Starting a business is like exploring a new place where no one has been before.  It’s a journey where you learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible.  It’s about hitting your boundaries and having to punch through those barriers if you are going to succeed.  

I transitioned from a structured corporate job in accounting to owning my own business. Having experienced the ups and downs firsthand, I now help other women navigate this journey.

Reflecting on my experience, I realized that mindset plays a crucial role in business success, often overlooked in favor of plans and hard work. It turns out, that how you think and what you believe plays a big role in whether your business succeeds or not.

With mindset being the biggest factor in your success, let’s talk about how to develop a success mindset.

Embrace the Unexpected

When faced with setbacks, avoid self-doubt. Instead, adopt a mindset of curiosity and growth. Approach challenges with a resounding “Fascinating!” and learn from each experience. Mastery is not the absence of failure but the relentless pursuit of improvement.

It was tough for me to get comfortable with mistakes and failures, as someone used to getting good grades and excelling at their job. However, I’ve learned that good enough is better than perfect, and mistakes and failures are part of the process, not reflections of personal inadequacy.

I’ve learned to reframe the challenges, the mistakes, and the bumps as learning opportunities and keep moving forward.

Cultivate Continuous Growth

Invest in daily intellectual nourishment. Immerse yourself in books, podcasts, and conversations that ignite your entrepreneurial spirit. Learn from those who have walked the path before you.

I tell everyone I work with that if everything is working well, you are not growing. When you grow, something breaks. As sales grow, service delivery might need changes. As leads increase, nurturing processes must improve. Personal growth follows the same pattern. Reaching new levels requires continual self-improvement. Fifteen years ago, I was a different person. My core values remain, but my communication, beliefs, and reactions have evolved.

Shield Yourself from Negativity

In a world brimming with possibilities, guard yourself against the corrosive influence of negativity. Surround yourself with positivity and optimism, for they fuel the fires of your ambition and fortify your success mindset.

I like to limit my news consumption, and when I do, I am selective about where I get my news. I also limit my time on social media and try to surround myself with those who are positive and focused on growing, learning, and solving problems rather than blaming and complaining.  

You can’t eliminate negative talk or the critical voice. You can only change how much negativity swirls around you and how you react to that voice in your head.  

Envision Your Triumph

Paint a vivid picture of your future self – thriving, fulfilled, and abundant. Let your imagination run wild, unfettered by present constraints. By envisioning your desired future daily, you anchor your aspirations in reality and pave the way for their fruition.

When I teach people to write goals, I teach them to write as if they have already happened. I get them to imagine what it would look, sound, and feel like to succeed at that goal. Your unconscious doesn’t know the difference between reality and imagination, so show what is possible. Make it believe it has already happened.

Practice Gratitude and celebrate your wins

Entrepreneurs often focus on the future—future goals, sales, or projects. We forget to celebrate wins or practice gratitude. Celebrating small successes keeps you motivated and grounded. At the end of each day, write down your wins and what you’re grateful for. Include this practice in your monthly and quarterly reviews. In meetings, start with a “good news” item.

Your wins do not have to be significant.  Success is built on small steps.

Forge Bonds of Support

Transitioning from a corporate job to a solo business can be isolating. Surround yourself with support. Join mastermind groups for advice and support. Coaches can have a significant impact, helping you change beliefs, manage emotions, and see blind spots.

In my corporate world, I had co-workers I could go to and vent, get advice, or bounce ideas off. I was part of teams that tackled projects and a large leadership team that planned together. As a small business owner, I found myself a team of one. I found it lonely and isolating, and it did not help my mindset.

It took time, but I realized that the best thing I could do for myself was surround myself with support. I like mastermind groups as a way of getting advice, support, and access to vast knowledge. My coaches, however, have had the most significant impact on me. I am a coach, and I practice what I preach. My coaches have helped me change my beliefs, rewrite strategies that don’t help, manage negative emotions, and help me see things about myself and my actions that I wouldn’t be able to see on my own.

Take Care of Yourself

Your most important asset is your health, both physical and mental. Eat healthy, move your body, and make time for rest. Initially, I sacrificed things that brought me joy, leading to resentment in my business.   Balance high-demand periods with rest. Taking care of yourself benefits your business, family, and clients.

At the start of my journey, I sacrificed many of the things that gave me joy, and over time, this led to resentment in my business. I eventually quit and tried to return to the workforce. That was not the solution.  When I returned to the entrepreneurial journey, I returned with a priority of living my best life.  Not just growing a business.   I do a better job of making time for rest, recovery, social and fun. 

Let’s be honest: we all face periods of high and low volume. Therefore, there will be periods when you must buckle down and push through. However, that can’t be the norm. You need to build in periods of rest, and you need to take care of yourself.  

Conclusion

In essence, success in entrepreneurship is not solely determined by market trends or financial acumen. Rather, it is the culmination of a steadfast belief in oneself, coupled with an unwavering commitment to growth and resilience. So, as you embark on your entrepreneurial voyage, remember: The true secret to business success lies not in external factors but in the boundless potential of your own mind. Embrace the success mindset, and watch as the world unfolds before you, ripe with infinite possibilities.

Once your mindset changes, everything on the outside will change along with it.

Steve Maraboli

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