How to Overcome Your Obstacles

A new year is here and with it comes a renewed sense of hope and drive for many of us as we begin a fresh start on our goals. Last year may have had setbacks and challenges, you may not have accomplished all you set out to do. This year can be different, but in order to accomplish the goals that you have set, you must have the right mindset. 

There are several different traits that I consider critical components of a winning mindset, and each of them work together to create long-term success. There is one that stands out to me as a foundational shift in your thinking that is prerequisite for success—ownership.  

This past year was difficult for many and included numerous obstacles that were outside of your control. You might be feeling tired or disempowered. But what if I told you that could change?. 

If you want to find success in the new year, I challenge you to view this as a chance to reframe the current circumstances and consider how you can change your life for the better. 

I want to tell you this will be the only crisis you face. But the fact is it probably isn’t. Life always seems to throw curveballs. 

An ownership mindset is one that the most successful CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders I know have. Once people with an ownership mindset are aware of a problem—whether it technically falls under their responsibility or not—they use their resources to solve it. 

This type of mindset is empowering, and from what I have seen it is contagious as well. Someone who possesses a true mindset of ownership will inspire those around them to do the same. And what happens then, you have a company full of people who are willing to lean in and fix any problem. 

So how can you shift your mindset to embrace ownership?  

Here are three practical tips that you can use to begin practicing the ownership mindset. 

1. Focus on what you can do. When you hear of a problem that feels outside of your control and causes you to feel doubt, stop and make a list of what you can do to help. Chances are it’s more than you first thought. Take ownership of brainstorming solutions. Take ownership of your attitude. Take ownership of how you can help those around you do the same. 
2. Don’t pass the buck. I get it. That mess isn’t your responsibility or that unhappy customer should be talking to someone else. Instead of thinking to yourself, that’s not my job, practice thinking “I now know about it, I’m going to fix it.” See the solution all the way through and take responsibility. 
3. Don’t micromanage. Sometimes, people might take this too far and begin to micromanage those around them. When we talk about a mindset of ownership that’s really not what should happen. Instead, this attitude towards problems should inspire your coworkers or team to do the same. It’s a feeling of empowerment that you are able to share with others because you believe that they can learn this mindset as well. 

So this year, I challenge you to look at any adversity or obstacle that comes your way and ask “What does this problem now make possible?” This shift in thinking will set you up to accomplish your most challenging goals yet.