How to Cultivate a Business Owner Mindset

The journey of career growth, whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or building your own business, is a matter of mindset. It’s a concept that goes beyond job titles and paychecks, touching on how we approach risk, make decisions, and seek personal autonomy. The divide between an employee mindset and a business owner mindset is often stark, but bridging that gap is a crucial step for anyone seeking to go Beyond The Grind.

The Employee Mindset: A Tale of the 9-to-5

The employee mindset is straightforward: you show up, you get paid, and you’re out of here. You don’t worry about anything once you clock out. The pros are clear: you’re not responsible for payroll, you don’t have to pull from a line of credit, and your weekends are truly your own. You can enjoy a greater work-life balance because once you leave, you’re done.

But there are also cons. When a company sees you as just a number, you're more likely to treat the job the same way that number is on your paycheck. This transactional relationship can lead to a state of quiet complacency. You do your job and nothing more, which can prevent you from acquiring the skills necessary for future growth. As we said in the episode, the risk you take as an employee is different from that of a business owner.

The Business Owner Mindset: Taking on the Weight of the World

The business owner mindset is defined by responsibility and a need to get it done. I shared a the analogy of lifting a heavy desk: one person might struggle alone, but when everyone in the business pitches in with the same mindset, the load becomes light enough to lift with one hand.

This mindset is about constant pivoting and taking initiative. It’s about being proactive and thinking ahead, like the oldest kid in the house who suddenly has to worry about turning lights off and keeping things in order once the parents are gone. It’s about taking ownership, not just waiting to be told what to do. This can be frustrating for business owners who find themselves constantly having to tell their staff what to do, even when the answer is obvious.

The Culture of Ownership

So, how can we bridge the gap? We believe it all starts with the culture you develop. When hiring, it’s crucial to set expectations from the start so both parties are on the same page. As an employee, you can become indispensable by going above and beyond the bare minimum. The mindset should be: they hired me for A, but I’m going to show them I can do B, C, and D. This isn’t just for their benefit; it’s about making yourself a “go-to” person and showing that you’re on a leadership track.

There's the story of a NASA garbage man, who when asked about his job, didn't say he picked up trash; he said his job was to "put a man on the moon" by making sure the facility was clean so others could do their work. That is the ultimate business owner mindset: understanding how your role, no matter how small, contributes to the bigger picture.

At the end of the day, whether you’re an employee or a business owner, the one thing that matters is growth. We believe that if you’re not growing, you’re dying. So, take initiative, build your skills, and never stop learning.

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Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/SgQ-G-3f0JA.