Awareness - Ability - Choice

The Three Core Mindsets for Business Success: Awareness, Ability, and Choice:

When I started out, I had no idea just how much my mindset would impact my business success. But over the years I spent in the painting industry, both as a business owner and as a coach, I’ve come to realize that untapping your full potential boils down to three core mindsets: awareness, ability, and choice. These mindsets aren’t just nice ideas; they are key to breaking through the noise and achieving success—whether you're just starting out or looking to grow further.

Awareness: Know Yourself to Grow Yourself

Simply put, you need to know yourself and your business to truly grow. You’ve got to understand your own strengths and weaknesses before you can improve your business. I learned this lesson the hard way. Early on, I thought I had everything under control because my name was on the truck, and I was calling the shots. But I wasn't aware of how my lack of self-awareness was affecting my team and, ultimately, my business.

One example? My team used to call me "Mayhem" behind my back because I would come onto the job site and disrupt everything. I thought I was helping, but in reality, I was micromanaging and making things worse. It wasn't until I became aware of my own behavior that I was able to step back, trust my team, and see the results we all wanted. That self-awareness helped me assemble a great team, and it’s a big part of why I was able to grow my business.

But it’s not just about knowing what you’re good at. Awareness also means knowing your market, your competition, and your clients. Are you serving the right types of clients? Are you pricing your services properly? Are you aware of the opportunities that might be slipping by? Take a moment to assess where you are.

Ability: Master Your Craft, Build the Right Team

Once you’ve gained awareness, you need to develop the skills that will drive your business forward and get you where you want to go. When I realized I wasn’t just a painter but a business owner, I knew I had to focus on improving my business skills. I spent time learning how to prospect, how to talk to builders, and how to negotiate contracts. My painting skills were important, but it was my ability to manage and lead that ultimately helped me grow.

In business, it’s impossible to do everything yourself. Trying to paint a house while also selling, managing, and planning just won’t cut it. You have to recognize where your abilities lie, then find people whose strengths complement yours. It’s all about knowing your strengths and where you need help. That’s how you scale a painting business.

Choice: Make Decisions That Align with Your Goals

Every day, you’re making decisions—whether it’s who to hire, what clients to take on, or how much time you spend prospecting. Your choices determine the success of your business.

In my early days, I chose to work with builders, despite others warning me that they’d take advantage of me. I knew the risks but decided to go all in. That choice led to massive growth in my business. But here’s the kicker: you need to be aware of your choices, or you’ll end up on autopilot, making decisions that don’t align with your goals.

Every choice you make brings you closer—or pulls you further away—from your goals. Are your decisions aligned with where you want your business to go? When you start making intentional choices, everything changes. You stop reacting and start creating the future you want for your business. Remember that the choices you make today will impact where your business stands tomorrow.

The Path To Painting Profit

If you’re running a painting business—or thinking of starting one—these three mindsets are the pillars of success. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses, honing your abilities, and making the right choices will take your business to the next level. When you lean into these three core mindsets, you’ll find clarity and direction, and when you develop these, you’ll not only be a better painter but also a better business owner.

Remember, it’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things in a certain way.

If you’re ready to take control of your painting business and turn your hard work into consistent profits, my Painting Profit course, Mastering the Business Behind the Brush, is designed for you. We’ll cover these mindsets in detail and teach you how to apply them to your business.

You don’t have to go through the same mayhem I did. Let’s build something great together. Click the lin@mik in my bio to learn more about how you can unlock your full potential!