space to explore novel perspectives and the chance to create something truly remarkable.
We can transition our narrow mindsets into unbelievably liberating realities. That's why seeking out diverse perspectives from a variety of different sources is such an important practice - it allows us to explore our ideas as well as make room for new information. Adopt a curious mindset and great opportunities for learning will open up right in front of us! In short, when we shed our assumptions, we open ourselves up to a world of untapped potential, where anything is possible.
In closing
We experience our reality through whatever assumptions and perception filters we have adopted; this ultimately impacts how we judge the world around us. These tendencies can really shape how we experience reality, how we make sense of what's going on around us — even how we judge others.
Knowing this can be pretty empowering; when we realize this it's like we suddenly have the capacity to challenge all those mental roadblocks and lasting restrictions in our lives. But if these filters go unchecked, by not questioning where they come from and what they mean, then those limitations only become harder and more difficult to overcome.
