Mindset Matters Shows How Problems Can Be Opportunities

A new class designed to teach employees and business owners how to recognize opportunities and turn ideas into action is being offered in Holdrege.

The Phelps County Development Corporation is involved in a partnership between the South Central Economic Development District and the PK Partnership to bring Mindset Matters to business owners and employees in the area.

The Mindset Matters class is an eight-week class based on lessons taught in the book “Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Lessons from and Unlikely Entrepreneur.” Janita Pavelka, a local entrepreneur, is a trained facilitator for the “Ice House” class and will teach the local program.

Pavelka said the class is for students ages 14 and older, employees and employers, current business owners and budding entrepreneurs.

“I believe it’s for everyone who needs the power to choose and know that life is not a lottery,” Pavelka said. “We have a choice on how we respond to our circumstances. It’s not about luck. It’s about recognizing problems as opportunities in disguise.”

Betty Streff of Kearney participated in Pavelka’s recent Mindset Matters class at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA and said the lessons contained in the class are relevant to everyone, not just entrepreneurs.

“The principles taught in this class are far broader than a checklist for budding entrepreneurs,” Streff said. “This is all about fostering a new way to think.  Problem-solving, resourcefulness, service and reframing failure are skills that can be used by every person in every life situation. This is excellent training for anyone, in any work, that faces the public. Furthermore, it should be part of early childhood teaching because it totally eradicates any beliefs of entitlement.”   

Alli Donohue, PCDC Project Coordinator, encourages local business owners to offer this class to employees to foster a mindset of taking ownership of their work with the hope of improved efficiency and cohesion.

Donohue said employers may be eligible to receive a grant (up to $200 per employee) through PCDC’s new Employee Training Grants program to help with training costs.

Three upcoming Mindset Matters classes are offered in April:

• 3-Day Boot Camp, April 26 & 28 from 5-8 p.m. and April 29 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Don Sjogren Community YMCA.
• Online, May 2-June 27 at 8 p.m.

For more information or to register for the class, visit nebraskaicehouse.com or contact Pavelka at (308) 995-1015 or janitapavelka@gmail.com.