Being an entrepreneur is not always easy. The amount of mindset work, perseverance, and self-compassion necessary is like most people will never understand nor can even begin to appreciate.
How many entrepreneurs starting a business, growing a business, or re-branding their business have ever thought to themselves: "I want to quit." How many have thought, "wow, a 9 to 5 will be way easier," or "I'm not sure that I'll ever feel truly happy running my own business?"
As entrepreneurs, we must support and uplift each other. We all only have so much energy each day, and much of that we give away to clients, centers of influence, or other strategic alliances. At the end of the day, the "energy bucket" is empty, over-stressed, or just plain lacking in the happiness / fulfillment department.
My best guess is that feeling this way is NOT why you became an entrepreneur in the first place.
That's why it's really important to take care of yourself - physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially. And it's equally important to invest in yourself - not for the sake of ego (to be better) - but to be able to help others in the most beneficial way possible. The goal should be to operate in a state of balance and equanimity so that you are consistently providing your highest degree of value, and you are the same version of yourself each day, in each interaction - no matter what.
Why? Well, because 90% of people live under chronic stress and stress causes havoc on the body, mind, and spirit. It literally tears you apart. Science has proven that negative emotions (like stress, fear, frustration) narrow your focus - so you actually lose sight of the big picture. This becomes a challenge because we're all equipped with a negative confirmation bias, so we tend to see the negative first and above all else. This can become a problem. That's because when overcome with the negative, many entrepreneurs also act different: they flip over to scarcity mode, act outside of their values, and can negatively impact their business and relationships.
So, if entrepreneurs get stuck in a rut (c'mon, you don't have to be too cool to admit that this has never happened to you), then they get on the slippery slope of negativity. It's hard to get off of this slippery slope because scientific evidence shows that we need a ratio of 3 positive emotions for every 1 negative emotion. And if you're face-to-face with your challenges, emotions, frustrations, and uncertainties, then it becomes really hard to pay attention to the positive. This is especially so in my experience working with solopreneurs across the country who lack the support system needed in order to succeed, or the peer group necessary where they can just vent.
Paying attention to the positive must then become an intentional practice, and often times we need help / accountability to do that. This is some of my favorite work that I do with clients - although it really is very challenging because it forces people to dig deep. Often when clients start digging into their mindset, the feelings of "giving up," or "I'm not cut of for this" emerge all over again - but this time, less focused on the business and more focused on the self. When clients get really close to uncovering the key to changing their mindset, habits, and beliefs that's when so many want to turn back to what was comfortable / what they're used to - even if it doesn't really serve them. Growth is rarely easy. For this reason, mindset work is not work that I suggest anyone do on their own and it's why I've had coaches for the 8+ years that I've been an entrepreneur.
But, for those of you who want a quick-hit way to get started, then this YouTube video will show you: 3 Ways to Pay Attention to the Positive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgne_9H7sEU)
1) Find the Silver Lining
2) See the Positive in Yourself and Others
3) Creative Positive Go-To Staples
For me, positive go-to staples include trail running and yoga. So, today's lunch break was: a 3 mile trail run through Roosevelt National Forest and some afternoon yoga on the deck. Now, I'm feeling invigorated and renewed to get back to serving my clients with a level of value that exceeds expectations, and with a level-head.
How do you Do What Matters Most for your personal well-being, business freedom, and financial security? How do you make sure that you are the best, most balanced version of yourself each day - despite the challenges?
