How to take control of your mindset during difficult times

The small business journey is not easy, and it’s not perfect. There are good days and bad days that every small business owner experiences along the way. The past 18 months have really tested the mindset of those in small business, and those that support them every day. 

Learning to shift our mindset can be a powerful tool to improve our wellbeing. I recently sat down with professional mindset coach, Ben Crowe of Mojo Crowe, to get his advice on how small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers can take control of their mindset. 

Learn to celebrate your imperfections and own your story

The first step towards improving your mindset is to connect with who you are. So many of us are searching for self worth from external sources, when we should be looking internally. Connection mindset is all about celebrating your imperfections, because after all, this is what connects you to others.

The key to unlocking a connection mindset is viewing vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness. As a small business owner, if you lean in to vulnerability and celebrate your imperfections, it allows you to become more open, curious, innovative and compassionate.

Uncover your purpose and find happiness in the journey

Tapping into a purpose mindset requires you to unlock your values, goals, motivations and needs. Ask yourself if you’re running your business just to make money, or is there something deeper that motivates you?

Small businesses are driven by their purpose and passion. When these two things come together, it creates grit and determination to keep going, especially when things get tough. This is where the realisation occurs that it’s not about the end goal or the final destination, it’s the journey and the experience where the magic happens. If your goal is growth, your life will be rich because everyday provides a new experience that allows you to grow. 

Accept that you can’t control everything, but you can control your attitude

It’s so easy to get distracted by the things we can’t control. Using a performance mindset helps to focus your attention on the things you can control, like the kind of person you want to be. Focusing on the human being rather than the human doing helps you stay positive and impacts the interactions you have with your customers or clients. 

According to a Forrester study commissioned by Xero, 93 percent of consumers trust, recommend and buy from businesses that demonstrate empathy. Furthermore, 69 percent of consumers said they would feel a personal loss if a small business in their community was to close. It’s these human connections that make a small business special. If you can focus on showing kindness and empathy, instead of focusing on the things you can’t control, it just might give you the perspective and resilience to get through difficult times.

Remember, it’s our decisions, not our conditions that determine our mindset.