Mindset Development Tips

Lessons I have learnt so far as a woman entrepreneur We all accumulate lessons through career pivots, late nights, setbacks, and honest self-reflection. Here are principles that have shaped my journey, ones I hope every professional, especially women, will keep close in today’s world: 🔹Prioritize Financial Independence. Financial security is not only about independence, but also empowerment and options. It’s important to distinguish real security from mere comfort. True strength is having the ability to walk away when your peace or values demand it. 🔹Value What You’ve Earned. Aspiring for a high standard of living reflects your self-worth and ambition, not superficiality. Never feel apologetic for desiring a life that aligns with your hard work and dedication. 🔹Embrace New Beginnings, As Many Times As Needed. Reinvention is a sign of growth, not failure. Others may have opinions, but your journey should reflect your own aspirations, not limitations set by fear or judgment. 🔹 Care for Yourself to Sustain Others. Consistently supporting those around you requires you to be well, too. Make time for healing and self-care, strength is found in balance, not burnout. 🔹Build a Circle Based on Loyalty and Values. Relationships, whether professional or personal, are about quality, not quantity. Surround yourself with people who encourage growth, offer honest feedback, and value loyalty over simple proximity. 🔹Discipline Over Drama. Sustained success stems from consistent, intentional action—not from chaos or unpredictability. Let reliability and focus be your brand. 🔹Allow Results to Speak for Themselves. There’s no need to constantly prove yourself to skeptics. Exceptional outcomes and a strong work ethic will always reveal your potential. 🔹 Invest in Substance Over Surface. Skills, strategy, and self-respect far outlast short-term recognition. Prioritize development and preparation over mere appearances. 🔹Trust Your Own Timeline. Progress is personal and non-linear. Achievements, relationships, and healing each have their own pace. Blocking out comparison and external noise is essential to staying true to your path. What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear the principles shaping your story. #WomenEntrepreneur #LeadershipLessons #CareerGrowth #GrowthMindset

The Introvert's Survival Guide to Actually Enjoying (or at least surviving) Networking Events. I avoid networking events like they're tax audits or root canals. But sometimes you have to show up. (By have to, I mean, your business kind of depends on it.) Here's my "battle-tested" playbook for introverts who'd rather be home cleaning the litter box: Pre-Game Like an Athlete (or a Coward) • Set a timer for 47 minutes Not 45. Not an hour. 47. It's specific enough that you'll honor it. • Create your "Clark Kent Exit Strategy" Park near the exit. Know where the bathrooms are. Have a fake emergency ready. • Arrive unfashionably on-time Not early (too much small talk). Not late (everyone stares). Exactly on time when everyone's distracted. The Art of Strategic Positioning • Become furniture Find a high-top table. Claim it. Let extroverts come to you (they need a place to rest their drinks). • Master "Documentary Mode" Don't network. Observe. You're David Attenborough studying extroverts in their natural habitat. • Power Pose Like a Pro Stand near the food. Everyone comes to you. Plus, mouth full = legitimate reason not to talk. Conversation Hacks for the Socially Exhausted • The "Reverse Interview" Ask them 3 questions. They'll talk for 20 minutes. You nod. They think you're brilliant. "What are you most excited about doing this weekend?" • Deploy the "Introvert Card" "I'm actually an introvert, so this is my Olympics." Be transparently vulnerable. They laugh. Pressure's off. • The "Teaching Pivot" Turn every conversation into a mini-lesson. You're not networking, you're educating. Advanced Introvert Techniques • The "Phone Prop" Hold your phone like you're about to make a call. You look busy but approachable. Or, have a drink in your hand so they have something to do. • Find Another Introvert We can smell our own. Make eye contact with the person hiding by the plants. Form an alliance. You will both be relieved. • The "One Real Conversation" Rule Forget collecting 20 contacts. Have one meaningful conversation. Quality > quantity. The Grand Escape • The Irish Goodbye Just leave. Don't announce it. Disappear like Bruce Wayne. They'll think you're mysterious, not rude. • Leave on a High Had one good conversation? That's enough. You've won. Go home. • Recovery Protocol Schedule nothing for the next day. You've earned 24 hours of silence. Most "successful networkers" are performing too. They're just better actors. Not convinced? There's an alternative. I've built more meaningful connections through content than 1,000 networking events combined. Let people come to you through your content. Like they're doing right now. Who else is team "I'd rather create content than attend another networking mixer"? Drop a like if you've ever hidden in a bathroom stall to recharge. P.S. - My record for "shortest networking event attendance" is 3 minutes. Beat that. P.P.S. - Yes, I once brought a book to a networking event. No, I'm not sorry.

Eileen Gu just gave a masterclass in elite performance. 6 Olympic medals. 22 years old. And she trains her mindset as intentionally as she trains her body. Here's what stood out: 1. "I spend a lot of time in my head. But it's a nice place to be." -Metacognition (thinking about thinking) is a true human superpower, and can be used to fundamentally shift our emotions, actions, and results, leading to sustained peak performance. 2. "I journal a lot." -Physical handwriting is the most effective way to train your mindset, like a workout for your brain. -Studies show intentional handwriting increases clarity, reduces stress, increases self-trust, and improves performance. 3. "With neuroplasticity on my side." -Our brains have the innate capability to rewire our identity, beliefs, emotions, and behavior patterns through intentional training and repetition. -When used intentionally, you can use this to become the person you want to be. It might be the most powerful and under-appreciated skill for humans. 4. "You can control what you think, therefore you can control who you are." -Thoughts and beliefs shape and reinforce identity -You can intentionally choose what you think about who you are, what you're capable of, and what's possible. When trained consistently, creativity, motivation, and performance all rise. 5. "How cool and empowering is that?" -This is the part that's often misunderstood. Mindset training isn't for fixing problems - it's for becoming elite and living the life of your dreams. __ Top performers train their mindset as much as they train their skills. Everything she described - metacognition, journaling, neuroplasticity, identity training, and belief reappraisal - is exactly what we built ENCODED to do. Simple daily training routines for your mindset, identity, and beliefs. The best in the world already train this way. Now everyone can. #frequency #athlete #performance #training #mindset

7 Ways To Stay Motivated During A Long Job Search: 1. Set The Right Expectations Do some research to understand what you should expect, then add a buffer. For example, the average job search takes ~6 months right now. The average online application success rate is 2%. The average networking message response rate is 5-10%. Plan around these numbers. 2. Build A Job Search Routine Without a routine, it’s easy to get sucked into endlessly scrolling job boards and refreshing email. Instead, use a framework like the 5:50:5 Method: - 5 tasks - 50 minutes / day - 5 days / week That will help you stay consistent while feeling like you’ve done “enough.” 3. Make A Habit Of Reflecting On Wins We often spend most of our energy focused on what’s not working. Most roles don’t look good, most apps haven’t landed an interview, etc. Whether it’s daily or weekly, make a habit of writing down and reflecting on the wins you’ve scored – large or small. That helps keep the momentum going! 4. Lean Into What Gives You Energy If in person networking gives you energy, focus most of your time there. If virtual networking gives you energy, invest in that. If online apps feel like your strong suite, lean into that. Challenges are easier to overcome when we approach them with ways that align with our innate strengths. 5. Find A Supportive Community There are communities of job seekers and professionals all over the internet. Finding one can be one of the best things for your energy and mental health during the job search. You can’t underestimate how valuable it is to have a group of peers who get what you’re going through and who can offer advice + support. 6. Shift From “Why Is This Taking So Long?” To “What Am I Learning?” The job search is packed full of opportunities to learn new skills like: - Storytelling - Copywriting - Networking - Self Advocacy - Resilience Reflecting on the skills your building can create a silver lining. 7. Take Guilt-Free Breaks You can’t sprint a marathon. You don’t need to be job searching every minute of every day to be successful. In fact, the more you do that, the less successful you’ll actually be. So take breaks when you need them – listen to your mind and your body. If you need someone’s permission, you have mine.

Most founders burn out by Sunday night. I used to be one of them. I'd work all week, then fill my weekends with more work and by Monday morning, I felt more exhausted than I did on Friday. Here's how to plan your weekend effectively: 1. Theme What do I want to feel? Start here, not with a to-do list. Peace?  Aliveness?  Connection? Name the feeling first. Everything else follows from this. 2. Intention This weekend is about... Fill in the blank with one sentence. "This weekend is about deep rest." "This weekend is about creative exploration." "This weekend is about quality time with family." One intention. That's it. 3. Energy Reset What will recharge me the most? Not what you think you should do, what actually fills your tank. For me, it's nature, movement, and solitude. For you, it might be completely different. 4. One Domino The one thing that makes everything easier. What's the single action that would make the rest of your weekend flow? Meal prep?  A tough conversation?  Organizing your workspace? Do this first. Everything else becomes unnecessary or easier. 5. No-List What will I do not do this weekend? This is more important than your to-do list. No email.  No social media before noon.  No saying yes to obligations that drain you. Protect your weekend like you protect your bank account. 6. Adventure One New Experience. Create a story worth telling on Monday. It doesn't have to be grand. Just something that breaks the pattern. 7. Connection Who do I want deep time with? Not surface-level hangouts. Deep, quality time. Name the person. Schedule it. Protect it. 8. Creation One small act of art. Journal.  Sketch.  Cook something new.  Build something with your hands. Creation is medicine for the soul. 9. Body How will I move my body? Hike, lift, swim, stretch, your body needs movement to process the week. 10. Mind What am I reading or listening to? Feed your mind something nourishing, not just entertaining. 11. Systems Reset What do I want organized by Monday? Clean workspace.  Meal prep done.  Calendar reviewed. Set yourself up to win the week. 12. Sunday Reset Three Questions: What worked last week? What drained me last week? What is my intention this week? The difference between founders who scale and founders who burn out? They design their weekends intentionally instead of letting them happen accidentally. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to learn how to build a sustainable founder-led brand that grows even when you’re not around? Join my free live Workshop on November 18th (4 days away) to steal my homework: https://lnkd.in/e4qk8YrH 

As a professional skier, especially during the Olympics, I’ve faced immense mental pressure and stress from high expectations and social media negativity, as outlined in this recent interview with The BBC. Whilst it may not be going for Olympic Gold, I understand that most people at some point in their career, whatever their goals, will have to cope with immense pressure to perform. Here are three key tips that have helped me to manage mental pressure and perform at my best: ✅ 1.⁠ ⁠Focusing on What I Can Control Concentrating on controllable factors like my day-to-day processes, mental visualization, training, and recovery. If I give my best and control what I can control, the rest I can’t and don’t put much weight into. Having preparatory routines helps to be confident in whatever it is you’re doing. ✅ 2.⁠ ⁠Developing a Strong Support System Surrounding myself with positive influences—family, friends, coaches, psychologist and teammates who uplift me. A strong support system provides encouragement and perspective for me during challenging times. ✅ 3.⁠ ⁠Practicing Self-Care Incorporating mindful practices into my routine. For some people that's meditation and breathing exercises but for me it’s just putting myself first. I prioritize doing things that make me happy whilst ensuring I am prepared as possible. Sometimes I need ice cream and law & order to reset! I hope this can help some of you. Wishing everyone facing challenges the strength to overcome and thrive. Let’s support one another and prioritize mental well-being. 💪

Focus on “Cause” NOT “Effect” The cause and effect theory states that every action (cause) leads to a corresponding outcome (effect). Staying "in cause" means taking responsibility for your actions and attitudes, which directly influences the outcomes in your life. This is crucial for several reasons: Empowerment and Control: Acknowledging your actions affect your outcomes empowers you to take control of your life and make deliberate choices. Accountability: Staying in cause fosters accountability, reducing the tendency to blame external factors for failures and encouraging personal growth. Proactive Attitude: It encourages proactive behavior, making you an active participant in creating the life you desire. Improved Relationships: Taking responsibility for your behavior builds trust and respect, enhancing interpersonal relationships. Problem-Solving: Recognising your role in problems improves your ability to find effective solutions and prevent future issues. How to Stay in Cause Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your actions and their outcomes. Journaling can help track and analyze your behaviors. Set Clear Goals: Define clear, achievable goals and outline steps to reach them, keeping you focused on productive actions. Develop a Growth Mindset: Believe in your ability to grow through effort, viewing challenges as opportunities to learn. Take Responsibility: Own your mistakes and learn from them, evaluating what you could have done differently. Maintain a Positive Attitude: Focus on what you can control, cultivating a positive outlook to stay motivated and resilient. Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback to gain different perspectives on your actions, using constructive criticism to improve. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices like meditation to increase self-awareness and align your actions with your intentions. Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Build a network of supportive friends and mentors who encourage you to stay in cause, providing motivation and accountability. Staying in cause with your actions and attitude is key to personal and professional success. By taking responsibility for your behaviors and their outcomes, you empower yourself to create a fulfilling and productive life. Through self-reflection, goal-setting, a growth mindset, and supportive practices, you can maintain a cause-oriented approach and continuously improve your ability to shape your destiny

Overthinking can impact not only personal well-being but also workplace productivity and harmony. Drawing inspiration from Japanese philosophies, we can find valuable techniques to cultivate a healthier mindset, foster inclusivity, and inspire collective growth. Here's how these timeless principles can apply to both personal and professional settings: Ikigai: Find your "reason for being." By aligning your passions, mission, vocation, and profession, you can foster a sense of purpose, which is critical for individual fulfillment and team cohesion. Kaizen: Embrace continuous improvement. Small, consistent efforts toward progress can create a culture of collaboration and innovation, empowering diverse perspectives to thrive. Shoshin: Cultivate a "beginner’s mind." Approaching challenges with openness, curiosity, and humility allows us to embrace learning opportunities and value different viewpoints. Hara Hachi Bu: Practice moderation, especially in mental and emotional energy. Encouraging balance and boundaries helps to prevent burnout and promotes sustainable work practices. Shinrin-Yoku: Take "forest baths." Immersing oneself in nature can refresh the mind, reduce stress, and spark creativity—a powerful tool for maintaining workplace wellness. Wabi-Sabi: Embrace imperfection and impermanence. Recognizing beauty in flaws helps us celebrate authenticity, foster psychological safety, and create inclusive environments. Ganbaru: Show tenacity and resilience. Encouraging a culture of perseverance enables individuals and teams to overcome challenges together while maintaining respect and support. Gaman: Cultivate patience and self-restraint. By staying calm under pressure and practicing empathy, we can foster understanding and reduce conflict in diverse spaces. Incorporating these principles into our daily lives and workplace cultures not only helps us manage overthinking but also builds an inclusive, mindful, and thriving community. What other cultural practices inspire your approach to well-being and inclusion? Let’s exchange ideas! #Inclusion #DEI #Leadership #WellBeing #Mindfulness #ContinuousImprovement #CulturalWisdom

Most players work on their technique. Some work on their physical condition. Very few work on what actually decides most matches: The mind. A tennis match is not just about hitting the ball. It’s a mental journey. During that journey, you have two opponents: the player on the other side of the court… and yourself. Your thoughts, your reactions, your emotions. You cannot control everything in a match. You don’t control: the conditions, your opponent, how well you feel that day. But you do control two things: your inner talk and your attitude which have a huge impact on your performance. Your biggest enemy is not your opponent. It’s negative thinking. Frustration starts small… like a seed. One negative thought, then another, then another… and suddenly, it takes control of you. You stop focusing on the game, you focus on your mistakes, you lose clarity. So what should you do? You need to talk positively to yourself and control your inner talk. Let’s look at real match situations. #1. You miss with the right intention, you tried to be aggressive but you miss. Say: “Good intention. More margin. Keep going.” #2. You don’t follow your game plan, you know it; you went away from it. Reset immediately: “Stick to the plan. That’s how I win.” #3. Your opponent hits a winner Very frustrating, but instead of complaining: “Well done. But I won’t let it happen again.” Then adjust. #4. You struggle with one shot Serve? Return? Backhand? The mistake? You focus only on that problem. You forget the match. Instead: give a simple instruction such as “More spin”, “Change position,” then go back to your strategy. Because here is the truth: you don’t win a match by fixing one shot, you win by executing the right strategy with the right mindset. And when the pressure comes? Big points, stress increases. That’s normal. But this is where your preparation matters. Your confidence comes from knowing you are ready. And in those moments, your inner talk must keep you: focused, clear, committed. Top players are not mentally strong because they feel less. They are strong because they control what they tell themselves. All the time. #tennis #mindset #mental #PlayerDevelopment #TheCoach

🧠 Working on your mindset is just as important as working on your skill set. 🛠️ What does every unicorn 🦄 have in common? A growth mindset. It's the one characteristic I've seen when growing #Data and #Analytics functions, that takes someone from being solid, to sought after. Use a "Head, Hands and Heart" model to frame your mindset development plan to take your performance to a whole new level. 🧠 Head - Beliefs and Values Spend some time reflecting on your current mindset. Do you think you can get better with effort? Is that important to you?  You need to believe that you can to the core, and make it a priority, for a growth mindset to work. 🖐 Hands - Application Get out there and learn new skills. Learn how to write "Hello, World" in that new language. Test different models and new tool features. People with a growth mindset are experimenting to see what works and what doesn't. Those experiences will reinforce that you can learn and do new things, when you get out there and keep trying. 💗 Heart - Recognition, Feedback and Motivation Unicorns have a secret - they don't go it alone. They have a trusted partner to support them, whether that's their leader, a peer or a coach. Now that person isn't just cheering you on, celebrating your progress and outcomes. They're also providing constructive feedback to keep you improving while working on your craft and mindset. Find your partner. When you're revisiting your development plan, spend some time to add new mindset objectives and actions to complement your skill set focus. Remember, while skill set helps you do things, mindset gets things done! #GrowthMindset #SkillSet #PersonalDevelopment