Skillset versus Mindset

Ask people what they want to accomplish, and they're usually pretty happy to tell you all their goals.  Then ask them how they're going to accomplish those goals, and they'll tell you all the reasons they can't.  In fact many people will launch into listing all the reasons they can't, before you even ask.  Sadly, that's usually about as far as people get with trying to accomplish their goals. 

It doesn't have to be that way.

We can reach all the goals we've ever set, and many more that we haven't imagined yet, through a combination of skillset and mindset.  But first we have to understand the difference.

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What Is Skillset?

Skillset is simply that collection of skills you'll need to accomplish a certain task or goal.  Each goal needs a slightly different skillset. For instance, if you want to become a better student, you'll be working on study skills, test prep strategy, test-taking confidence and even which electives will strengthen future job applications. 

Compare that with a goal to become a better marathon runner.  Instead of studying, test-taking and electives selection, you'll need to work on your race strategy, anticipate any physical weaknesses and train to strengthen them, improve overall endurance and then evaluate which marathons best fit your schedule and race condition preferences.    

If your goal is to become a successful entrepreneur, you'll need a whole different skillset.  You'll need to understand market analysis, business planning, fundraising and/or investor relations, employee recruiting, training and management, and product or service development, building, testing, refinement and marketing.

Bottom line, you need a specific set of skills to accomplish any goal.  For most people, they need to develop new skills and/or improve existing skills, to reach a new goal.  Happily, it's never been easier to acquire new skills in almost any specialty.  The proliferation of online schooling, virtual classrooms, mentoring programs, nontraditional training and tuition assistance has made it easier than ever to learn a new skillset.  But is that enough to reach your goals?  In short, no.

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What Is Mindset?

Mindset is a lot more difficult for many of us to pin down.  Essentially, it is each individual's unique collection of identities, values, beliefs, potential and behaviors.  While behaviors are almost always visible on the outside, most of the rest of these qualities reside within our minds.  Each of us has a large collection of identities, values, potential and beliefs that we aren't even aware of, but together those characteristics determine what we can accomplish at any given time.  Furthermore, of the things we're capable of, these mental layers determine what we're willing to work on (and which tasks we'll simply find a reason to avoid).

Consider these examples:

• If a person is convinced he or she is "stupid", "lazy", "unlucky" or "cursed" (each of which are subconscious identities), that person will almost certainly not accomplish much in life, because his or her mindset is getting in the way. 
• Similarly, if a person is convinced that rich people are crooks, successful people are untrustworthy or that success only exposes them to criticism (which are a combination of beliefs and values), they are going to subconsciously avoid becoming rich and/or successful. 

Unfortunately these are also subconscious, so people won't understand why they want something and never seem to get it.  They'll just keep hitting obstacles on the way to their goals, and finally give up. 

The only clues we have that a person has a limiting mindset is by the answers they give when asked what kept them from reaching their goals.  Statements like "I'm not that lucky" or "X, Y and Z always get in the way" or "the economy is bad" or "my mom (or dad, spouse, kids, friends, neighbors, etc) keep me from reaching my goals" are all indicators of a mindset problem.  Worse, sometimes it's just a wordless, silent conviction that they can't, won't, shouldn't or mustn't reach those goals.  So they quit.

What if these mindset issues can be overcome?  

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Overcoming Limiting Mindsets

The good news is, there are easy ways to change a person's mindset.  A well-trained hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner and/or success coach can identify a person's limiting mindset and/or gaps in the skillset, and help that person achieve his/her goals. 

What would your life be like if all your obstacles were removed, and you KNEW you could reach your goals?  With a qualified hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner and/or success coach, you can.  And it's usually easier and faster than people expect.

When you're ready to add to your skillset and adjust your mindset so that you can reach your goals, Contact Me.  I'll help you get past whatever obstacles have kept you from moving forward, so that you can finally achieve your dreams.

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Contact Me For Help Reaching Your Goals

When you're ready to move forward, push through obstacles and make real progress towards your goals, Contact Me today.

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