A New Year
It’s a new year and the start of a new year brings new opportunities to take on fresh challenges and try new things. It’s also a good time to reflect on your small business and explore ways to strengthen your mindset as a way to improve your business. Your mindset impacts how you think, how you approach challenges, and what you believe is possible. Changing your mindset is about choosing to think in a certain way even if what you’re seeing and hearing tells you to think otherwise. Being a business owner isn’t for the faint of heart, it requires resilience, self-confidence, and, for many, a new way of thinking.
While self-doubt is common, especially among women who are navigating leadership and entrepreneurial roles, it’s possible to overcome these feelings and become more confident in your actions and how you think. How can this be done? We have a few ideas.
Preparation
Being organized and prepared can significantly boost your confidence. When you have a clear plan of action, and the right tools in place, you’re better equipped to handle what lies ahead. As the famous quote attributed to Louis Pasteur says, “Chance favours the prepared mind.” Some practical steps you can take include using calendars, planners, and to-do lists to stay organized and on track with your goals and obligations. Additionally, having essentials like a prepared elevator pitch, an up-to-date website, a ready professional bio, and a supply of business cards at hand, can all help you feel more confident and be prepared for any opportunities that may come your way.
Enumerate Your Strengths
We all have strengths and when times get tough it can sometimes be hard to remember them. When we’re aware of our strengths this awareness can make us more confident and therefore more capable of believing in the best. Reflect on your skills, talents, and the qualities that set you apart. If you find it difficult to pinpoint your strengths, ask trusted friends, family members, colleagues, or mentors for their perspective. You might be surprised by the traits they highlight, giving you a new sense of assurance.
Shift Your Mindset
One way to boost your confidence is by intentionally shifting your mindset. Many do this is by using affirmations, which are short, positive statements you regularly repeat to yourself. Affirmations can reframe your thinking, helping to replace self-doubt and with a more optimistic and empowered outlook.
Some examples of affirmations you can use are : “I am capable of overcoming challenges,” “I am worthy of success,” or “I have the skills to achieve my goals.”
Changing your mindset doesn’t change overnight, but taking small intentional steps can help transform your year in business and in life.
Read last year’s post about self-doubt.
