Earlier this week I was reading about the career of Sarah Robb O'Hagan, who In the early 2000s, found herself at a career low point. After being fired twice in a row from prominent positions, she struggled with feelings of failure and self-doubt. It would have been easy to retreat, but Sarah chose a different path: she committed to working on her mindset and mental habits.
Sarah realised that instead of focusing on external factors, she needed to reshape her internal world. This something which is much easier said than done, but she began developing mental habits that helped her manage stress, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain laser-like focus. Through the power of mindset, she started viewing failure as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. This mental shift allowed her to take calculated risks and push herself further.
Sarah eventually rose to become a powerful leader, known for her impact on brands like Nike, Gatorade, and Equinox. She is a living testament to the fact that success begins in the mind.
Key Mental Habits That Lead to Success
Just like Sarah, adopting the right mental habits can change the trajectory of your career and life. Here are a few that are essential for high performance and lasting success:
1. Growth Mindset
The belief that abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence is central to long-term success. Embracing challenges and seeing failure as an opportunity to grow will make you more resilient. Sarah’s story illustrates this perfectly—getting fired was a catalyst for her growth, not a career-ending failure.
How to Build This Habit: Reframe failures as feedback, seek out challenges, and celebrate the process of learning.
2. Mindfulness & Focus
With constant distractions, staying present and focused on the task at hand is crucial. Cultivating mindfulness through meditation or breathing exercises allows you to clear mental clutter and concentrate better.
How to Build This Habit: Set aside time each day for mindfulness practices, even just 5-10 minutes. When working, eliminate distractions and set a timer for focused work sessions.
3. Positive Self-Talk
The way we talk to ourselves has a profound impact on our confidence and actions. Successful people learn to silence the inner critic and replace it with empowering self-talk. Sarah shifted her internal dialogue from one of self-doubt to one of confidence and resilience.
How to Build This Habit: Pay attention to negative self-talk and consciously replace it with positive affirmations. For example, instead of “I can’t do this,” say, “I’m learning, and I’ll get better.”
4. Resilience Through Setbacks
Everyone faces challenges, but it’s how you respond to them that defines your success. Instead of being discouraged by setbacks, develop the habit of bouncing back quickly and learning from the experience. Sarah turned multiple setbacks into stepping stones by viewing each one as an opportunity for reinvention.
How to Build This Habit: After a setback, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and identify areas for growth. Then, create an action plan to move forward.
5. Consistent Reflection & Goal Setting
Success isn’t just about working hard; it’s about working smart. Regularly reflecting on your progress and setting clear, actionable goals keeps you aligned with your purpose. Sarah consistently evaluated her career and sought out new opportunities to grow and stretch herself.
How to Build This Habit: Spend 10-15 minutes at the end of each day reflecting on what went well and what you can improve tomorrow. Set weekly or monthly goals that challenge you to stretch your limits.
Your Mind is Your Most Valuable Asset
Success is much more than just talent or hard work. It’s the result of mental habits that shape how you perceive challenges, respond to setbacks, and push yourself toward growth.
By focusing on habits like resilience, growth mindset, and mindfulness, you can completely change your performance—and your life. Remember, it’s not just about what you do, but how you think.
Which mental habit are you going to work on?
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