9 Great Business Mantras for Entrepreneurs

There are certain key ingredients required to be a successful entrepreneur. Let’s look at the 9 business mantras that will help you through the journey of entrepreneurship and climb the ladder of success.

1. Do what you love

Build upon something that you love. If you are passionate about your work, that fire will draw like-hearted individuals to help sustain the momentum. Imagine the success stories to be told around your campfire.

The key to success is to “happily achieve” and not achieving to be happy.

“ Never underestimate the vital importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play. This turns possible underachiever into happy warriors.” – Jeff Bullas @jeffbullas

2. Don’t expect instant success

It’s not like the movies. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are three tips for cultivating endurance:

• Surround yourself with positive, energetic people.
• Exercise. Physical health begets mental health.
• Respect your human side. Make rejuvenating activities a priority.

3. Be ready and willing to fail

A successful entrepreneur will carve gems from the rubble. Instead of lamenting the loss, harness it. Failure can:

• Trigger transformation
• Steel your backbone
• Tame your ego
• Spark innovation
• Propel personal and professional growth

“Wear your failure as a badge of honour.” – Sundar Pichai @sunderpichai

4. Don’t fear the unknown

For entrepreneurs, uncharted territory is where the magic happens. Fear is an essential ingredient for progress and navigation. Learn to live outside your comfort zone.

“Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my feat run me.”- Arianna Huffington @ariannahuff

5. Build a genuine story

Illuminate your startup or product with a genuine story. Stories can inspire others to pitch in. Check out the tale of the legendary Google dog yaksha. Early on, his presence played a key role in creating Google’s fun free spirited culture.

“Facts get recorded stories get remembered”- Lewis Schiff@lwisschiff

6. Don’t forget your people

Don’t ever forget your people. Your employees, your customers, your family, your believers no matter how big and bold you go, remember to honour your roots and the humanity behind your success.

“Love your family, work super hard, live your passion.”- Gary Vaynerchuk @garyvee

7. Invest in social media

Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a loyal active community to build brand awareness. Plus, you can learn so much just listening and sharing.

“Engage, enlighten, encourage, and especially just be yourself! Social media is a community effort everyone is an asset.”- Susan Cooper @buzzedition

8. Expose your ideas

Do expose your ideas to the elements. It cannot develop if you keep it locked away from critique, collaboration, and real-time scenarios.

“Don’t be greedy. An idea may be born of you, but they are not yours. Like children, your job is to get them ready for the world.”- Nilofer Merchant @nilofer

9. Be determined

Don’t think you can ride on talent or brilliance alone. They provide the spark, but you need fuel. In the wise words of Paul Graham, “the most important predictor of success is determination.”

Angela Duckworth, University of Pennsylvania Professor,  says that “Grit” is more important than IQ for success. “Grit” is a muscle which can be developed.

“…grit grows as we figure out our life philosophy, learn to dust ourselves off after rejection and disappointment and learn to tell the difference between low-level goals that should be abandoned quickly and higher-level goals that demand more tenacity. The maturation story is that we develop the capacity for long-term passion and perseverance as we get older.”  – Angela Duckworth @angeladuckw

See the video on how to be a more successful leader by Dr Marshall Goldsmith.

So, which of these mantras you have excelled at and which are the ones you need to adopt. Like, Share and comment below. Thank you. Regards,