Could Your Mindset Be the Missing Piece to Achieving Your Goals?

We all start new chapters in life with a sense of motivation and purpose, ready to make changes that matter. But over time, it’s easy to feel stuck or lose focus. Achieving what you want isn’t about willpower, it’s about mindset. Whether you’re working toward career goals, creating balance in family life, or focusing on your own wellbeing, the way you think shapes everything you achieve.

Our mindset is influenced by beliefs we’ve carried since childhood. From an early age, our subconscious absorbs messages and experiences that shape how we view ourselves and the world. For example, if you grew up hearing, “You’re not good at sports,” that belief may linger and make you hesitant to try new things as an adult. The powerful truth is that your brain will believe what you repeatedly tell it.

The good news is that mindset isn’t fixed. By aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions, you can unlock confidence, motivation, and clarity to help you move forward and achieve your goals.

Woman in a cosy sweater standing by the sea with arms crossed, gazing into the distance, reflecting on possibilities and personal growth.

What Is Mindset and Why Does It Matter?

Mindset is the set of beliefs and attitudes you hold about yourself and your abilities. These beliefs shape every decision you make and every action you take.

Psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the concepts of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset:

Fixed Mindset: Believing abilities are static, which can lead to avoiding challenges and fearing failure.
Growth Mindset: Believing abilities can grow with effort, encouraging resilience and learning from setbacks.

For example, imagine starting a new fitness routine. A fixed mindset might say, “I’ll never get fit,” while a growth mindset reframes this as, “I can improve my fitness with consistent effort.”

Your mindset doesn’t just affect your decisions, it also influences the energy you put out into the world.

What Is Vibrational Energy?

All energy vibrates, including your thoughts and feelings. When we project those vibrations into the world, they influence what we attract back. This is often referred to as vibrational energy.

Have you ever met someone who gave off a bad vibe? Maybe they didn’t say much, but their negative energy was palpable. On the other hand, someone confident and positive can light up a room.

Vibrational energy plays a key role in manifestation. Aligning your thoughts, emotions, and actions to your goals, creates a kind of momentum that attracts opportunities and opens doors.

Think about how you feel when you walk into a meeting prepared and confident, people notice that energy, and it helps you connect and leave a positive impression. On the flip side, if you walk in feeling unsure or doubting yourself, it can be harder to engage and get the results you want. The energy you bring into a situation often shapes what you get out of it.

Manifestation: Aligning Your Mindset and Energy

Manifestation is about bringing your goals and dreams to life by aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions with what you want to achieve. Manifestation is not about “thinking positive” and then sitting back and hoping for the best, it’s about believing in yourself, having a clear vision, and taking steady steps toward making it happen.

For instance, when you truly believe, “I’m capable of success,” you start to make decisions and notice opportunities that align with that belief. After a while, this starts to build momentum, making it easier to move toward your goals.

But we’ve all had moments when self-doubt or fear creeps in, haven’t we? Those thoughts can feel like roadblocks, slowing you down or holding you back. Think of it like tuning a radio, when your energy is focused on gratitude and positivity, you’re more likely to connect with experiences and people that help you succeed.

Manifestation isn’t just about thinking positive; it’s about directing your energy and actions in a way that turns your intentions into reality.

Shifting Your Mindset: Practical Steps

Shifting your mindset doesn’t happen overnight. The mind responds to repetition, and small consistent steps that build up over time.

These small shifts can make a big difference. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Awareness

Start by noticing the stories you tell yourself. Are they helping you move forward, or are they holding you back? For example, if you often think, “I’m not good enough,” that’s a belief worth challenging. Journalling regularly can help you spot patterns that need a fresh perspective.

Gratitude Practice

Take a moment each day to focus on three things that you are grateful for. It could be something small, like the taste of your morning coffee, a kind word from a colleague, or ticking off a task from your to-do list. Gratitude helps shift your energy from “I don’t have enough” to “There’s so much to appreciate.”

Affirmations

Replace those limiting beliefs with more empowering ones by changing the statements or stories you tell yourself. For example, when you catch yourself saying, “I’ll never figure this out,” try telling yourself, “I’m learning and improving every day.” Over time, these small changes in language can help reshape the way you see yourself.

Visualisation

Take a few minutes each day to imagine yourself achieving your goals. Picture the details, what it looks like, how you’ll feel, and the pride that comes with it. Let that vision keep you motivated and guide the steps you take.

A mobile phone playing the 'Visualising Success' hypnosis recording, accompanied by a pair of headphones.

free Visualising Success meditation recording

Inspired Action

Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them into smaller, doable steps. For example, if you’re working toward a promotion, focus on things like updating your CV, completing a course, or seeking feedback from a mentor. Don’t forget to celebrate each milestone, every small win counts.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Sometimes, all you need is a few quiet moments to reconnect with yourself. Meditation or mindfulness exercises can help you clear your mind and tune into what really matters. Even five minutes can make a difference.

How RTT Supports Mindset and Manifestation

Sometimes, our subconscious beliefs can hold us back without us even realising it. Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) is a powerful tool for uncovering and rewriting those limiting beliefs.

For example, one client I worked with struggled with procrastination. Through RTT, we discovered their hesitation came from a belief rooted in childhood, that success would create conflict with their sibling. By reframing that belief, they felt motivated and free to pursue their goals.

RTT helps you:

Release Limiting Beliefs: Let go of thoughts like “Success isn’t for me.”
Reinforce Empowering Beliefs: Build confidence and clarity to take action.
Elevate Your Energy: Replace negativity with empowering beliefs that attract opportunities.

Your Mindset Shapes Your Success

Your mindset and energy are the foundation of everything you achieve. They influence how you approach challenges, adapt to setbacks, and stay motivated.

Take a moment to reflect: What’s one belief you’re ready to let go of, and what’s one new belief you want to embrace?

If you’d like to explore these ideas further, you can find a range of resources to support mindset and motivation, including RTT recordings here at Clear Haven Therapy, and ADHD-friendly tools and courses on my sister site, The ADHD Coaching Room. Both are designed to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of focus.

ADHD Coaching Tips for Workplace Success

As an ADHD coach and counsellor, I’ve supported over 160 clients, many of whom have found the workplace challenging to navigate. Anxiety about going into work, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome are common struggles, whether ADHD is diagnosed or not. With my experience across both counselling and ADHD coaching, I’ve seen how the right strategies can make a significant difference to focus, confidence, and wellbeing at work.

Managing ADHD at work comes with unique challenges, but with tailored approaches and supportive techniques, it’s entirely possible to thrive.

In this blog, we’ll explore practical ways to navigate work life with greater ease and balance. Whether you’re struggling with organisation, time management, or workplace anxiety, these insights can help you feel more confident, capable, and in control.

When work feels manageable, everything else can start to improve, your motivation, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

ADHD at Work: Understanding the Challenges

If you have ADHD, you’re not alone in finding work challenging. Research shows that adults with ADHD often change jobs more frequently, experience career instability, or go through periods of unemployment.

This can stem from difficulties with time management, organisation, task completion, and maintaining focus. For example, you might struggle to meet deadlines because time gets away from you, or find it hard to keep your workspace organised.

On top of that, impulsivity, emotional ups and downs, and sensitivity to criticism can make things even harder. Even with valuable skills, many people with ADHD struggle to find workplaces that truly support their needs, leading to frustration and career setbacks.

But here’s the good news, these challenges don’t have to define your work life. With the right support and strategies, you can turn them into opportunities for growth and success.

Overcommitting and People-Pleasing in the Workplace

If you have ADHD, you might find yourself saying “yes” to too many tasks, eager to help or afraid of letting people down. This tendency to people-please can make you a valued team member, but it often comes at a cost, burnout, overwhelm, and reduced productivity.

Learning to set clear boundaries and prioritise tasks is key to managing this habit. By recognising your limits and focusing on what truly matters, you can create a more balanced and sustainable approach to work, without feeling guilty for saying no. If you’d like to dive deeper into people-pleasing, check out my blog on the topic.

Three women and one man working together in an office, using laptops and collaborating around a table, representing an ADHD-friendly workplace.

How ADHD Traits Affect the Workplace

Some ADHD traits that might seem like harmless quirks at home can have a big impact in professional settings. Common challenges include:

Boredom: Losing interest in tasks or projects quickly, especially repetitive or unengaging work.
Distractions: Struggling to stay focused due to internal distractions (like daydreaming) or external ones (like office noise or conversations).
Forgetfulness: Finding it hard to remember tasks, deadlines, or responsibilities.
Hyperactivity: Feeling restless and struggling to stay still, which can be challenging in meetings or desk-based jobs.
Impulsiveness: Making quick decisions or comments without fully considering the consequences.
Difficulty with workplace interactions: Being overly blunt, interrupting conversations, or struggling with active listening.
Time management issues: Underestimating how long tasks will take or frequently missing deadlines.
Procrastination: Delaying tasks until the last minute, even when you know it’ll cause stress.
Sensory sensitivities: Being easily overwhelmed by noise, bright lights, or other environmental factors, making it harder to concentrate and stay comfortable.

Successfully Managing ADHD in the Workplace

Effectively managing ADHD at work often requires a mix of personal strategies and external support. One key step is open communication with your employer, discussing your needs can help you explore reasonable adjustments that make a real difference.

Many companies offer support, such as assistive technology, noise-cancelling headphones, or access to quiet workspaces. In the UK, the government-funded Access to Work programme can provide additional help, including specialist equipment, software, and ADHD coaching.

If you’d like to learn more about how Access to Work can support you, I’ve written an article that explains the process.

Practical Strategies for Managing ADHD in the Workplace

Focusing Tools:

Create checklists to keep tasks organised.
Minimise distractions by turning off notifications.
Schedule specific times for returning calls and emails.
Use sticky notes as quick reminders.
Allow extra time for task completion to reduce stress.
Take regular breaks to recharge and maintain focus.
Start your workday earlier to get a head start before distractions set in.

Time-Management Tips:

Set alerts for deadlines to stay on track.
Use timers to maintain focus and prevent time slipping away.
Break tasks down into smaller, manageable steps.
Rotate tasks to sustain interest and avoid boredom.
Find an accountability partner for support and motivation

Communication Strategies:

Practice active listening to stay engaged in conversations.
Ask for repetition if you need clarification.
Keep conversations concise to stay on topic.
Slow down speech to ensure effective participation.
Read body language to improve social interactions.

Centering Techniques:

Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
Identify triggers for impulsivity and develop strategies to manage them.
Track effective strategies so you can use them when needed.

Turning ADHD Traits into Workplace Strengths

ADHD isn’t just about challenges, it also brings valuable strengths to the workplace. Many individuals with ADHD are naturally creative thinkers, generating fresh ideas and solutions by looking beyond traditional approaches.

The ability to hyperfocus on engaging tasks allows for deep, high-quality work and innovative insights. In fast-paced environments, their quick thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills can be a real asset.

When supported with the right strategies, these strengths help create a dynamic, productive workplace where ADHD traits become advantages rather than obstacles.

Managing ADHD at Work: Next Steps

Many people with ADHD face challenges at work, but with the right support and strategies, it’s possible not only to manage but to thrive in your career. If you’re finding things difficult, know that you don’t have to figure it out alone, the right guidance can make a real difference.

As an ADHD coach and counsellor, I provide tailored strategies to help you work with your ADHD, not against it, so you can create a more productive and balanced work life.

If you’re based in the UK, you may also be eligible for funding through the Access to Work scheme, which can cover ADHD coaching sessions and other support to help you reach your full potential. You can learn more about this on my sister site, The ADHD Coaching Room

References:

APA (7th Edition)

Harrison, L., Wilson, M., Sargent, P. A., Haselgrove, M., & Lawrence, N. S. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness of exposure therapy for vomiting phobia: A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 22, 609. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04409-w

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