Get into the right state of mind for more success in business.
“The most successful people have great expectations that success is going to occur for them,” says Joshua Zuchter, a business and life coach in Toronto.
Follow this advice to help keep yourself and your business on the positive side:
> Create an inspirational workspace
Stay positive with some motivational memorabilia.
Decorate your workspace with inspirational posters or items that lift your spirits, such as photos of family and friends, says Zuchter. Or you can use items that remind you of a favourite hobby. For instance, if you are a big baseball fan, include baseball paraphernalia in your office.
“Have things in your space that make you feel good and optimistic,” he says.
> Visualize your successes (even the little ones)
Take a moment to think of something positive when you are feeling stressed.
“Just take a few moments, even if it’s only 30 seconds,” Zuchter says. “That’s sometimes enough to break a negative mindset. It’s like pressing ‘pause’ on a negative thought.”
During that 30 seconds, visualize a goal. Depending on how frazzled you are feeling, it might be a larger goal, such as managing a book worth $500 million in the next five years, or a smaller goal, such as having a great client interview in the next five minutes.
> Take a walk
Go outside for a stroll in the fresh air to help clear your head and keep you optimistic.
Stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the office can help you refocus on your goals. A brisk walk for five to 15 minutes can help relieve stress and make you feel “recharged,” Zuchter says.
> Get help
A coach can help you keep a positive attitude and your business on track.
“I’m a little biased,” Zuchter says, “but I highly recommend everyone works with a specialist or a coach.”
A coach or consultant enables you to work with someone who is outside of your experience and can offer unbiased, professional advice.
> Look for role models
Identifying a mentor or role model can show you the kind of success that’s possible.
It’s best to select a mentor you can meet and speak with, Zuchter says. However, if that’s not possible, you can look for role models you don’t know personally, but would like to identify with.
Research a role model’s successes and belief systems, says Zuchter. You can start by reading the person’s biography.
If there are several people you admire and respect, Zuchter says, study all of them and create a list of the qualities that make them successful. That way you have a list of goals to aim for.
For example, was it the person’s strong work ethic, integrity or method of embracing risk that made him or her successful? Concentrating on those qualities will help you stay focused and positive about what you can do by following in their footsteps.
> Move on
Bad days happen no matter how positive your outlook. The trick is not to dwell on them.
“Be at peace with failing, but make sure more of your time is spent on expecting success,” Zuchter says. No matter how successful your business is, you’re bound to have a bad week in which you lose a client or an investment takes a downturn.
When that happens, brush it off and move on to the next task or goal.
IE