Let’s face it, if you have a business or even an inkling of starting a business, you have an entrepreneurial mindset. The trick is nurturing it so you can use it as an asset and “go to it” whenever you need a boost, nudge of confidence, “kick in the pants,” or affirmation that you can do it.

There are a number of challenges that we face when building and growing a business. Think of your mindset as your secret “weapon,” your “ace in spades,” your most powerful asset. All you have to do is draw upon its wisdom, feed and nurture it, and protect it from damaging messaging.

As we begin to explore this topic, let’s start by simply defining “mindset.” Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines mindset as: “a mental attitude or inclination.” The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines mindset as: “someone’s general attitude and the way in which they think about things and make decisions.”

The concept of mindset was first formulated and popularized by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck. Dweck’s research focuses on the field of achievement and success. Her theory states that factors like intelligence and ability, while important, do not guarantee success. Rather, our mindset and our beliefs about our abilities play a key role in fueling, or dampening, our success.

In the simplest terms, your mindset is a collection of beliefs. It includes beliefs about your basic qualities like your intelligence, talents, and personality. Think about how you think about yourself. Pay close attention to words and thoughts that run through your head when thinking about yourself.

Throughout this series of posts, I am going to encourage you to “monitor your mindset” for conscious or unconscious beliefs that are impacting your mindset and your success.

We all have an inner voice… if we listen carefully and disconnect from technology for a bit. Some people call it their “inner critic.” Your inner voice impacts your mindset as well as any external messages you allow into your life. Your core values form the foundation for your beliefs. Beliefs, opinions, and attitudes all flow from your core values. Getting clear on your core values is one way to nurture your mindset. How you think of your inner voice impacts your mindset. I prefer to think of mine in a positive aspect, like a coach offering me guidance.

All of us have an inner voice. The first step to cultivating a mindset for success is to become aware of your inner voice and the tone of how it speaks to you. Once you’ve become aware of this inner voice, you’ve taken the first step toward developing it as an asset.

The wonderful thing about mindset is that it’s malleable. It can be developed or evolved. The negative mindset that’s holding you back was shaped through experiences in the past and learned habits of thinking. Through even the smallest shifts in awareness or thinking habits, you can make profound differences, and eventually take control of your mindset and steer it toward positivity and success.

Your entrepreneurial mindset enables you to identify opportunities, take calculated risks, and innovate to create value. It emphasizes creativity, innovation, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Entrepreneurs with this mindset are not afraid to take risks and are willing to learn from their failures. They are driven by a passion for their work and are committed to achieving their goals. An entrepreneurial mindset is critical for adapting to changing circumstances, such as shifts in the market or changes in technology. It enables you to stay ahead of the curve and to be proactive in your approach to business.