Are you looking to change your reality, but don’t know where to start? Mindset is the beginning of everything in entrepreneurship so this week we talk through the 3 mindset shifts you need to make (3:15), the importance of taking action (11:20) and the self awareness you needed to propel yourself forward (18:40)
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3 Essential Mindset Shifts from Corporate to Entrepreneur
Five years ago, I quit my corporate job to become a full time, world travelling entrepreneur. While it was a huge decision, I’ve never looked back. While corporate jobs can bring the promise of big salaries, they can also leave us feeling exhausted, burnt out, and feeling like we are stuck in the rat race.
Entrepreneurial journeys, on the other hand, offer the freedom to work whenever and wherever you want. You get to say goodbye to the 9-5 and choose a schedule that works for you. Entrepreneurs also get to focus on the things they enjoy doing, rather than slogging away at a job they’re not passionate about for little reward.
Quitting your job and going out on your own isn’t easy but with a few mindset shifts, it is more than possible. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or a complete lifestyle change, I have rounded up the three most important mindsets to get you there.
You are the average of the people around you
Have you ever heard the theory that you are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with? When I first heard this quote, I was so skeptical about it that I shut it down completely. I was still working in finance and all of my friends were in the same field so I just didn’t see it.
Now that I am outside of that circle, it is finally clear to me how everyone subconsciously shaped me into believing that corporate was the only way to go. It’s hard to see the picture when you’re inside the frame and it’s only when we step out of it that we can fully realize the truth.
My first glimpse of the entrepreneurial lifestyle was when I was living in New York. I was dating an entrepreneur who was super creative and his lifestyle was very different to mine. I found myself having to end my nights out in the East Village early because I had to get to the office in the morning. My partner always stayed out longer because he had the freedom to work when he wanted.
This is when I started questioning my own lifestyle. I had spent so much time studying for my degree and applying for my job, but where was it getting me? It was not until I started surrounding myself with other people that I noticed a shift in my values. This new group of people encouraged me to move in a different direction and it was so motivating.
I am now fully aware of how our inner circle affects our life and I’m really conscious of who I spend my time with.
If your current life is not the way you want it to be, get inspiration from others who are doing what you want to do. You heard me right. If you want to surf, find a surfing community. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you to move forward.
Having a community of people around you who share your passions and vision is so important, and is what led me to create the Digital Nomad Society. So if you are struggling to find your perfect support group, join us to network with hundreds of other people building their dream lives!
Different relationships benefit us at different times in our lives. People come and go and each and every one of them will impact us in some way, both positively and negatively. Look at your current relationships and ask whether they are moving you in the right direction.
They won’t do it for you
The next essential mindset shift from being in corporate to becoming an entrepreneur is that no one is going to take action for you.
As entrepreneurs, we must find our own answers.
Instead of shutting things down straight away, give new ideas a chance to grow. Giving things time to cultivate and bloom is one of the main mindset differences I noticed between people who are in corporate and those who are entrepreneurs.
In my podcast, The Books that Have Changed my Life, one of my top recommendations is the four hour work week by Tim Ferriss. This book was so monumental in my life trajectory and it is full of tools and inspiration.
When talking with people in corporate, they often say that this journey isn’t possible. Not everyone can quit their jobs and pursue entrepreneurship. After all, there wouldn’t be any doctors or lawyers, would there? Other responses include “it’s not possible to do a four hour week” and “it’s all just fluff”.
Many people in corporate do not like my book recommendations simply because the author doesn’t tell them exactly what to do. The thing is, no one can prescribe you your business. Entrepreneurship is very personal and should come from your own individual experiences. If you’re looking at other people to tell you what to do, then you are going to fail – sorry, but it’s true!
That’s why we need to start shifting our mindset to find our own answers. A few years ago, I was in the same place as you; looking for answers from others. I soon realized that entrepreneurship is about taking action and finding answers.
Say goodbye to thoughts like “this book sucks” and “Not everyone can quit their corporate jobs” and start asking “How do I accomplish my goals?” Negative thoughts are only going to prevent you from making your dreams a reality. If you focus on the things you can change and stop relying on others, you will enjoy a rewarding and empowering journey. Trust me!
Take action and experience it for yourself
This is one of my favorite mantras! Everyone on this earth has a different set of values, personalities, traits and characteristics. Some people love corporate jobs. Some people love freelancing. Some people love entrepreneurship. What about you?
Humans learn from experience and you’re not going to fully know what you want until you have experienced it yourself. There are so many people who quit corporate and start living a digital nomad life to realize that it’s not for them. It’s only when you start taking action, that you realize.
To do this well, you need to develop your self-awareness. What lights you up? What are your likes and dislikes? You also need the confidence to execute it.
My younger brother is currently backpacking through South America, after graduating a semester early to enjoy a self-funded trip. Before he embarked on this trip, he had to identify the type of travel he liked. He thought he’d like backpacking and hostels but he quickly realized that the opposite was true. In fact, through this experience, he discovered a lot about himself.
Similarly, by working in corporate, I realized I still had a passion for travel, and I was trying to combine both by cramming as many countries into my vacation days and weekends as possible. I built travel itineraries almost to the hour and, there was no down time!
Once I quit my corporate job, I had the freedom to go whenever and wherever I wanted. I quickly realized that I like to spend time getting to know a country, rather than my old way of hopping quickly from one place to the next.
I started with six months in Brazil, followed by a further six in Hawaii. This was then followed by Costa Rica and Indonesia. I now love this form of slow travel but I wouldn’t have realized this if I didn’t quit my corporate job. The thing is, a few years ago, I would have told you that backpacking was the way to go. That’s why it’s important not to follow other people and go with what feels right for you, at the time.
As a Business Coach, I give you a map for your journey but you have to decide where to go. Self-awareness and accountability are two of your most valuable assets. Once you can start listening and following your own intuition, you will one step closer to success.
Conclusion
If you want to switch from your current corporate life to entrepreneurial freedom, you need to make these three mindset shifts. Find your community, rid yourself of limiting beliefs and take action. Stop relying on others to tell you what to do and start looking at yourself for answers.
This all requires self-awareness, which can be harnessed through first-hand experiences. If you’re ready to commit to the next level of your online business, I encourage you to sign up to The Wanderlover Business Academy 2.0 and surround yourself with our community of like minded individuals.
See you there!
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