Reeling from a failure? Perhaps an attitude change could help

Whether it's learning a new skill or responding to criticism, a growth mindset can help you succeed in business

When Bill Gates is mentioned you probably picture him as Microsoft's philanthropic, billionaire co-founder. But there is another side to the story: before he became the world's richest person Gates was a struggling entrepreneur.

His first business, Traf-O-Data (a technology company aimed at minimising traffic congestion) failed to become a big success. But rather than giving up and getting a regular nine-to-five job, Gates and his partner Paul Allen went on to build Microsoft's first product a couple of years later. Allen has said that Traf-O-Data's relative failure proved to be a vital learning process - a reaction that reveals him and Gates to share a growth mindset. This means using challenges and setbacks as an opportunity to develop and erring on the side of positivity. But it's more difficult to consistently take this attitude than it may seem.