Getting caught in the mindset trap happens to all of us. Only when we wake up and become aware of how our thoughts are influencing our beliefs and actions, can we intentionally avoid the trap.

Thinking – is the birth of feeling. We are constantly thinking and talking to ourselves. These internal conversations are called self-talk. Listen to what you’re saying to yourself in the privacy of your own mind. Positive, uplifting and optimistic self-talk will lead to feelings of happiness and healthy dose of self-worth. If the tone of your thoughts is self-recriminating, resistant, or pessimistic, you’ll inevitably feel down, unworthy, and not good enough. This is the trap.

We are warriors in the trenches of our own businesses; working hard to create a business we love, moving through the feast and famine cycle, waffling between the wild emotional swings of confidence and despair.

Taking the time to pause and reflect in your business is highly underrated. Building thinking time or time to reflect, into your schedule is one of the secrets to avoiding the mindset trap.

During one of these moments of intentional reflection, remember your experience, wisdom and past successes to help you regain confidence, which may have slipped out the back door. Acknowledge the limiting beliefs that are holding you back from taking the next step you’ve wanted to take in your business. It’s no fun being held hostage by fear of failure, expectation, disapproval, comparison, perfectionism, or any other artificial belief you might have about yourself or abilities.

Courage – you have it. Each of us has a still, small voice inside that speaks to us continuously. The trouble is that we seldom listen to that voice. Yet, if we let it, that inner wisdom that constantly speaks to us is our greatest guide. We act courageously multiple times per day, even though we may not realize it!

Fear – our greatest obstacle. By transforming your inner dragons and owning your own excellence, you become more able to honour yourself and your process and, as a result, move ever closer to healthy self-esteem and independence. Give yourself permission to know what a fantastic person you are. Be kind and encouraging – gently congratulate yourself on your successes and comfort yourself after you get knocked back.

Failure – is a mindset. It’s not tied to anything except our own expectations of where we think we should be versus the reality of where we are. It is one of the many false beliefs we have in this world. Approach each “failure” as an opportunity to reflect and learn. Remember everything in life happens for a reason. There is no good or bad; it just is.

What are some of the tools and techniques you employ in your business to avoid the mindset trap? Please share your comments in the box below, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Courage: you have it. Fear: our greatest obstacle. Failure: is a mindset.