Six Cringy Words – We’ve Always Done It That Way

Recently, a client hired me to help prepare her for an upcoming meeting she was facilitating for a local non-profit organization’s annual fundraiser. As the chairperson, she recognized the need to make some changes to the yearly event to elevate the experience and the revenue generated. The problem was that the committee members hadn’t changed in at least fifteen years, nor had the event. Same place, same food, same silent auction routine.

My client knew there would be opposition from most of the committee when she introduced her ideas. So, before the meeting, we met, thought of every question and resistance the group would have, and prepared responses to them. As a result, she went to the meeting ready for the challenge.

As she introduced her new plan, she looked around the room at the faces and noticed they had gone from smiling to frowning. And then, one of those faces said, “Why are we even talking about this? We’ve ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY.”

Those are the six cringiest words I can think of. Why? Because they indicate a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset desires no change and is resistant to growth, resulting in stagnation. That is just what this organization was experiencing: stagnation.

The committee members had become comfortable always doing what they had always done. But,

When you keep doing things the way you’ve always done them, you will Preview text

It leaves no room for growth, creativity, or expansion.

In this non-profit’s case, the expenses steadily rose as donations fell off over the past several years. In fact, they had declined so significantly that it prompted the committee chair to realize the need for changes in the fundraising event’s format. But first, she had to change their stagnant, fixed mindset.

So, how does a person move from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset? I’m glad you asked.

First, one must recognize that they have a fixed mindset.

But, how do you know?

When you hear yourself say something similar to, “I’ve always done it that way. Why should I change?” you know you have a fixed mindset about that topic or area of your life.

Or, you might have a fixed mindset if you have been getting the same results for your efforts, and they aren’t the results you were hoping for. For example, when looking for the perfect partner or trying to earn more money-if, the results you want are not panning out; again, it’s your mindset. It’s keeping you from realizing MORE than the same old results. Most people with a fixed mindset don’t realize that their thinking is holding them back.

Once you become aware of it, you can see how your limited thinking or fixed mindset affects your progress. It limits you from reaching your desired outcomes, whether they are related to your relationship, career, health, or wealth. Knowing that you have a fixed mindset about a particular topic is the first step to accepting and changing it.

Back to that non-profit, I mentioned earlier. First, my client had to help the committee members see the big picture and understand the need for change, gently turning their initial opposition to acceptance. Then, because she had thought to call me and prepare first, she knew just what to do when those smiles turned to frowns. Finally, she had to be respectful of their fears and be at the ready with all the ways those fears would be erased with the new implementations.

I am happy to report that my client successfully introduced the needed changes to this committee. After communicating clearly and answering all objections, she allowed the committee to vote on the proposed modifications, with all members in favor.

If you desire a better outcome for your next encounter with others’ fixed, stagnant mindsets, I can help.

Or, if you are ready to change YOUR fixed mindset and start achieving your relationship, career, health, or wealth goals, I can help you do that too- QUICKLY.

Set up your no-fee 30-minute Discovery Session with me here. During our visit, I’ll show you just how quickly your fixed mindset can be changed.