by Donna Toothaker
When you run your own business, creating and fostering a positive mindset is the one most important thing you must do to put yourself – and keep yourself — on track for success.
The foundation to building a positive business mindset is personal integrity — knowing who you are, what your gifts are, what your mission is, and having the strength of your convictions. You need to ensure that your business mission and practices are in alignment with your personal beliefs, ethics and motivations. When you have created your business around a strong ethic and focus, you know where you want your business to go, how you want to get there, and why.
When you have a positive mindset based on personal integrity and authenticity, it is easy to bring on the best team members and clients, to create and market services and packages that reflect your passion, make consistent business decisions, and establish a strong reputation and “brand.” You are less likely to take on the “wrong” clients, offer services you don’t like to carry out just to build your client roster, and make other iffy decisions based on what you need “at the moment.”
When your business goals are in alignment with your core values and passion, when you are not simply getting through this day, week, or month, stomping out fires, you are more likely to take things one step at a time, and less likely to fall victim to overwhelm. Your time and energy are freed up to allow you to focus more on the long view. Success is not complicated – it’s a matter of being persistent and focused on a daily basis.
Here is an easy exercise to help you get your business mindset into focus:
a. Write down the three key reasons why you LOVE your business.
b. Write down the three key ways in which your business is of VALUE to the world, and read them aloud.
c. Take the top reason from each list, and combine the two into one. This is your business mindset “mantra.”
d. Keep your mantra in a place where you will see it often throughout the day. Say your mantra aloud every morning as you are about to begin your day. Reflect upon it throughout the day or whenever you begin to feel overwhelm or doubt.
Fostering a mindset for success is as simple as knowing who you are, and why your work is of value in the world, and using that knowledge as the foundation for your daily decision making and action plan. By aligning your actions and decisions with your core values on a daily basis, you are giving yourself the gift of authenticity, clarity and focus that will create ease in bringing your gifts to the world.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this – please leave your comments below!
Donna Toothaker is CEO, founder and coach of Step It Up VA Coaching. These highly sought-after VA coaching programs have been created for established, successful VAs who wish to create the 6-figure business of their dreams. Visit http://www.stepitupva.com to receive the free report, Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid in Creating a 6-Figure VA Business.
