Enhance Your Business Outcomes by Changing Your Mindset with Incremental Theory
- Cristina Zappullo
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
The most significant obstacle people face when learning the habit of checking their business numbers and plan strategies to enhance their business outcomes is confronting their own biases.
This is the way to beat them.
Analytics and analytical thinking are crucial for entrepreneurs for several reasons, as they provide a structured approach to decision-making and problem-solving that can significantly enhance business outcomes.
The easiest way to step into analytics nowadays is to start checking the website dashboard.
The good news is that nowadays, every CMR and website platform has at least an automatic dashboard. This helps us solopreneurs and small business owners understand more about our clients’ journey and improve our strategy.
The bad news is, you need to know how to read a dashboard and be comfortable with numbers if you want to get the most out of it.
Unfortunately, analytics are not a primary skill for entrepreneurs.
90% of solopreneurs come from outside the STEM field. The majority of them encountered STEM subjects at some point and it didn't go well.
Today, I'm going to show you how to get another chance at learning how to feel confortable with reading a dashboard and understanding numbers, without the baggage of bad memories.
Better Business Outcomes are Just Beyond Fear. Reframe your Story and Conquer It!
It's not fun learning something that's related to what you've already tried with mixed results.
Let's be honest, we all have the same thoughts running through our minds:
I've already failed once, do I really want to try again?
I'm not going to spend my time and money on something that's probably not going to succeed.
I don't need it. The universe (or my guts) will tell me what to do.
What if I learn and figure out that my company is doing awfully?
I tried, but it's complex and not my cup of tea. I'm going to focus on what I do best.
It takes really motivated people to continuously challenge their beliefs, step out of their comfort zone, and find new ways to succeed.
Fortunately for us entrepreneurs, we are such people.
We just need to do what we do best.
Reframe our story.
Step # 1: Entity Theory VS Incremental Theory
"In order to beat your enemy, you have to know your enemy" - (paraphrasing) "Art of War"
Let's dive in and learn something about our brains.
The experts from the neuroscience field are here to help.
There are two distinct groups when it comes to people's attitudes towards learning: Entity Theory and Incremental Theory.
Let me introduce you to Mike and July.
Mike is an entity theorist. He knows he has amazing entrepreneurial skills and that he was born with them. He has always been good at those.
July is an incremental theorist. She knows she wasn't born with entrepreneurial skills, but with time, courses and tries, she succeeded.
They both now have successful companies.
Now they both know they need to learn analytical skills to get their companies to the next level.
They both struggled with STEM subjects at school and this has affected them negatively.
Mike is certain he won't do well.
He has excellent entrepreneurship skills but not analytical ones. He is determined not to have the same experience again. He is stuck.
What’s worse, instead of finding a way forward, he puts on a brave face and continues as he always has, all the while saying he is satisfied with where he is.
July is aware of the amount of effort and work she will need to put into this to succeed but is confident that she can do it. She looks into courses and help from people that can make her speed up her learning time to save time.
July is going to make it and move on, can’t Mike move on as well?
What about you?
Step # 2: Identify Your Own Type
The solution is unique for each type.
If you don't know which type you are, you won't be able to fix it.
You must look inside yourself and reflect on your past experiences to identify your type.
Here's how.
Think back to a time when things didn't go as planned.
Why? Was it a personal setback?
Did you let it discourage you?
Did you try again and see improvements?
Identify which story most resonates with you.
This will reveal your type.
Step # 3: Reframe Your Story and Move Forward Using what you Have
Depending on the type of person you are, here's the solution: we're going to reframe our story!
July is ready to face any uncomfortable situation head on. She'll take a deep breath and go.
Mike is convinced he'll excel at anything he tries for the first time - typical entity theorist behaviour.
So he hacks his own brain.
He tells himself that this is a new experience.
He knows previous encounters with STEM topics didn't go well, but this is a completely new topic in a new situation, and he'll do great.
Why Reframing Your Story Works
This approach works because it addresses the real issue, which is never doing well or badly.
I have been teaching for many years - we are in the two digits number now - and I can say with confidence that anyone can improve with the right explanation, time and effort.
Yes, you got me – I'm an Incremental Theorist. And so proud to be ;)
The real issue is overcoming your own thoughts and taking action.
You now know what to do.
It will take little time and lots of courage.
After that, you will have conquered a new field and brought more success to your company.
You can do it!
I know you can.
I've seen it before.
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