Running a startup is like embarking on a personal growth journey, and any person who is in between his entrepreneurship journey can relate to this!
It’s not just a choice but a necessity when you are deeply passionate about your idea. Like a superhero, you are determined to overcome any obstacle that stands in the way of achieving your dreams. While challenges like funding, team building, and selling your idea arise as you progress, the first and most significant obstacle you encounter is yourself. To become a successful entrepreneur, you need to equip yourself with the right ingredients for growth, such as a growth mindset, good health, resilience, and perseverance. These qualities are built over time, shaping you into the person you need to be as an entrepreneur.
The Inner Obstacles of Entrepreneurship
As I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I quickly realized that I had to take on various roles besides being the founder. I became a dietician, fitness trainer, counselor, mentor, and even the role of a cheerleader for myself when and as needed. Countless moments arose when my inner voice urged me to give up or succumb to the challenges I faced. During such moments, it often felt like I was walking through a dark tunnel, struggling to find a source of light to keep me going. However, something always happened that brought me back on track. Whether it was my inner compass guiding me or receiving guidance from experienced friends, the journey continued.
The Importance of Physical and Mental Wellness
To ensure my entrepreneurial journey remained on track, I understood the crucial role that physical and mental wellness played in my life. Medical challenges forced me to become a seeker of knowledge, searching for ways to care for myself and maintain mental fitness.
I want to ensure that I make the most of my time and avoid falling ill or getting sick.
Like a dietician, I started monitoring my diet, applying mindfulness to the types of food I consumed, and understanding the importance of monitoring the quality and quantity of food. I even changed the timing of my food intake to optimise my energy levels.
My fitness journey led me to explore practices like yoga, and I discovered the wonders of bollyaerobics, which I wholeheartedly recommend to everybody. I found great enjoyment in following the ‘Dance with Preeti’ videos on YouTube, combining exercise with dance for a fun-filled workout experience. The best part is that I can do it all in the comfort of my home office, saving time by not going to a studio.
Discovering Ways to Relax and Stay Focused
Furthermore, I explored various relaxation techniques such as meditation, various types of breathing techniques, and journaling. These practices helped me maintain focus and clarity amidst the chaos of entrepreneurship. I also gained new knowledge about the significance of listening to alpha music. It is said that harnessing your brain’s alpha waves can help you enter a flow state, which allows you to do deep work with less effort. Alpha waves induce feelings of calm, increase creativity, and enhance your ability to absorb new information while working and meditating. Although the choice of practices may vary depending on personal preferences, yes, listening to instrumental music while working has helped me a lot in getting the right focus. Whenever I faced a challenge, I sought out solutions to overcome my limited mindset. Additionally, I found the power of affirmations and realized the impact of the content I consumed on my overall well-being. Knowledge shared by inspirational figures like Joe Dispenza, Bruce Lipton, Mel Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey helped me a lot to become a better version of myself. Videos by Bruce Lipton on the ‘Biology of belief -the key to rewiring your mind’ has greatly strengthened my self-belief. Simon Sinek’s video on “Start with Why” helped me gain clarity on my purpose. One podcast I will strongly recommend to everybody is https://hubermanlab.com. Andrew Huberman, PhD, is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology and, by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. His podcast is frequently ranked in the Top 15 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of science, education, and health & fitness.
Essential Practices for Personal Growth
Emotional intelligence, listening skills, journaling, and morning planning have become essential components of my daily routine. These practices help me structure my 1,440 minutes each day, ensuring that I make the most of my time. Finding mentors has been instrumental in my growth, as I have discovered that there are many experts whom we can approach for help and who willingly share their wisdom to help you.
The Commitment to Personal Growth
Running a startup requires a deep commitment to continuous personal growth. It entails stepping outside your comfort zone, refusing to settle, embracing vulnerability, testing yourself, and breaking through your limits and beliefs about what you can achieve. While every center, institute, or course may teach you the necessary actions for entrepreneurship, such as business development, idea generation, and pitching, the journey remains incomplete until you upgrade the entrepreneur within yourself. By acquiring the right skills and knowledge, being ready to adapt to situations, and facing challenges head-on, you will truly transform into the entrepreneur you aspire to be.
The entrepreneurial journey is a transformative experience that shapes not only your business but also yourself as a person. It requires resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset. As you navigate the challenges and obstacles along the way, it is essential to prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Remember that personal growth is an ongoing process, and by continuously investing in yourself, you will not only become a successful entrepreneur but also a better version of yourself.
The challenges persist within my startup, and there remains a multitude of tasks requiring attention. However, with a steadfast commitment to personal excellence, I find myself better equipped with the mindset necessary to tackle these obstacles head-on and discover solutions.
In light of this, I want to invite readers to contribute their valuable insights and experiences pertaining to their personal growth journeys while managing their own ventures. Your input and perspectives are greatly appreciated.
Charu Mehrotra
Founder Online Magazine
Also read: Building Trust and Credibility through Authentic Digital Branding for Startups
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