4 Positive business mantras worth repeating

Starting your own business is sorta like auditioning for American Idol, your family and friends will encourage you to follow your dreams, but it can be hard to find the support once the fame disappears. As many entrepreneurs and business starters know, success is achievable, but hardship is inevitably not far behind. So, what do you tell yourself to keep your business running, even when support from others is hard to find? Here are some mantras to live by.

“I don’t need anyone’s approval.”

In a world filled with naysayers, it can be hard to remain true to one’s vision. How many times have our parents “gently” tried to tell us that maybe we would be better suited in another career field, sports activity, or that we just weren’t meant to get the part in the third-grade school play? Whatever the goal is, you need to block out all of the negative thoughts and focus on your dream. While having a plan is practical, oftentimes focusing on a “Plan B” can make “Plan A” disappear much more quickly. This is why many people don’t obtain their personal goals, as they were too focused on making a safety net. Essentially, this mindset sets you up for failure, as you’re telling yourself that you will fail; therefore, needing the back-up plan. So, remember to stick to what you want and not what others’ deem is best for you. If all else fails, make yourself a board with your goal on it and the steps, or pictures of steps, that will get you there. Visualize and internalize your success! Remember, you don’t need anyone’s approval.

“I am not a failure.”

This mantra is a bit easy to understand with some backwards thinking. For instance, the fact that you are reading this article and learning more about how you can better yourself as a person proves that you are not a failure. No one who is pursuing something they love or desire to know more about is a failure in any way, shape, or form. The only reason business owners think this way is when others remind them of a low financial quarter, or family members are unaccepting of the business’s idea, etc. When you realize that the world is what makes you think this way, you will stop believing you are a failure. Remember, money will come and go, but you will always have the satisfaction of chasing down your goals–a daring move that many do not have the courage to do!

“Things will get better.”

We’ve all been there. Money is low, emotions are high, something goes wrong in the business, etc. First off, know that you’re not alone. If you don’t believe me, read about some of the most influential celebrities and where they were at the age of 22 (I recommend Oprah, Tina Fey, or Robin Williams). Some of our society’s greatest contributors came from a past of financial difficulty, childhood trauma, or even homelessness. But, look where they are now! If you let yourself resign to whatever stress is keeping you and your business down, there is no doubt that you will fail. However, if you remind yourself (and possible employees) that circumstances will improve, there is no telling how far you can bounce back. The goal is to keep going…or as Dory from Finding Nemo so eloquently put it, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.”

“I’m not afraid to leave people behind.”

The answer to defeating the negative mindset of having to leave others behind is simple: those who do not bring you positivity will fall away on their own. Oftentimes, we concoct this image in our heads of becoming a superstar who must leave all loved ones behind in order to obtain success– this is false. This visual idea stems from poorly written movies that show  how fame changes a person into a monster. Where this has happened in several scenarios, the actuality of you becoming the next boss in “The Devil Wears Prada” is unlikely. What you do need to remember is that others who do not benefit you, should not be allowed in your inner circle. Too many times we waste energy on positivity-vampires. These vampires are those who will do anything to “suck” the happiness and drive out of you, only to bring you down to their level. It is quite easy to spot these individuals in your life, as you will notice quickly who is supportive of your successes and who always has the first critique. Remember, change is natural; it is when you are uncomfortable that growth begins. You do not need to be afraid of leaving others behind, for they will either step up to your expectations or latch onto someone else.

Have some more positive mantras worth knowing? Share in the comments below what keeps your business and mindset going!