Cultivate an Independence Mindset

Independence Mindset Quiz

Answer the following ten questions with a simple True or False. Don’t overthink it. Go with one or the other, based on your initial reaction and/or predominant thought.

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1  I much prefer to be surrounded by others than to keep my own company.

2  When something important needs to get done, I am more comfortable taking the lead rather than letting someone else do so.

3  When I have an idea, I like to get the approval or endorsement of as many people as I can, before I’ll consider running with it.

4  I feel very comfortable to question people in authority, or those better qualified than me, on issues that I regard as important to me.

5  I am known as someone who is happy to simply ‘go with the flow’ when it comes to group decision making.

6  When I’m engaging in small talk with others, I am more inclined to listen rather than talk.

7  I take what I read and see in the mainstream news at face value.

8  When it comes to making an important decision, I am not easily swayed by the opinions of others.

9  If something I am doing turns out badly, I instinctively look to pin the blame or responsibility on someone else.

10  The degree of happiness I feel inside is not seriously influenced by what others think of me.

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Scoring

Now, for each odd-numbered question you answered False, score yourself a point. And, likewise, for each even-numbered question you answered True, score yourself a point.

The more points you scored out of 10, the more of an independence mindset you are likely to have.

So what?

What does this mean?

Reliance on others or intuition?

Broadly speaking, people who have less of an independence mindset are more reliant on others to make things happen in their lives. They spend more time connecting with, and getting advice from others, than they do connecting with their own inner voices and listening to their intuitions.

People with more of an independence mindset are more likely to appreciate and harness their inner power and thus be successful at creating their own realities. They are more likely to focus on their own ability to get things done rather than how dependent they are on the vagaries of the external world.

Leaders or followers?

Independence minded people are more likely to be comfortable taking leadership roles, whereas less independence minded people are more comfortable being led and guided on what to do.

People with less of an independence mindset are more likely to accept what others in positions of power or authority say. On the other hand, people with an independence mindset are more inclined to conduct their own research to determine and verify the facts about issues that they regard as important.

Reactive or Proactive?

Just as those who are less independence minded are likely to defer to others and the ‘authorities’ to guide them and attend to their needs, they are also more likely to blame others, or the state of the world in general, for their woes. They are more likely to believe that good fortune is linked to good luck.

Independence minded people are more likely to take full responsibility for their lives and the situations they find themselves in. They are acutely aware of the link between their choices and the outcomes thereof, and they strive to follow more constructive paths that will promote their growth and development. They generally believe that they make their own luck.

Talkers or listeners?

It may seem counterintuitive, but those with an independence mindset are more inclined to save their words for when they really matter. In important situations, they will feel the need to contribute their opinions. However, when it comes to small talk and gossip, they are more likely to listen and observe than take the lead.

For those who are less independence minded, the situation is reversed. They love to take a lead in small talk. For one thing, they see it as an opportunity to get the attention of others. For another, it allows them to control the conversation and keep it focused on the shortcomings of others and the world at large.

Life coaching and an independence mindset

Life coaching is effective in opening the eyes of people to the liberating benefits of becoming more independence minded. New Insights life coaching, in particular, uses a structured programme to promote self discovery, enhance the connection with one’s inner power and accelerate one\’s personal growth.

Why not give life coaching a try. You have very little to lose and so much to gain!

A selection of New Insights trained coaches can be found in our Directories as listed here:

The South African Life Coach Directory:

https://www.life-coach-directory.co.za

The UK Directory of Life Coaches:

https://www.directory-of-life-coaches.co.uk