Before I made the transition from corporate life to full time entrepreneur, it seemed like all anyone ever wanted to talk about were the potential downsides of owning a business.
Things like, “how are you going to pay your bills?” “why do you want to leave such a lucrative role to chase the unknown?” to well…”how are you going to pay your bills?”
And while these were valid questions, having to defend a decision or a dream over and over again can get old fast, especially when you’re in the trenches battling against the reality that everything could actually blow up in your face.
Everyday can feel like a battle, or a championship game that’s come down to the wire. How you prepare can determine whether or not you end up on the right side of the score board once that day is over.
Anything that we set out to accomplish, whether it be getting in shape, starting a business or finishing a degree has to start in our head.
So to revisit the championship game analogy, clutch moments are won more often by mental toughness than actual skill.
Here are three ways I work on getting in the zone so that I can handle life’s unexpected challenges:
Limit my daily intact of negativity.
Optimism breeds success, so I try to steer clear of pessimists and people who like to focus on worst case scenarios. I also surround myself with positive like-minded people that don’t subscribe to the poverty mentality.
Increase my tolerance to all things that cause FEAR.
The best acronym for fear is feel everything and recover. THAT message has and will continue to empower and propel me forward in the direction of my goals. Everyday I want to do something that makes me a little nervous. As I lean into and embrace the fear, I will undoubtedly accomplish more.
Create a personal mantra. Repeat when thoughts of doubt start to creep up.
You have to believe in something. Having a strong conviction or belief in yourself can give you the right amount of energy to take one more step the moment you think you can’t go anymore. My grandmother taught me a mantra about abundance, gratitude, peace and love.
Use words like ABUNDANCE for finances or contractual negotiations; GRATITUDE to give thanks and just a way to wake-up and start your day; PEACE for positive connections and when anticipating anxiety-inducing situations; LOVE just to bring the divine into everything you do.
GRATITUDE BEFORE ME
GRATITUDE BEHIND ME
GRATITUDE TO THE LEFT OF ME
GRATITUDE TO THE RIGHT OF ME
GRATITUDE ABOVE ME
GRATITUDE BELOW ME
GRATITUDE WITHIN ME
GRATITUDE ALL AROUND ME.
PEACE BEFORE ME
PEACE BEHIND ME….ETC until you’ve gone through all of the words.
How do you mentally prepare or get yourself through tough times?