Starting and growing a business is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. The road to startup success is full of mental and emotional demands, but the best founders can navigate a path in the face of uncertainty.
Trust is the pillar of the founder's journey. You must learn to trust yourself, and trust that things will work out in line with to your intentions and goals. When negative thoughts come into your mental space, it's imperative to use the tools that help you stay positive and focused.
Daily mantras are effective tools that help you tap into the power of positive thinking and stay aligned with what you want to create. Here are seven powerful mantras to practice when you're in the trenches of your startup, and your mind.
I see opportunity
Stress and fear can limit our imagination, blocking us from developing bigger and better visions of the future. But if you believe in your ability to see, your eyes will be open up to new solutions and ideas.
When you look for opportunity, you create it. Use this mantra to remind yourself that you can see opportunity.
I am creative and resourceful
This mantra will help you focus on your abilities. Remember how talented, capable and resourceful you are. Encourage yourself with phrases like, "I've got this," and, "Look how far I've come," rather than focusing on how far you are from your goal.
I anticipate a pleasant surprise
It's easy to expect the worst from a given situation when things aren't going well. By training our minds to focus on anticipating a pleasant surprise, however, we can shift the lens through which we see the world.
This mantra will help you open up to the possibility of having an unexpected and desirable outcome. You'll begin seeing the evidence of positive occurrences rather than disappointment.
I am frustrated, and it's ok
Frustration is an emotion that can lead to positive change, so instead of avoiding it or beating yourself up for being negative, embrace it. Frustration and anger are good emotions. They will motivate you to say "enough is enough," and to change your circumstances.
I see the big picture
Building great things takes time, and when times are tough, your vision can narrow. It's in those moments that it's critical to maintain a big picture perspective. This mantra will help you accept where you're at, while also keeping your greater vision in mind.
I am grateful
Your attitude and outlook will change when you view life through a lens of gratitude, no matter your circumstances. When I started focusing on gratitude, I became less focused on what I lacked and more aware of what I already had. It gave me the sense of freedom and empowerment that ultimately helped me start SkyBell.
I focus on the inputs
When results aren't coming in or users aren't signing up, results-oriented individuals can get caught up in the numbers and panic.
Take a tip from Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and focus on inputs instead of outcomes. Experiment with new processes and approaches. If one effort fails, change the inputs and try another. Find joy in optimizing inputs and don't tie your happiness to expectations and results.
You can't always control your circumstances, but you can control your mindset. Maintaining a positive mindset is critical for success as an entrepreneur. Pick the mantra that works best for you. Say it out loud and often. Save it on your phone's home screen. Set alarms or reminders to meditate on it. Famous personal improvement expert Dr. Wayne Dyer said it best: "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
