Success in business, whatever that might look like for you, doesn’t just require a solid strategy. A strong mindset is also essential because despite what the influencers say, success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes months, often years of persistence. Trying new things, continuously growing your audience, and so on.
Not everything you try will work. Not every client will be happy with the work you do for them. That’s just how it is, and it can really hurt.
You’ll go through busy patches and there’ll be times when you doubt whether you’ll ever sign a new client again.
Throw in the challenges of every day life, the uncertainty with the economy, and the endless cycle of bad news in the media, and you can sometimes find yourself despondent and struggling to keep the show on the road.
Working to develop a positive mindset is what will get you through the tough times and find the motivation to keep going.
Just like with your business strategy, the work you do on your mindset isn’t a one and done thing. It requires sustained practice.
Here are my ten simple tips to help you cultivate a positive mindset and avoid the blues.
1) Turn off news notifications on your devices.
We’re bombarded with news 24/7, and sadly not a lot of it is of the good variety. It’s instantaneous, too. Thanks to the internet and social media, we find out about things as soon as they happen, and often it can be overwhelming.
I turned off my notifications when COVID was sweeping the globe, and I haven’t switched them back on since. I’ve also stopped following news outlets on social media, so I’m not disturbed during my day.
I choose when and how I consume the news. Instead of being bombarded with every breaking story in real time, I listen to radio bulletins when making lunch and follow up on more details later in the day.
2) Unfollow people that do your head in.
If your social feeds are filling up with negative Nigels, ranty Rachels, or boasting Billys, and it doesn’t make you feel good, unfollow them. Don’t allow them to take up your space!
Similarly, if you find yourself comparing what you do and who you are to others working in a similar space, I’d unfollow them too because you’ll only find yourself lacking. Comparison almost always leads to feelings of inadequacy and holds you back, so take action to stop it from even starting.
3) Go outside for some fresh air.
Even if you’ve got a busy day, but especially on quiet days when doubts might start to kick in, get yourself outside and move your body. It might be the last thing you want to do if it’s pouring with rain, but even a quick walk around the block does wonders for your mind.
I find that most of my best ideas come to me when I’m outside in the fresh air. When your mind is allowed to relax, the creative thoughts find space to come through.
4) Get some exercise.
It’s widely documented that physical activity boosts self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, and my Pilates and gym sessions do just that.
If you don’t like joining groups, there are loads of free workouts you can follow at home on YouTube. Check out the ‘Zumba Class’ channel and Lesley Sansone, whose workouts saved me during lockdown. Try different things to find something you enjoy and make it part of your routine.
5) Write about how you're feeling.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, grammatically correct or anything you need to share with anyone. Just write what’s on your mind. It always helps me make sense of things and stops my thoughts from going into overdrive.
6) Focus on the important people in your life.
You alone cannot fix the world’s problems so try not to get caught up worrying about them all. Focus on doing what you can for your clients and the people you love.
7) Count your blessings.
Remind yourself of everything you have to be grateful for. A good way to start is by acknowledging three things that have gone well at the end of each day.
I wrote a list of the ten things that I’m most grateful for in my life, and they’re pinned to the notice board in my office so I can regularly remind myself.
Looking back at testimonials from happy customers gives you a lovely boost too, especially if you’ve had a rubbish day. Keep copies of them all in a dedicated folder on your laptop for ease of access.
8) Allow yourself to wallow.
Don’t push your feelings aside. You’re a human, not a machine, and sometimes you have rough days.
Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with compassion and use positive words, like you would if supporting a friend.
Yes, there are people with worse problems, but that doesn’t invalidate what’s going on for you.
9) Make an effort to see people in real life.
When you work online alone at home, you can easily find your world shrinks down to the people you live with. Zoom calls with clients and connections are brilliant, but they’re no substitute for seeing people in real life. Call up some friends and arrange a catch-up.
10) Talk about how you're feeling.
I’ve always been a chatterbox, so thankfully I’ve never struggled with this but I know it’s not the same for everyone.
Please know there is no shame in feeling sad or low. Just like our bodies sometimes hurt, so too do our minds and hearts. Please talk to someone and tell them how you feel. It sounds twee but I believe in the old saying “a problem shared, is a problem halved.” Just talking about things helps lift the burden you’re carrying and may be a way to start finding solutions.
You might not know how to express what you feel exactly, but start and keep talking. The words will come as go on. 🥰
Summary
There are so many different things you can do to help cultivate a positive mindset, and I hope those I’ve listed here will help you. Which are the easiest for you to try?
Will you make a commitment to give them a go?
Block out some regular slots in your diary to make sure they happen.
Whenever you’re ready, there are various ways I can help you in your business journey. It doesn’t matter whether you’re brand new or have been going for years. Check out how you can work with me here: www.carolinebrown.online/work-with-me.
