How Accountants Can Develop Growth Mindset?
If you shudder at the thought of handling new systems, executing new processes, and accepting change, then you are failing to move towards career success.
As an accountant, it is obvious for you to observe market changes quite frequently. One year, you are looking after one accounting policy, and the next year, it all goes down the drain. Then, you are expected to start again and learn new rules and regulations.
When the environment itself demands you to develop a growth mindset, how is it possible to walk away from changing market verticals?
This article will discuss 6 important factors that can help you lead from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Let’s dive in and see how that is possible.
What’s The Difference Between The Growth and Fixed Mindset?
Think of your mindset as a spectrum with two open ends. One end of this mindset is the growth mindset, something which we are trying to achieve here. The other end of this mindset is the fixed mindset, something which we are trying to overcome.
So, it is clear that if you are not in your growth mindset, you are in a fixed mindset. Here’s the difference between both:
If you have a fixed mindset, then you believe that your intelligence and abilities are qualities you are born with. It means that you think that you can always catch up with new things without making efforts. Needless to say, this mindset is an obstructed view, which brings consistent failure in the long run.
If you have a growth mindset, then you believe that your intelligence and abilities are a result of your efforts and learning. This means that you think you can learn more and become better and smarter. This mindset is a broader view, which brings opportunities even after failure.
Accountants should move towards the positive end of the spectrum to learn and improve. However, if you are not there yet, don’t worry.
You can change your mindset and adopt growth-based thinking. For that, you need to first understand the following two things:
- Nobody is born with any mindset. You develop it throughout your life with experiences. It especially includes the mindset of your role models. For instance, the messages that you receive from your elders during childhood.
- No person can have complete growth or a fixed mindset. This is not an either-or situation. This means every person has both traits. You need to see on which side you fall harder. If it is a fixed mindset, then you need to start working on it.
How Can Accountants Develop Growth Mindset?
The major difference between failure and success is how we take our decisions — it is the mindset. Since it is possible to develop a positive mindset, a growth mindset, we have discussed a few tips below. Read on and change your mind spectrum.
1. Learn
Always try to learn and improve your knowledge. However, always seek out reliable and trusted sources. As an accountant, you may already be following some publications and blogs for updates and regulation changes. Dig deeper and use these publications for improved knowledge.
- Attend conferences
- Attend seminars
- Join online discussions
- Join communities
But, try to pick a few best sources to avoid confusing yourself.
2. Pick a Role Model
We have already discussed how influences from your role models change your mindset or help you define it in the first place.
If these roles models have helped you fall on the fixed side, find new role models. That’s the harsh reality.
But, we know success isn’t a piece of cake.
Interact and connect with leaders and entrepreneur accountants who have a growth mindset and who are willing to help you adapt to it.
3. Challenge
One of the most difficult tasks that you may have to achieve here is to challenge your pre-mindset — at least in a few places.
This is because everybody has a belief system, and you can’t shatter this system in a second.
We need to consistently challenge ourselves to break these self-limiting boundaries or beliefs.
So, challenge yourself to believe otherwise. You can either read a book on changing your mindset or read instances on the internet of the same to help you challenge your belief system.
4. Set Goals
Always have goals in your mind. It is highly likely for a fixed mindset individual to either not make goals at all or make goals that are not achievable.
You need to steer clear of both.
Make goals but achievable goals.
For example, if you have just started as an accountant, your goal should be to get one client in the next two months. Similarly, define what you want to achieve in the next year, in 5 years, etc.
Having a clear picture in mind sometimes only reminds you where you are lacking. When you see yourself falling behind, go back to the previous step, and start again.
5. Embrace Failures
Every person who has a growth mindset understands that failure is absolutely important to gain opportunities and receive success.
If you will never receive failure, you would never understand how you can overcome challenges in the future.
So, even when you fail in your goals, make a backup plan, and do some damage control. If you cannot get one client even in 2 months, research harder, attend more events, and stay active in more communities.
6. Inspire
Accounting failures can be as simple as losing a client or as difficult as making a grave mistake. Something that you may averse from sharing.
But, sharing your story with others and inspiring them to achieve even little success can help you.
Accepting your journey and mistakes is a major part of the growth mindset.
Conclusion
If you wish to innovate and progress, a growth mindset is unavoidable. However, it is necessary to understand this growth mindset. As discussed above, it is just the first step of a bigger journey. Improving your mindset can’t offer you assured success.
It can only offer you an assured pathway to success. The thing which can help you get success is future-ready thinking and transformation. Hence, use the above tips to walk towards your end-goal.
