5 Steps To Build A Mastery Mindset
Transcript: Transitioning from a performance mindset to a mastery mindset can lead to significant benefits for tax professionals, including reduced stress and improved job satisfaction. Here are 5 steps tax professionals can take to embrace this shift.
Reframe Goals: Rather than setting goals focused on outperforming others or avoiding failure, try setting mastery-oriented goals that focus on skill development. For example, instead of aiming to have zero audit errors (a performance goal), one could aim to improve their audit preparation process (a mastery goal). By focusing on what they can control, tax professionals can reduce anxiety about external evaluations.
Embrace Feedback as Learning: It's critical to view feedback not as judgment but as a tool for improvement. When feedback comes in the form of audits or reviews, instead of fearing these processes, you can view them as opportunities for improvement. When the focus is on learning, any outcome, even a poor audit result, can be seen as valuable feedback rather than a personal failure.
Develop Intrinsic Motivation: Tax professionals face extrinsic pressures like deadlines, audits, and client demands. Building intrinsic motivation can create a more sustainable drive. For example, mastering new software or improving processes reduces stress more than just focusing on avoiding audit errors.
Trust the Process: A key to a mastery mindset is understanding that growth takes time. Those who focus on mastery, are less concerned with immediate results and more focused on long-term improvement. This means accepting that not every outcome will be perfect, but every experience offers a lesson. This reduces the pressure of each individual task or audit and fosters a more relaxed, productive work environment.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Every improvement in efficiency, every new skill learned, and every piece of positive feedback can be a source of motivation. This positive reinforcement builds resilience and reduces the stress associated with trying to achieve flawless performance. Shifting to a mastery mindset helps you reduce stress from external evaluations. Focusing on learning, growth, and internal motivation leads to better long-term performance and a more fulfilling career. This mindset shifts concern away from single audits, emphasizing continuous improvement instead.