You are your biggest critic. We have been told time and time again that success can only be achieved if we believe in our own skills, but sometimes it’s difficult to see the positive qualities we already possess. Whether it’s our inner or outer beauty, our strengths or weaknesses, or our business potential – we tend to see our flaws before we notice our skills. As Mary Williamson notes in Our Greatest Fear, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” You have the potential to achieve greatness if you let your own strengths shine through.
Recently, Dove released a video for their Real Beauty campaign titled “Dove Real Beauty Sketches.” Only 4 percent of women around the world consider themselves beautiful. Dove is committed to inspiring and teaching all women and girls to reach their full potential. The social experiment shown in the video gathered several women and had them describe themselves for a forensic artist to sketch. Then, he drew sketches based on descriptions by others. When the women saw the images, it was evident that there was a disparity between their image and how others saw them. The goal of the social experiment was to prove one thing: you are more beautiful than you think.
Like Dove’s campaign, we believe that the first step towards unleashing your potential is to realize that you are better than you think you are. How do you maintain this positive mindset during times of deep entrepreneurial stress?
- Conduct daily positive affirmations every morning – either by yourself, with your partner, or with your team. One example to work off of is “I am awesome because….”
- Join an accountability group. One outlet I enjoy being a part of that provides this is Entrepreneurs’ Organization. Find your local chapter here at eonetwork.org.
- Make a gratitude list nightly — and make sure to include your abilities and accomplishments in that list!
- Meditation and yoga. No question about it, yoga has given me the peace of mind and clarity to see things as they are without getting caught up in the negativity that the day-to-day of business ownership can rain down on an ego. Consider taking a yoga or meditation class weekly.
Hard work and dedication pay off, and matched with the sense of self and confidence that you can accomplish your goals and achieve your dreams, you’re sure to find success along the way.
How do you maintain a positive sense of self while trying to grow your business?