How important is a productive mindset to being successful?
Is it not important? Is it somewhat important? Or is it mission critical?
Most people would agree with me that it’s mission critical! If you’re not in a clear thinking, optimistic frame of mind then your behaviour and outcomes will be compromised.
Last week I spoke with you about the triggers of certain behaviours (or more specifically the ‘mindsets’) that drive distress patterns. We identified that each of us have varying triggers and patterns of distress. Why? Because our primary psychological needs are very different from person to person.
It would be an uninteresting world if we were all the same, however imagine how much better it would be if you learnt the skills and built the knowledge to understand not only yourself but others around you on a deeper level? Whether this means in your workplace as a boss and understanding that each of your staff requires a different management style based on their primary needs or if you are a mother understanding the varying needs between your 2,3, 4 or 6 children! The success of relationships, workplace productivity and society in general would improve dramatically simply because we are educated on understanding humanity on a deeper level. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Yet Come to think of it, this topic isn’t even discussed anywhere in our education system!
So what are the primary psychological needs and their associated distress patterns? Here’s a snapshot!
1. Need: Recognition of person (desire to be liked) and sensory needs (desire for a cosy environment)
Distress pattern: Over-adapt to others get wishy washy and indecisive; invite self-criticism and fumble around
2. Need: Recognition of work achievements and clear time structure/adherence to time structure
Distress pattern: Tries hard to show how smart they are; becomes over-controlling of the way others do things; verbally attacks people for the way they are thinking
3. Need: Recognition of work conviction and quality
Distress pattern: Focus on what’s wrong; become opinionated; Push beliefs and verbally attack others for not believing the same as them
4. Need: Incidence (lots of action)
Distress pattern: Expect others to fend for themselves/doesn’t support others; manipulates and creates negative drama; ignores or breaks rules
5. Need: Playful contact (fun)
Distress pattern: Avoids having to think and delegate to others (eg can’t you do it for me); negative and complaining; blames other people or situations
When a person slips into distress, they don’t think as clearly and are less productive. They are prone to making mistakes, and in some situations, these mistakes can have dire safety consequences.
Most people slip into distress many times each day because their primary psychological needs aren’t being fed.
Guess what? There is some great news! We can keep ourselves out of distress by learning how to feed our own needs. We can also begin to help others. Whether it is a partner, friend or colleague, by identifying their needs and doing what we can to ensure these are met.
We can quickly bring ourselves or others out of distress by feeding the relevant, missing psychological need.
It all comes back to learning to understand ourselves, there is a reason to why we do certain things and react certain ways. It’s just a matter of educating ourselves on the factors that contribute to this, filling in the gaps and mending the habits and behaviours we recognise are not productive to fulfil what it is we ‘need’!
I’m working on some tips on how we bring ourselves and others out of these distress behaviours and look forward to sharing them with you!
For the time being read back through this information’s and identify which of the above distress patterns do you see yourself experiencing on a regular basis? Share your thoughts and experiences with me!
Watch this clip I came across, a very powerful message on negative thinking and how it can consume us and our enviroment. How aware are you of your current mindset?
Wayne