Entrepreneurial mindset: A mindset for life!

Creating products and meeting customer needs is tough. I've faced many challenges over my 13 years leading digital products for brands like Sky and Lego.

However, the pressures of being an intrapreneur with large teams and budgets are very different from the struggles that start-ups face. It can be a lonely and difficult path, especially with the stress of financing and survival that entrepreneurs face daily.

Did you know that 90% of start-ups fail? However, successful founders often credit their entrepreneurial mindset — resilience, confidence, flexibility, curiosity and purpose.  Developing this mindset is challenging and many falter along the way. So, how can we help entrepreneurs build and sustain this mindset?

I've explored various techniques to strengthen my entrepreneurial mindset, benefiting my professional and personal life. I believe an entrepreneurial mindset is more than a set of business skills and attributes, it's a mindset for life!

It has become my goal to bring the best of these into a solution that can truly help people get to the finish line before they give up. Your input will make sure I get it right.

Along with developing these tools, communities like Enterprise Nation are crucial for supporting founders and aspiring entrepreneurs. Developing this mindset is challenging and many falter along the way, but it is our best hope.

The importance of an entrepreneurial mindset

An entrepreneurial mindset is more than just a set of skills, it's a way of thinking that drives innovation and success. Entrepreneurs with a strong mindset are better equipped to navigate the uncertainties of business, adapt to changing circumstances and seize new opportunities. 

This mindset includes:

• Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks and continue moving forward

• Confidence: Belief in one's abilities and decisions

• Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to new information and changing environments

• Curiosity: A desire to learn and explore new ideas

• Purpose: A clear understanding of one's goals and motivations

Watch this webinar to understand what gets in the way of confidence – the judgement process:

So, how can we help entrepreneurs build and sustain this mindset?  I’m leveraging my product experience and MSc in Entrepreneurship to create meaningful solutions that reinforce these entrepreneurial attributes. I hope, with your input, to create tools to build this within us throughout the journey. Your input, just by following the survey link, will help kick this off: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EVIJRO.

In the meantime, the slow way is better than no way, so I do have some refreshers to keep in mind.

Tips for developing an entrepreneurial mindset

1. Embrace challenges: Feel the fear (or notice the procrastination) then put it down. View obstacles as opportunities to grow and learn. Each challenge you overcome builds resilience and confidence, so take a bite and keep biting

2. Stay curious: Continuously seek out new knowledge and experiences. Talk to the people who scare you, reach out and ask questions. This keeps your mind open to new possibilities and innovation

3. Build a support network: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who can provide support, advice, and inspiration. Right here on Enterprise Nation, the start-up groups are excellent for connecting with other entrepreneurs

4. Set clear goals: You know what they are, but put a time to it. Having a clear sense of purpose helps you stay focused and motivated. Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed

5. Learn from failure: It’s tough, but accept it. Mostly we humans give up before really digging in just to avoid it. Accept that failure is a part of the entrepreneurial journey. Analyse your mistakes, learn from them and use them as stepping stones to success

6. Keep plugging for funding assistance: Learn about funding options and get support in preparing applications and pitches. Plan your applications into your work time. If you are truly serving a customer need, there is someone out there waiting to help you, but you have to get good at asking for it and providing the right information

Mental health and entrepreneurship

Consider this: 45% of founders rate their mental health as 'bad' or 'very bad', 61% have considered leaving their company and 49% are contemplating doing so in the coming year. These statistics are alarming but not insurmountable.

The role of mental health in entrepreneurial success

Maintaining good mental health is crucial for entrepreneurial success. High stress levels, burnout and mental health challenges can impede decision-making, creativity and overall productivity. Here are some strategies to maintain mental wellbeing:

• Regular exercise: Physical activity can reduce stress and improve mental clarity

• Mindfulness and meditation: Practices like mindfulness and meditation can help manage stress and improve focus

• Healthy work-life balance: Ensure you have time to relax and recharge outside of work

• Professional support: Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you’re struggling with mental health issues

Research shows that an entrepreneurial mindset can help, but it usually takes time and experience to develop. But there's always more we can do.

What if we could reinforce this mindset more effectively?

The power of community

One of the best resources available to entrepreneurs is the community they build around them. Networking with fellow entrepreneurs can provide valuable insights, emotional support and potential collaborations.

Get stuck into the Enterprise Nation community, connecting with like-minded individuals who can share their experiences and advice. By engaging with this community, entrepreneurs can find mentors, partners and friends who understand the unique challenges of starting and running a business.

Continuous learning

Another critical way of maintaining these skills is a commitment to continuous learning and it doesn’t have to take all day. It builds capability and helps humans cope when the business world is constantly evolving. 

My tip: Experiment with making artificial intelligence your best friend. Most people limit themselves to very basic time-saving AI tasks but I’ve found massive value in bouncing creative ideas and developing strategy.

AI is great for streamlining your plans, focusing your goals and even giving you the steps and roadmap to your success. Your AI BFF can keep you updated on the latest trends, technologies and provide tactics. 

Enterprise Nation also provides access to a wealth of resources, including webinars, workshops and articles that can help entrepreneurs stay informed and ahead of the curve. Embracing a culture of lifelong learning will ensure that you are always prepared to adapt to changes and seize new opportunities.

Your role in shaping the future

My mission is to help people stay the course and achieve the dream they started on. Your insights are crucial to this process. By inputting into the research, you can help shape tools designed to help you and fellow entrepreneurs thrive. Together, we can enhance both mindset and business success.

Call to action

Please take a moment to complete this survey and contribute to a future where entrepreneurs can sustain a strong entrepreneurial mindset. Your input will directly impact the creation of tools that make a real difference: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EVIJRO.

Relevant resources

• An entrepreneur in the making: Jonny Cottom, founder of Breakbottle

• Winning traits of the 21st-century entrepreneur

• Lunch and Learn: How to leverage AI and the Metaverse