Running a business can be like a mental marathon. When stress, setbacks and decision overload hit (and they will), it’s your mindset that will help you stay on track and keep these things from knocking you off your game.
Here are five daily mental habits resilient entrepreneurs that you can start doing today. Start small with one or two of these. Rarely does anything work quickly, so stay consistent in your efforts and be patient. Keep showing up and watch your mental game transform your life and your business.
1. Start the Day on Your Own Terms
Starting the day on your own terms as a small business owner is about starting the day with intention rather than reacting. When you run a business, it’s easy to wake up and immediately dive into emails, texts, client requests or putting out the latest fire. But by doing that, you put other people in charge of your day (and mindset).
Here are four better ways to start your day:
- Writing. Stream of consciousness writing is a great way to generate ideas or gain clarity on existing ideas. This style of writing is simply writing as fast as you can, without editing yourself, until you fill up a page.
- List 1 - 3 tasks you will (and can) complete for the day. It may only take you 10 minutes to do these tasks, or they could take several hours. The goal is to stay focused and finish those tasks before moving on to anything else. Completing these tasks will give you a sense of accomplishment and will energize you to work on any additional tasks you have for the day.
- Read something inspiring or educational. This sets the tone for the day. Filling your mind with something positive first thing in the morning is much better than turning on the news. Keep negative information and anything else that is not related to building a better life and growing your business out of your mind.
- Meditate or do deep breathing exercises. Meditation does not have to be complicated. Simply be still for a few minutes and consciously work on calming your mind. You could combine meditation with deep breathing exercises. One method you can try is the 4-7-8 technique. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds. Do this a few times during the day when you feel stressed or tense to help your body relax.
Doing all of the above (or even one) will help you better deal with stress, improve your decision making and increase your productivity. You are also less likely to be bothered by the chaos around you.
2. Practice “Mental Hygiene” Throughout the Day
Think of your mindset like your physical health. It needs maintenance. Resilient entrepreneurs check in with their thoughts the same way they check their schedule. Here are a few things to consider. Pause before reacting to stress; notice negative self-talk and reframe it; take short “reset breaks” to walk, stretch and breath. This will keep your mind from being in survival mode all day and help you think more clearly.
3. “Zoom Out” and See The Big Picture
Doing this helps avoid shiny object syndrome and distractions; makes it easier to delegate and prioritize; and clarifies decision making. It’s easy to get caught in the weeds. Resilient entrepreneurs regularly take a step back to reconnect with their bigger vision.
Consider these four questions:
- What’s the actual priority now?
- Will this matter in 6 months?
- Is this aligned with why I started?
- Is this the business I wanted to build?
Big-picture thinking allows you to see your business in a new light. You will make better long-term decisions, develop enhanced problem solving abilities and be able to identify and have a more clear focus on your goals.
4. Limit Mental Clutter
Every decision costs energy. Resilient business owners simplify where they can to reduce friction and free up brain space. Consider using time blocking where you schedule specific blocks of time on your calendar to focus on specific tasks. You can use checklists and systems, so you don’t have to remember everything. Also, learn how to say “no” more often.
Mental energy is finite. Protect it like you would protect your profit margin.
5. Reflect…Even If It's For 5 Minutes
The most resilient entrepreneurs build self-awareness. They don’t just move from one task to the next. They pause and learn. At the end of the day, they ask questions, such as...
- What worked today?
- Is there something that drained me?
- Which accomplishments am I proud of?
- Where can I adjust tomorrow?
This will help you gain more insight into what's working, allow you to make intentional progress, and increase your productivity. It's much more effective than just barreling through each day in a panic not taking time to understand what's really happening in your business.
Final Thoughts
Resilience isn’t a personality trait. It’s a daily practice. These 5 habits might seem small, but they add up fast. And the more pressure you’re under, the more your mental game matters.
Start with one. Build from there. Your business can only grow as far as your mindset can carry it.
Let me know how I can help you in your business. Click here to schedule a free 15-minute discovery call. You can also call or text 615-308-8078 or send an email to mike@mikecoleman.net.
Best,
Mike Coleman