There’s a fine line between a good entrepreneur and a great one. What sets them apart often boils down to subtle nuances in behaviors and attitudes that aren’t immediately visible to the naked eye.
Psychology has a lot to say about this. It’s not just about having the best ideas or the most capital, it’s also about the way these top achievers think, act, and interact with the world around them.
In this piece, we’re going to dive into ten subtle things that the best entrepreneurs do differently.
These are behaviors rooted in psychological insights, all designed to give them an edge.
This isn’t about reinventing the wheel or drastic overhauls. Instead, it’s about small tweaks that can lead to significant results.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, there’s something for everyone in this exploration of entrepreneurial excellence.
1) Embracing the power of “Flow”
The most successful entrepreneurs have a secret weapon that sets them apart from the rest: their ability to tap into a state of “Flow.”
This isn’t just about working hard or putting in long hours. It’s about immersing yourself in your work so deeply that everything else fades away.
This concept of “Flow” was brought to light by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
He describes it as a state of complete absorption where one loses sense of time and self, leading to higher levels of creativity and productivity.
Csikszentmihalyi once said, “The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
This quote perfectly encapsulates what the best entrepreneurs do differently: they willingly embrace challenges and push themselves beyond their comfort zones.
This isn’t about working harder, but rather about working smarter. It’s about focusing on one task at a time, eliminating distractions, and immersing oneself in the task at hand.
This might mean shutting off your email notifications for an hour or finding a quiet space where you can really dig into your work.
Remember, it’s not about the quantity of work but the quality. And achieving that quality often means finding your own state of “Flow.”
2) The power of positive visualization
Another thing that sets the best entrepreneurs apart is their ability to use positive visualization. Now, this might sound like a bit of a buzzword, but bear with me.
There was a time when I was facing a major hurdle in my own entrepreneurial journey. I had just lost a significant client and was questioning whether I had what it takes to succeed.
Then, I remembered a quote from psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman: “Optimism is invaluable for the meaningful life. With a firm belief in a positive future, you can throw yourself into the service of that which is larger than you are.”
So, I began visualizing success. Every morning, I would close my eyes and imagine myself overcoming the obstacles in my path, securing new clients, and growing my business.
And you know what? Things started to turn around.
Positive visualization isn’t about ignoring reality or glossing over challenges.
Instead, it’s about creating a mental image of your goals and working towards them with optimism and determination.
The best entrepreneurs understand this power and use it to their advantage.
3) Embracing failure as a stepping stone
This one isn’t easy. Trust me, I’ve been there. Failure is scary. It’s painful and it’s something that all of us, entrepreneurs or not, try to avoid at all costs.
But here’s the thing: the best entrepreneurs embrace failure.
I remember a time when I launched a product that was a complete flop.
I had poured my heart and soul into it, only to be met with disappointing sales and negative feedback. I felt devastated and considered throwing in the towel.
But then, I recalled a quote by psychologist Carl Jung: “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”
And I realized that accepting oneself also means accepting one’s failures. I decided to view that failure not as an end, but as a stepping stone.
I took the lessons learned from that experience, made adjustments, and used it to fuel my next venture.
And guess what? It worked.
The best entrepreneurs aren’t those who never fail, but those who learn from their failures and use them as stepping stones towards success.
It’s a raw and honest truth that we all need to embrace if we want to reach our full potential.
4) Prioritizing self-care
In the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to lose sight of one crucial element on the path to success: self-care.
We often believe that to achieve our goals we need to sacrifice sleep, skip meals, and work around the clock. But, this could not be further from the truth.
I used to be one of those people who believed in the “work till you drop” philosophy.
Until one day, I found myself burned out and unable to continue at the pace I had set for myself.
It was then that I came across a quote from psychologist Abraham Maslow: “If you deliberately plan on being less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be unhappy for the rest of your life.”
The best entrepreneurs understand the importance of self-care. They know that to perform at their highest level, they need to take care of their mental and physical health.
Whether it’s setting aside time each day for meditation, ensuring they get enough sleep, or simply taking a walk in nature to clear their mind, successful entrepreneurs prioritize their own well-being.
It’s not selfish; it’s essential for sustainable success.
5) Embracing moments of stillness
This might seem counterintuitive in a world that glorifies hustle and constant motion, but the best entrepreneurs know the value of stillness.
Yes, you heard it right. Those moments when you’re not doing anything at all, just being present and aware.
There was a time when I believed that success was synonymous with constant activity.
But I’ve come to realize that it’s in moments of quiet reflection and stillness that our best ideas often emerge.
Psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”
Change and learning often come from introspection, which is best achieved in moments of stillness.
Successful entrepreneurs intentionally set aside time for stillness. It could be through meditation, a quiet walk in nature, or just sitting quietly with a cup of tea.
These moments allow them to reflect, recharge, and tap into their inner wisdom.
Next time you feel the urge to fill every moment with activity, remember the power of stillness.
6) Cultivating a growth mindset
The best entrepreneurs have one thing in common: they all have a growth mindset.
This means they believe their abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and the right strategy.
Instead of shying away from challenges, they embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow.
This concept was popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck in her book “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.”
Dweck once said, “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.”
And that’s exactly what the best entrepreneurs do. They see every challenge, every setback, as an opportunity to grow and improve.
They’re not discouraged by failure; instead, they see it as a stepping stone towards success.
If you want to join the ranks of the best entrepreneurs, start by cultivating a growth mindset.
7) Practicing gratitude
You might wonder what gratitude has to do with entrepreneurship. I used to wonder the same.
But over time, I’ve realized that practicing gratitude is not just about feeling good, but also about building resilience and maintaining a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity.
In my own entrepreneurial journey, I’ve found that maintaining a gratitude journal and noting down even small things I’m grateful for each day has helped shift my focus from what’s going wrong to all the good things happening around me.
The best entrepreneurs practice gratitude. They know that while it’s important to strive for more, it’s equally important to appreciate what they already have.
This not only enhances their overall well-being but also fuels their drive and determination to achieve their goals.
8) Seeking help when needed
This may be a hard pill to swallow, but here’s the truth: no one achieves success in a vacuum.
As entrepreneurs, we often pride ourselves on our independence and ability to juggle multiple roles.
But, there’s no shame in admitting when we need help.
There was a point in my journey when I found myself overwhelmed by the magnitude of tasks I had to handle. I felt that asking for help would make me seem weak or incompetent.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Psychologist Albert Bandura once said, “In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life.”
And sometimes, that struggle is made easier when we seek help.
The best entrepreneurs understand this. They’re not afraid to reach out to mentors, engage consultants, or delegate tasks to their team.
They recognize that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a strategic move towards their ultimate goal.
Let’s shed the misconceptions and acknowledge that it’s okay to ask for help.
It doesn’t diminish your capabilities; rather, it enhances your chances of success.
9) Taking time off
This might seem counterintuitive, especially in the entrepreneurial world where the hustle culture is often glorified.
But taking time off is not just crucial for your well-being, it can also boost your productivity and creativity.
Psychologist and author Adam Grant once said, “The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.”
But to help others, or your business, you first need to take care of yourself. And sometimes, this means stepping away from work to rest and rejuvenate.
The best entrepreneurs understand the importance of taking breaks.
They know that constantly pushing without pause can lead to burnout, which is detrimental not only for their health but also for their business.
Whenever you feel guilty about taking a day off or going on a vacation, remember that rest is not a luxury but a necessity for sustained success.
It’s one of those subtle things that the best entrepreneurs do differently.
10) Fostering meaningful connections
In my early days of entrepreneurship, I often found myself so engrossed in my work that I neglected to build meaningful relationships.
It was only later that I understood the importance of connections, not just for business growth, but also for personal fulfilment.
Psychologist Alfred Adler once said, “The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.”
The underlying message here is that everyone has their own struggles and victories.
By fostering meaningful relationships, we not only expand our network but also gain insights into diverse perspectives.
The best entrepreneurs understand this and actively work to build and maintain relationships.
They know that entrepreneurship can sometimes be a lonely journey, and having a supportive network can make the path less daunting.
Whether it’s through networking events, social media interactions, or just a simple coffee chat, make time to connect with others.
It’s these relationships that often pave the way for unforeseen opportunities and enrich your entrepreneurial journey.
