Why mindset is key to change

When faced with challenges, how do you respond to them? 

Architecture, like the rest of the world, has been faced with one massive, unprecedented challenge in the last year: a global pandemic. 

The industry is facing a technological change, where the old ways of doing things are simply not going to cut it anymore. We are seeing the world put on hold. And while it’s natural to have feelings of concern for the future, the key is to ask, “How do we respond?” before it’s too late. 

During the first-ever Architect’s Success Forum on Tuesday, Archibiz’s Co-Founder Ray Brown delved into some of the ways that architects can take action so that they can achieve success within their practices, even during a global pandemic. 

The talk, “A Mindset for Success in Architecture,” was the first of the five-day seminar where 16 experts will share practical and actionable insights to help architects improve their marketing, branding and profitability. Architects from around the world gathered to hear Ray speak at the summit, which was created by Archmark’s Bryon McCartney and copywriting and marketing strategist Nikita Morell

Firstly, it’s important to remember that the solutions already sit within your business, Ray said. “You don’t have to dig deep,” he continued. “You just have to be open to new ideas.”

Ray, the Chief Mentor at Archibiz with over five years experience of working with architects, continued by saying that, in order for architects to feel certainty in their business, they need to take a step back and focus on the sources that are driving, or hindering, such certainty. That means looking at the systems and processes, skills and most importantly, mindset, in your practice.

“Mindset is key to change,” Ray said.

There are simple mindset shifts that architects can adopt to start seeing changes in their practice. One of these key shifts involves switching from the “technician” mindset to the “leader” mindset at least for part of your time. That means asking more questions, showing vulnerability and accepting that not everything is black or white. 

A second mindset shift revolves around changing the way we think about sales.

Many architects believe that “sales is a sleazy activity,” Ray said. In reality, sales is essential in any business and it’s important to treat it as such. If not, “you’re missing a huge opportunity.”

Special thanks to Bryon McCartney and Nikita Morrell for hosting Ray on the Architect’s Success Forum. For more information on the forum, check out the site.

Mindset shifts such as these are among the topics that Archibiz delves deep into on the Designing Architectural Practice Success (DAPS) Course. The eight-week program is structured to help architects achieve sustainability and profitability with their practices. Learn more about Archibiz Programs & Courses here.