Entrepreneurship is a kind of job which takes a toll on your mind.  Hence, only people who are mentally strong survive the crazy business world.  Here are some traits which mentally strong people showcase, which anyone dreaming of becoming an entrepreneur should inculcate.

Traits of mentally strong people

1) Avoid feeling sorry for themselves

Whenever you try something new, there is always a risk of failing.  In such cases, many people tend to feel bad about themselves and start comparing their lives to others’ lives.  However, a person who is mentally strong, instead of feeling sorry, tries to learn something from the circumstances in which they are.  Instead of dwelling on their mistakes and failures, they take the lessons learned from them and try to better their future endeavors. Arianna Huffington, the founder of the Huffington Post, had her books rejected 36 times before getting it published.  Even with the continuous failures, Huffington did not give up on her dreams and now is considered one of the most influential women in the world.

2) Have the ability to say no

According to a research study, people who lack the ability to say no to others are likely to suffer from anxiety, stress and depression.  Mentally strong people know the importance of saying no when the situation calls for it. They are equipped with confidence and foresights to distinguish which task it is to which they should say no.  They give priority to their previous commitments by saying no to any new ones. Such determination helps them become successful. The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, always stresses on how saying no creates successful people.  He himself follows the rule by saying no to most social gatherings and uses the time to do activities which he believes are productive and contribute to his life.

3) Embracing change

Mentally strong people have the ability to embrace change.  They are flexible and are able to adapt to any kind of change which comes their way.  They always have a plan of action for cases where any kind of change occurs. They recognize the opportunities created by such changes and try to capitalize on them, in turn making them more successful.  When famous inventor Thomas Edison’s factory burned down in a fire in 1914, it destroyed some unique prototypes. However, instead of stressing about the damage, Edison, who was 67 at the time, embraced the change by saying all his failures and mistakes burned down but he would start over again the next day, which he did.  He quickly started working on reconstruction plans with his employees the next day and did not back down. Six months later, he gave a demonstration of a new invention, a battery driven light source. Edison had come up with the idea of this invention and design while watching the firefighters douse the fire at his laboratory with difficulty due to lack of power and light.

4) They have a positive attitude

The most important trait of mentally strong people is they have a positive attitude.  Whether it is a successful pitch to investors, failing economics or a failed business, people with strong mentality don’t lose their optimism when faced with such difficulties.  Instead of feeling like a failure, they try to find alternative methods to forward their careers. Kathryn Minshew, the co founder of The Muse, even after losing access to her website PYP Media and the savings she invested in it, did not lose her positive attitude.  She took the failure as a lesson and went on to create the website The Muse by working alongside team members of her previous company.

5) Practice delayed gratification

Resisting any kind of temptation requires a strong determination.  Mentally strong people understand great things happen to those who wait.  Many people hope to achieve more faster and without any effort. However, mentally strong people know the results of your efforts come with time and hard work.  LinkedIn co founder Reid Hoffman founded a social networking site which ultimately failed. Even after facing such failure, Hoffman didn’t stop and eventually built one of the most famous and successful websites in the world, LinkedIn.

Did we miss any other traits of mentally strong people?  Comment below and let us know.

When you are a newbie starting your entrepreneurial journey, it is important to have someone who can guide you through the various phases of the industry.  A mentor is a person who provides you guidance, support and feedback, which can help you further grow your career. A mentor can be anyone, a friend, a family member or a professor.  So what makes a person a great mentor? Let’s look at five traits which make a person a great mentor.

Traits to look for in a mentor

1) Relevant knowledge

First and foremost, you should find a mentor who has knowledge and experience in the field in which you are interested.  With his/her experience in the field, your mentor will be able to help you make the right decisions regarding your business and will guide you in your entrepreneurial journey.

2) Honesty

Another key trait one should look for in a mentor is honesty.  Your mentor should be completely honest while giving you feedback on your work and point out your mistakes, without sugarcoating their words.  A good mentor should be able to have an open dialogue with you and be able to help you realise your strengths and weaknesses.

3) Willingness to share knowledge

You can find a mentor who is honest and have knowledge about the industry in which you are interested, but your mentor should also be able to teach the importance of such experiences and knowledge to you.  He should also be willing to take the time to do it, as mentoring someone takes a lot of time and effort. 

4) Positive attitude

A good mentor should always be filled with positive attitude and enthusiasm about the work they are doing and the field in which they are.  Without a positive attitude, your mentor can not guide you properly or encourage you to continue your entrepreneurial journey. An enthusiastic mentor will benefit you in many ways.  As enthusiasm is contagious, it will motivate you to work towards your goal.

5) Sets a good example

A person always wants to have a mentor who continues to set good examples in their chosen industry.  A good mentor repeatedly sets example by achieving personal and professional goals and by being respected by everyone in the industry.  A good mentor, through his personal and professional success, motivates others to do the same.

A mentor is an important figure in anyone’s life.  Through their personal experiences and insights, a mentor can help a person achieve the level of success they never thought they could achieve on their own.

If we missed any other important traits of a good mentor, comment below and let us know.

In the world of entrepreneurship, people with strong self control seem to succeed and achieve great success.  These are people who are able to do everything and excel at their life goals. Fortunately, the habit of self control is a taught one and one can master the skill with determination.  Here are five tips which can help anyone master the art of self discipline.

How to master self discipline

1) Set a clear goal

It’s easy to get distracted or discouraged if you don’t have a particular goal in your mind.  In order to master self discipline, one should have a clear idea about what your end result will be.  It is always better to have an end goal in your mind and a clear set of steps which will keep you motivated to achieve the goal.

2) Remove temptations

An important step to master self discipline is to avoid temptations.  Having temptations, however small or big, will always urge you to overlook your long term goals.  The best way to improve your self discipline is to remove the greatest temptation from your environment.  For example, if you want to improve your productivity at your work and get good results, turn off your phone or mute the notifications on it to concentrate on your work.

3) Small steps

The process of self discipline may seem difficult to achieve at the beginning.  It requires you to find your weakness and working on improving it. It can be pretty overwhelming to let go of your weaknesses all of a sudden.  Therefore, it is a good idea to start with baby steps. For example, if one of your goals is to save money to start your own business, start by cutting down unnecessary expenses, one step at a time.

4) Eat regularly

According to researchers, not eating regularly can affect your mood and willpower immensely.  Skipping your meals results in low blood sugar, which weakens the resolve of a person. It also affects a person’s ability to concentrate as well.  A weakened willpower will result in you compromising your progress, be it in your work or personal life. Hence, it is always best to keep yourself fuelled throughout the day with healthy food.

5) Reward yourself

Lastly, rewarding oneself for achieving one’s goal is a good way to stay motivated and move forward.  Having a reward in your mind drives you to work harder to reach your set goal. Once you reach a goal and collect your reward, it will motivate you further to work on a new goal. 

It is really important to have self discipline while starting or running a business.  It gives you courage and keeps you motivated to achieve big things. 

If you think we missed any tips about how one can master self discipline, comment below and let us know.