A Consumer vs. Producer Mindset

Think of your top 3 brands that come to mind.

I bet you follow them on social media, have visual aesthetics in your head and something in your (eventual) shopping cart.

Being a consumer is fun.

But it becomes a problem when you take that same mentality to your career.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the concept of conscious unbossing.

Basically an aversion to management roles.

Now I’ll be the first one to admit not everyone is cut out for leadership.

Yet far too times in life we’re on the sidelines cheering instead of playing in the game.

A producer mindset consists of: vision, purpose, implementing ideas, working hard, developing others, etc.

Here are 3 ways to shift to a producer’s mindset:

1. Be Seen on LinkedIn.

It’s not enough to just have a profile, you need to be posting consistently, commenting and sending/accepting connection requests. Here is a post by my friend, Mandy, that will show you how to turn your profile into a pipeline magnet.

2. Build Great Habits.

• Post 3x’s per week

• Hit the gym 3x’s per week (I’ll relate this one later)

• Volunteer to lead the next meeting or voice your opinion

Did you know that habits are more powerful than goals?

Habits are long-term as goals are to short-term.

Creating habits produces routines that are repeatable.

1. Leaders don’t rely on feelings or motivation to get the job done.

2. Habits push you through the wall when your feelings don’t support you.

3. Once you add a habit in your life (it can include the gym), it spills over to other parts in your life.

So think less about what the habit is and more about completing it.

3. Leverage your Personal Strengths

Career advice: don’t try to emulate others, be the best version of you.

Identify your strengths, then develop them through practice.

Just like there is no prototypical teacher, lead/relate according to your leadership style.

“I used to hate public speaking growing up and now I do it for a living.”

I didn’t wake up extroverted one day, I just made a decision to get better through reps.

Whatever your goals are, your strengths are a means to an end to get there.

Your voice, style and brand will refine over time as long as you take action towards improvement.

Overall a producer’s mindset is being proactive, adding value and problem solving.

Isn’t that someone you’d want to hire or work for?

It’s easy to get lazy and be a consumer at work.

But if you’re looking for career opportunities, personal growth and leadership skills it’s time to be a producer.

I emphasize the mindset shift initially because the skill set follows your thoughts.

It takes courage to produce.

So stop sitting on the bench and get in the game!

God Bless,

Scott

P.S. I chose to make a career shift armed w/ a producer’s mindset👇