Evgenia Baikova,
CPCC, ACC, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach
Fulfillment Coaching and Consulting LLC
Indiana
Have you ever wondered why some individuals seem to thrive in any situation, while others struggle to make progress? As a leadership and mindset coach, certified in Gallup strengths and professional co-active coaching, I’ve discovered that the answer lies in two crucial elements: mindset and self-awareness. My journey across different countries, cultures, and career paths has reinforced a powerful truth: your mindset and level of self-awareness are the keys to unlocking your potential and transforming both your reality and your business success.
The Foundation: Mindset and Self-Awareness
Think back to a time when you faced a significant challenge in your life or business. How did you approach it? Did you see it as an insurmountable obstacle or an opportunity for growth? More importantly, were you aware of your thoughts, emotions, and typical responses in that situation?
In my early career and throughout my coaching practice, I’ve observed that individuals who combine a growth mindset with deep self-awareness consistently outperform those who lack in either area. This realization became the cornerstone of my coaching philosophy: to truly succeed, you must cultivate both a powerful mindset and a keen sense of self-awareness.
Ask yourself: How well do you understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors? Are you aware of your strengths and how to leverage them in challenging situations?
Embracing Change: The Self-Aware Immigrant Mindset
Have you ever packed up your life into a few suitcases and jumped headfirst into a whole new world? That’s exactly what I did when I immigrated to the US with my family. It wasn’t a smooth ride, but it was certainly a transformative one.
There I was, standing at square one professionally, with three kids in tow and a supportive husband by my side, facing a completely new environment. Every day brought new challenges – from navigating an unfamiliar school system for our children to rebuilding my career from scratch. It was overwhelming at times, and we had our fair share of struggles.
However, by understanding my strengths, values, and typical reactions, I was able to navigate this massive change more effectively. This self-awareness didn’t just benefit me personally – it became a crucial tool for our entire family as we faced the ups and downs of our new life.
Picture this: My kids grappling with a new language and education system, while I’m out there trying to establish professional credibility in an unfamiliar job market. We weren’t always thriving, but we were learning and growing every single day. Our approach? A blend of persistence, mutual support, and a commitment to viewing our challenges as opportunities for growth.
We had days filled with frustration and moments of doubt, but we also celebrated small victories – a new word learned, a new friend made a successful job interview. It wasn’t about being perpetually optimistic, but rather about acknowledging our struggles while maintaining faith in our ability to overcome them.
Now, think about a significant change you’re facing. How could you approach it with a balance of realism and hope? If you have a family or a team counting on you, how might your mindset and self-awareness help navigate the inevitable bumps in the road?
Here’s a daily practice that has been transformative for me: Every evening, write down 3 wins from your day, no matter how small they might seem. Then, plan 3 wins you want to achieve tomorrow. This simple exercise helps you recognize progress, maintain motivation, and set intentional goals for each day.
This practice isn’t just about positivity – it’s about training your brain to recognize progress and build momentum. By focusing on your wins, you’re reinforcing neural pathways associated with success and motivation. This neuroplasticity is key to developing a resilient, growth-oriented mindset.
Moreover, when you’re assessing your progress towards your goals, shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on what’s lacking to reach your dream, think about how far you’ve come since you started. Ask yourself, “What have I gained? Where am I now compared to where I began?” This approach helps maintain a growth mindset and builds resilience, especially when facing challenging changes.
Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. By acknowledging your daily wins and focusing on your gains, you’re reinforcing a mindset that can transform how you navigate change and pursue your goals.

Leading with Mindset and Self-Awareness: Elevating Yourself and Others
Whether you’re leading a team in a corporate setting, running your own business, or aspiring to take on a leadership role, have you noticed how some leaders seem to inspire and elevate everyone around them? Throughout my career and as a Gallup-certified coach, I’ve witnessed firsthand how leaders who combine a growth mindset with high self-awareness create transformative impacts.
For corporate professionals: Reflect on your leadership style. Are you aware of how your strengths and blind spots affect your team’s performance? How does your mindset influence the team’s morale and innovation?
For business owners: Think about your business culture. How does your level of self-awareness impact your decisions, your interactions with clients, and your ability to adapt to market changes?
Leaders with both a growth mindset and high self-awareness tend to:
- Leverage their strengths effectively while being cognizant of their limitations
- Create environments that foster open communication and continuous learning
- Adapt more readily to challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth
- Inspire trust and authenticity in their teams or organizations
As a Gallup-certified coach, I’ve seen how understanding and leveraging your unique strengths can be a game-changer in leadership. When you align your natural talents with your role and goals, you’re not just more productive – you’re more fulfilled and resilient in the face of challenges.
Remember this crucial truth: Your business will only grow as much as you do. Invest in your personal growth, and your business will follow. This isn’t just a catchy phrase – it’s a fundamental principle I’ve seen play out countless times in my coaching practice.
The Entrepreneurial Leap: Answering the Call
My journey took an exciting turn when I decided to leave my corporate job and start my own coaching and consulting practice. This wasn’t just a career change; it was an answer to a calling – a deep-seated desire to make this world a better place.
The transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur and mindset coach was perhaps the most profound shift in my journey. It required not just a change in mindset, but a deep dive into self-awareness. I had to truly understand my strengths, my values, and my purpose to overcome the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship.
My transition to entrepreneurship wasn’t just about changing careers – it was about aligning my work with my deepest values and purpose. This alignment is what gives me the resilience to navigate the ups and downs of business ownership. When your work resonates with your core self, you tap into a wellspring of motivation and creativity that can sustain you through any challenge.
What dream or goal have you been hesitating to pursue? How might increasing your self-awareness – truly understanding your strengths and values – combined with a shift in mindset, change your approach? Is there a calling you’ve been ignoring, a way you could contribute to making the world a little bit better?
Your Transformation Journey: Mindset, Self-Awareness, and Growth
Think of your growth journey as a road trip. Your mindset is the engine of your car, determining how smoothly you’ll travel and how well you’ll handle the bumps along the way. Self-awareness is your GPS, helping you navigate and make the right turns to reach your destination. And your strengths? They’re your fuel, providing the energy and momentum to keep moving forward, even when the road gets tough.
As you navigate this journey, it’s crucial to recognize the power of your beliefs and thought patterns. Remember this: Each time you buy into your old stories, beliefs, and patterns, you are robbing yourself, and it is actually costing you money – only you don’t see the cost because it’s not directly coming out of your pocketbook like other expenses.
This insight is profound. Those limiting beliefs and old patterns aren’t just abstract thoughts – they have real-world consequences. They can hold you back from taking risks, pursuing opportunities, or showing up as your best self. The cost might be a promotion you didn’t go for, a client you didn’t pitch to, or an innovative idea you didn’t voice.
Recognizing this hidden cost is the first step to reclaiming your power. When you challenge those old stories and cultivate a growth mindset, you’re not just changing your thoughts – you’re opening doors to new possibilities and potential income streams.
As a leadership and mindset coach, I’m like a seasoned travel guide. I’ve helped many people map out their journeys, whether they’re changing careers, adapting to new life situations, or starting their businesses. With the right mindset and a clear understanding of yourself, you can turn any challenge into an opportunity for growth.

Let’s look at some key principles that will help you on your journey:
- Embracing a Growth Mindset: View challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
- Deepening Self-Awareness: Engage in regular self-reflection to understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
- Leveraging Your Strengths: Identify and capitalize on your unique strengths in both personal and professional contexts.
- Cultivating Resilience: Learn to bounce back from setbacks by understanding your typical responses and choosing more empowering alternatives.
- Developing Emotional Intelligence: Enhance your ability to recognize and manage your own emotions and those of others.
- Fostering Adaptability: Develop mental flexibility to thrive in changing environments.
- Aligning with Your Values: Make decisions and take actions that are in harmony with your core values.
The Transformative Power of Mindset and Self-Awareness
Through my coaching practice, I’ve witnessed remarkable transformations that illustrate the power of combining mindset shifts with increased self-awareness:
- A business owner who, by understanding her unique strengths and shifting to a growth mindset, transformed her business vision into a thriving new service.
- An executive who, through deep self-reflection and mindset work, overcame impostor syndrome to successfully move overseas and become a leader of an international team
These transformations aren’t just about achieving external success – they’re about creating alignment between who you are at your core and how you show up in the world. When you operate from this place of authenticity and self-awareness, you not only achieve more, but you do so in a way that feels genuine and fulfilling.
These success stories share a common thread: individuals who invested in their personal growth saw direct positive impacts on their professional success.
Your Journey Begins Now
As you read this, you might be recognizing aspects of your journey – the challenges, the doubts, the dreams. Perhaps you’re standing at a crossroads, contemplating a major life or career change. Or maybe you’re simply feeling stuck, knowing you’re capable of more but unsure how to unlock your talents and strengths.
Your mindset and your level of self-awareness are your most powerful tools for success. Your experiences, including the difficulties you’ve faced, are not limitations. With the right mindset and deep self-understanding, they become the very things that set you apart, providing you with unique insights and resilience.
Every day presents new opportunities to challenge your thinking, deepen your self-awareness, and cultivate a mindset that serves your highest aspirations. By investing in your personal growth, you’re not just changing your thoughts – you’re changing your life and your business.
As you embark on this journey, consider these questions:
- What are your top strengths, and how can you leverage them more effectively in your work or business?
- What old beliefs might be holding you back from reaching your full power?
- How aligned are your daily actions with your core values and long-term vision?
- What one step can you take today to invest in your personal growth?
This journey isn’t about becoming someone else – it’s about becoming more fully YOURSELF. It’s about uncovering your unique strengths, aligning with your values, and showing up in the world in an authentic and impactful way. As you embark on this path of mindset transformation and deepened self-awareness, you’re not just changing your circumstances – you’re expanding your view of what’s possible.
Are you ready to set out on a journey of mindset transformation and deepened self-awareness? To explore new perspectives that can lead to levels of performance, fulfillment, and impact you’ve yet to imagine?
Your path to growth and discovery starts now. And remember, you are not alone and as a certified leadership and mindset coach, I’m here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Your future self – more self-aware, resilient, resourceful, and successful – is waiting. All it takes is a commitment to personal growth to begin the journey towards becoming that person. Let’s start that journey together, and watch as both you and your business flourish.
Evgenia Baikova, a renowned mindset strategist and coach, specializes in empowering femaleentrepreneurs and novice leaders to overcome limiting beliefs and excel in their roles.