The Importance of Mindset

The new year is upon us. The holiday season is over. We’ve made our resolutions. We’re determined to achieve our personal and professional goals. What’s left to kick the new year off – getting our mindset right! Ideation, visualization, verbalization, and materialization (IVVM) is a process that, when practiced, catalyzes your mindset.
Let’s start with ideation. What do you want to accomplish in 2023, both personally and professionally? Dream big and be audacious. Write down your big, hairy, audacious goals, otherwise known as BHAGs, coined by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in their 1994 book, “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.” Contemplate the impact on your life and others if you accomplish these BHAGs.
Next, visualize the tasks you need to perform to accomplish the BHAGs. Dig into the details and think through the who, what, where, when, how and time required: who else should you include, what else should you procure, where will you perform, when must you commit, how will you start, and at what time intervals will you need to measure success. Think of outcomes and what they look like and roadblocks and how to overcome them.
Document and verbalize what you visualize. Communicate directly to your constituents and stakeholders with clarity, purpose, and, most important, inspiration. Start the conversation with values and the required, positive behaviors expected. Develop standards and spread the word through multiple venues and media outlets: all-hands meetings, performance reviews, company newsletters, annual and quarterly plans, social media, and websites. Ignite curiosity and interest by positively portraying the outcome in terms of better workplaces, benefits, productivity, growth, financial rewards, and team dynamics.
Then, materialize what you have ideated, visualized, and verbalized. Delegate your authority and empower your constituents and stakeholders. Assign champions and hold them accountable to organize and lead teams in accomplishing the tasks. Introduce processes and certify the workforce on the procedures. Control quality, respond to customer concerns, and grow raving fans. Herald the accomplishments and applaud the team’s efforts.
IVVM is a mindset, as is abundant thinking. What I can do instead of I can’t is how you want to mentor your team. There will always be obstacles to overcome, and with an abundant mindset, you and your team will always find solutions that advance the company’s products and services. Abundant thinking is contagious. You’ll discover your team mirroring your behavior.
Many of our super athletes, from franchise quarterbacks to professional golfers, are abundant thinkers, and they use IVVM to get their mindset right. They ideate, visualize, verbalize, and materialize wins that equate to Superbowl championships or PGA trophies. You, too, can achieve superstar status by getting your mindset right. Make 2023 the year you choose to be an abundant thinker and practice IVVM!
COL Paul A. Raggio (Ret) is a fractional CEO who develops C-Suite executives, business owners, and employees on leadership, management principles, and best business practices. His email address is praggio64@gmail.com, and his phone number is (252) 571-7368.