(NOTE: This story was originally posted to CRN.com Dec. 1.)

It’s not always easy to excel in the rapidly transforming IT industry, but having the right mind-set is the first step to a successful career evolution, according to an Intel executive.

“There is no such thing as a fixed career journey in this industry,” said Intel Vice President Laura Crone, who spoke at the Women of the Channel Leadership Summit in New York on Thursday. “So how do you prepare when things are always changing?”

“It’s not just about working harder, or faster, or being the same as someone else. It’s really about changing your mind-set,” she said.

According to Crone, that means asking for new career opportunities and training, and forcing yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s not easy to develop a growth mind-set, but it’s particularly important in the IT industry. “A growth mind-set allows you to be more confident in times of change," she said.

Crone discussed Intel’s transformation into a platform company, and eventually, into solutions selling.

“All of these transformations required us to develop a new muscle to learn more,” Crone said.