Starting a New Business - Overcoming Negative Self-Talk

Did you ever hear the saying 'there is nothing to fear except fear itself'? Think about that for a minute - it seems to say fear creates itself and really has no basis - there is nothing to actually fear.  

The same thing could be said about thoughts of doubt or skepticism. For whatever reason, there is a lot of low self-esteem going around. It can be the result of having harsh criticism from others, or of never being able to please our 'authority figures'. They mean well, supposedly, and just want you to do your best.  

However it appears your best is never good enough for them because they wrongly think that by telling you to always 'aim higher', or pitting you against someone who is more proficient to compete with them, that this will somehow compel you to be their champion! An "A" is not even good enough - 'see if you can't try harder and get an "A+" next time'; 'See how well Molly does that? Maybe she could give you some pointers'; 'Don't you want to be like Jack? Look at those trophies he has!' 

The problem is two-fold - everybody is different, with different talents and gifts - and we don't all have the same interests. They say you do best what you like to do - so if whatever you are doing is 'not your cup of tea' you will likely not do as well as someone who breathes, eats and sleeps whatever it is. That doesn't mean you are less of a person or in some way inferior at all - it just means you are different.


Whether it is sub-conscious or conscious, you hear all that negative self-talk. 

You just need to 'deprogram' yourself from believing negative things about yourself. 

Make an effort to think of something you do well and that you enjoy, whenever you hear 'you can't do this' or 'you could have done that better', or 'so and so does it better than you do'.... and even if you can't think of something you are proud of and that makes you feel good about yourself, then think about something pleasant that you enjoy - a memorable day you had at the beach - or even the beach itself - what you love about it - the smell, the sound, the colors, the warm sun. 

Just immerse yourself in it and replace the negative thoughts with something that makes you feel happy.


This is particularly relevant to starting a new business because most of the people you know that are not involved, will try to discourage you - again for whatever reason, they will try to make you skeptical - 'are you kidding'? 'That sounds like a rip off'; 'Oh, it sounds like a scam'; 'good luck buddy, I would never buy anything online'; 'I know somebody that lost it all on a game like that'; 'You probably don't have the experience to do that'; 'People are far ahead of you and you will never catch up'.

To reinforce this negativity, you likely will not see any tangible results at first - starting a business is not like starting a new job, where even though you don't know what you are doing or where you are going they still pay you while you are learning. When you are brave enough and creative enough to try to start something of your own, you are not paid and you are spending long hours learning and trying new things; and frankly many of the things you try will not work - at first or even at all. This just means find another way, it doesn't mean 'I told you, you couldn't do this'. 

You have to be able to tell yourself 'it is ok'- 'I will learn', 'I will catch up', 'I will do it right' - and you will have the faith in yourself to keep plugging away until you can see the results of your actions. It may not be today or tomorrow but if you are consistent and really determined, there is nothing that can stop you. Good job!

3 Steps to Change - Ready, Willing and Able

We are creatures of habit, and therefore we may forget that we have the ability to change our old patterns, behaviours, and mindsets. Whether it's things from yesterday, a month ago, or a year(s) ago, it is possible to make some changes starting today.

Maybe you have been putting off things until tomorrow that you can do today, or you've been waiting for something to happen before you take the next step(s), or some of your patterns or behaviours are so ingrained that you feel you can't change them.

Perhaps you haven't been taking enough time for yourself or spending time with others, or you've been meaning or attempting to commit to something but you haven't had very much success, or you have been feeling stuck or unsatisfied at work or home.

There maybe something going on for you personally, or there may be someone you need to forgive, or you are holding onto past hurts, resentments, or grievances.


Just about anything, including excuses, can become a deterrent to taking steps forward if you let them. No matter what's going on, or what you are holding onto, or what you aren't doing, it's not too late to make a change!

Read: Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (Revised and Expanded): The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Lack of Focus, Anger, and Memory Problems 

The question is, "Are you willing to?"

Do you really want to do what you are saying you want to do?


Have you heard the saying, "Ready, willing and able"? This is what you want to ask yourself.

Are you ready to take a step, and it doesn't have to be a gigantic one, towards that which you would like to change?

Are you willing to do what is necessary to move forward even if it's uncomfortable or difficult to do?

Are you able to accept the setbacks, fears, trials and errors, rejections, disappointments, tough conversations, etc., that at first may accompany what you want to change? This can be the tough step and the one that holds you back the most. 

Being "able" to accept what's holding you back is exactly what needs to be looked at in order for you to make that move forward again.

You don't have to change anything if you don't want to. But, if you recognize something within you that is stopping your growth, or creating unhappiness in your life/relationships, or something you are complaining about, or you hear yourself saying something repeatedly that you want to do or commit to, then it's time to do something about it, and now is the time.


It may not be easy to change some things, and others may be easier than you think. Either way, you won't know until you try.

What's the worst that can happen? If you try something and it doesn't work, then you have a stepping stone for your next step.


If you really want to change something then you can do it!


If you are willing to do what's required then you will do it!


If you are able to accept that things will be different and maybe even difficult at first, than you are able to do it.

If you are can do all three steps, then you are capable of making a change.


Look over the last month or previous couple of months. What have you been saying or wanting to do and haven't, or what do you want to change about yourself or something in your life?

If there is more than one thing you want to work with, choose the one that you feel is the most important, or you think the most about, or weighs the heaviest on you.

What step(s) can you take to bring about this change?

When you took that step, what happened?


What, if anything, surfaced for you?

What did you learn?

Are there any other steps you need to take next to implement that change 

further? 

Remember, change may not be easy, but you will never know what lies around the next corner if you don't take the step(s) to see. Use these techniques to help you find the insight to assist you in taking the next steps to change and facing what is holding you back, or surfaces, and then using that knowledge as a stepping stone for your next step(s).

How To Boost Your Creative Abilities

Creativity and innovation are two important ingredients that contribute to the success of modern entrepreneurs. These help you create new insights, fresh ideas, and enhanced solutions to old problems. Here are a few tips on how to improve your creative abilities:

I. Think Like a Child

There are not limits to a child's imagination. As we age, we become less creative because we let rationality and logic stop our minds from traveling far away. Their lack of inhibitions allows them to come up with brighter ideas, crazier solutions, and more enjoyable stories. Trying to act like children is not being negatively childish and immature - it is only allowing your brain to push itself beyond its imaginative limits.

II. See Things with Brand New Eyes

Every time you are presented with an old scene, routine, hobby, or activity, pretend to experience it for the first time. Zen practitioners explain this as seeing things with brand new eyes. It allows you to become open to new angles, sights, and experiences that you have not noticed before.  

III. Get Out off the Couch

Throw away lazy habits and say goodbye to your career as a couch potato. Laziness freezes your thoughts and leads you into being stuck to the same old paradigms and patterns of thinking. It prohibits you from exploring possibilities.

Read: The Mind Map Book: Unlock Your Creativity, Boost Your Memory, Change Your Life 

IV. Sweat It Out

Exercise - it does more than giving you a supermodel body, it can also boost your creativeness. Research suggest that at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day can help a person produce more innovative thoughts. It can also release endorphins or "happy hormones". Endorphins are known to create lighter and more positive moods. According to psychologists, people come up with the most creative thoughts ever time their positive emotions are running high. 

V. Get Some Rest

Plenty of studies have proven that naps and quick breaks between work tasks can help recharge the brain. An overly stressed mind can no longer have the capacity to develop new insights and solutions. Resting replenishes the mind and makes neurons work more efficiently. 

VI. Dare to Fail

Do not be afraid of failure or making mistakes. Desiring to be perfect and becoming preoccupied about what others might think can paralyze your capacity for idea generation. 

VII. Open Yourself to Creative Pursuits

Just because you work in a corporate environment, it does not mean that you have to limit yourself to activities involved in your field. Open yourself to other activities such as dance, art, music, and sports. This widens your perspectives and provides you with new sources of inspiration.


Following these creative thinking techniques can definitely make you a better innovator. As the world becomes more competitive, it is important to develop ideas and solutions that stand out. This can definitely help you strengthen your enterprise and achieve promising success.

Be Your Very Best With These Personal Development Tips

Each person is unique, and so personal development should be customized to your way of life. With that being said, you need to try and learn as much information as possible to help you in your personal development. The below article can assist you in this regard because it contains a variety of tips that can be used for improving yourself.

Many people often have goals that are too broad, when they are trying to grow through personal development. Create a specific goal for yourself. Well defined goals will garner targeted results. 

Before you begin working on your personal development, you first need to understand your place in the universe. The more humble you are, realizing that there is room for growth, the more willing you are to gain knowledge. Once this idea gets instilled in your mind, you will want to know, understand and learn new things, therefore, improving yourself.


Do you consume more alcohol than you should? Do you make a habit of smoking or engaging in other harmful vices? 

The body is considered a temple, and it needs to be treated with care and respect. Try getting rid of your bad habits; it can be important to making your life better. Take a look at your overall life and the habits you engage in to figure out if there is something you can eliminate.


A positive attitude can be a powerful way to grow your spiritual nature. Living your life with a poor attitude will only attract more of the same to your life. Instead, be "pragmatically positive." This is the idea that a positive attitude will yield instrumental gain.


Someone might have told you that listening skills are just as essential as speaking skills. This truth applies even more to those who are making a concentrated effort to develop themselves on a personal level. 

Don't just listen to other people. Listen to yourself. You will have a hard time finding what your goals are if you are not listening to yourself.


One important aspect of personal development is deciding what you want out of life. You can plan more effectively and enjoy a more accurate perspective on personal development when you have set long-term goals.


To be an effective leader, you must combine humility with power. You can redirect people in a gentle way, and keep in mind that it is best to lead by example. Being a great leader requires that you uphold a standard of integrity and values that others are proud to follow, no matter what the capacity is in which you lead.

If you want to grow and change, you have to consciously make the choice to change. Accepting change will allow you to grow on your path to self development.

You should always want a higher level of self restraint when working hard for personal development. Learn to develop a strong sense of self control. Overcome your body's desire to overindulge in pleasure. Eating is uncomfortable and unhealthy when it becomes overeating; lustful or drunken behavior will harm your body as well. 

Being able to control your desires and restrain your urges will keep you from harming your mind and your body.


If you experience anxiety in social situations, ask a friend to join you at the movie theater. This activity will force you to be around others, but you do not have to talk to them very much, which will minimize your discomfort. This will help get you used to being in the same vicinity with lots of different people.

There are things you can do throughout the day to accomplish more work while at your job. This can be achieved by taking frequent breaks from work. This might sound counterproductive, but breaks allow you to refocus and re-energize, allowing you to return and work more efficiently.


Try to be content with developing and enhancing your existing strengths. We need all kinds of people in the world, because diversity helps us to stay strong. Don't fret talents you have not yet developed, and spend your time building off of the skill set you have already mastered or been blessed with. 

One of the most important elements of personal development is taking proper care of your health. When you are healthy, you feel better and have more energy. You can think more clearly, and even save time and money, by not having to go to the doctor on a regular basis. 

Make a concerted effort to adopt healthy practices.


As you can see, personal development is simpler than it looks. By breaking your personal development process into small, manageable goals, you'll find yourself closer to your goals by the end of every day. You'll be able to practice what you're seeking to adopt as habit, and you'll increase your own morale to continue. These tips are only a springboard, it's up to you to build a better life.