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How Do You Stay Positive?
Being an entrepreneur brings many ups and downs. Our Board of Directors, with a little help from the Dalai Lama, shares their advice for staying positive.
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The entrepreneurial journey is inevitably a bumpy one. For every great hire you make, a key employee quits. For every big deal you close, an irate customer calls. And for every time you think to yourself, "Finally, I've made it," you start to wonder, "What the hell did I get myself into?"And that's just the first six months.
Sure, every entrepreneur faces uncertainty, frustration and outright fear at some point. But the most successful ones are able to block out the chaos, focus on the road ahead and do it all with a happy face. Because, as tempting as it may be to lapse into Eeyore mode when your business hits a seemingly insurmountable challenge, entrepreneurs also set the tone for their entire companies. And if the leader isn't positive, no one will be.
A few months ago, I attended an event featuring our own Sir Richard Branson at the Center for Living Peace in Irvine, Calif. As a follow-up in the Living Peace Series, I had the privilege of joining His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on May 4 for a unique discussion about compassion, leadership, the pursuit of happiness and his outlook on the world. The Tibetan spiritual leader isn't exactly an entrepreneur by most people's definitions, but he has encountered many peaks and valleys (literally and figuratively) throughout his life, all the while preaching a message of positivity. And as I learned first-hand during his talk, he absolutely loves to laugh -- a trait he shares with many entrepreneurs.
So we decided to make His Holiness an honorary member of our Board of Directors this week and center our latest debate around positivity. His advice for future leaders of the world? "You are your own master." About as appropriately positive a message for entrepreneurs as I've ever heard. As for the rest of our Board, here's their take on what it takes to stay positive.
Lexy Funk
Co-Founder and CEO, Brooklyn Industries
"Our core mission is to bring creativity and art to everything we do. If one tact is working, then we try a different approach. We focus the teams on innovation and change, whether that be on a product line, a marketing approach or a sales strategy. Usually, change of focus improves everyone's mood and often turns around the numbers. Personally, I do the same. I take photographs, I spend more time in the stores talking to customers, I write more, I set up a brainstorming session throwing out every idea whether it be big or small."
Rob Dyrdek
President, Dyrdek Enterprises
"It's something that I struggle with like anybody else does. But I relentlessly keep telling myself, 'You can't be the one that gets emotional. It all stops with you.' When someone is being emotional and offends you, you have to know your position. You have to understand that you are everybody's rock. When everybody panics, they look for you to be the one that makes it right. And if you're the one panicking, or you get emotional and get angry, you would basically be unmotivating the people who you need to use to help figure everything out and continue to make everything work and be strong. For me, just because I've got a bit of an itchy trigger, I'm a little hotheaded, I expect things a certain way -- that's something, especially of late, that I'm hyper, hyper aware of. Because the reality of it is, I have so many people in so many positions that rely on me being there. Every now and then, I snap too. It's hard. But it's something that I practice very hard.
"Don't get me wrong, I would say it's just like any other key to happiness. If you always feel like you're progressing and doing new and exciting things, it's an energy of excitement and motivation and inspiration that goes along with constantly changing and progressing and watching things grow and get bigger and better. The biggest thing about that -- and I would say this type of energy and this sort of style of leading that's almost through energy -- it's contagious. When I'm all fired up, everybody else is all like, 'Ahhh, this is going to be amazing!' It gets exciting."
Tate Chalk
Founder and CEO, Nfinity
"The best way for me to stay positive is to rely heavily on process. One of the key factors in any business 'turnaround' is getting back to the basics. It's that way with my company (and my mood) -- when we hit a rough patch, get 'back to the basics.' When I know we are doing the little things right, it always helps how I feel about the process. That, and a cold beer usually helps."
Jennifer Hill
Chairwoman, Astia NYC Advisory Board
"Once the venture comes to life, it's no longer just about you -- it's about the vision and everyone and everything that the vision effects, such as employees, customers, suppliers and the community. The venture is a living, breathing entity around you and beyond you. While in some respects this creates more pressure, it can also objectify the rough situation. It's much easier for me to stay positive with a team.
"First, I keep my eye on the horizon and try to remember that the ups and downs are totally normal. The roller coaster is part of the fun! Then, I visualize where I want things to be, focus on getting there, and think about actions to take. Sometimes I picture a third person in my situation and the advice that I would offer. If distance from the situation will be of benefit, then I take a walk to clear my head or engage in an activity in which I can totally and completely lose myself (flow) to take my mind off it.
"Second, rough patches can be great instigators for change, so taking a dynamically different approach with the team creates a fresh lens. Sometimes I forget that no one expects me to have all the answers. Thus, articulating the situation with the team and actively brainstorming new approaches is one way to work through the rough patch and engage your core resources to help.
"Lastly, I rely on my personal support system (husband, friends, peers, advisers). There are a wealth of people who have faced this before and survived, or who know me well and can offer suggestions for being more effective. Tapping into this wisdom is incredibly beneficial."
Eric Ryan
Co-Founder and Chief Brand Architect, Method
"When works get challenging, which it frequently does for an entrepreneur, I rely on the technique of reframing to stay positive. Re-framing is simply telling yourself a story to find a different way to make meaning of the same information. No matter how bad things get, I can usually find a bright spot through reframing that helps me stay positive and chugging forward. And if not, well, tequila usually helps too."
Dylan Lauren
Founder and CEO, Dylan's Candy Bar
"I exercise!!! Very important to take time to move the toxins, distract, be it in nature or a gym outside office and get the serotonin levels up to change the mood!"
Phil Town
Investor and Author of Rule #1 and Payback Time
"The best way I know to do that was given to us 5,000 years ago by the Bhagavad Gita: Yogasta Kuru Karmani (Established in Being, perform action).
"In the event you don't have Krishna in your chariot, it helps to have a great spouse -- 'great' defined, in part, as someone you deeply respect who sends you out there every day thinking you're better than you are. And if you do have that person in your life, return the good karma to your spouse (and kids) by not taking your business problems home with you. This is where you have to just man up and put on a happy face. If you can do it at home, you can do it at the office. And remember, this too shall pass."
Bob Parsons
Founder and CEO, The Go Daddy Group
"I focus on my Rule No. 16: 'We aren't here for a long time, we're here for a good time!' I really don't get 'down' all that often. I know when I'm excited about what Go Daddy is doing, that enthusiasm has a way of moving down through the ranks. You really have to give your employees a reason to work hard, when you think about it, many of us spend a lot of our lifetime on the job, so you might as well make it fun!
Rieva Lesonsky
CEO, GrowBiz Media
"As a leader, it's really important for you to not let your team see you sweat. If you appear nervous, worried or distracted, it will only cause them to be concerned. So when things aren't going my way, I let myself internally panic for no more than two days -- all the while faking a positive attitude to other people. During those two days, I try to do something cathartic (sometimes I cry, sometimes I pray) and then I try to do something constructive, like come up with a new idea for a client or think of a product extension. Also, life always seems better when you're eating a Dairy Queen ice cream cone."
Rob Adams
Director, Texas Venture Labs at the University of Texas
"Remain positive, always wear your game face and be a good actor. Like it or not, people key into your disposition about the company and if you're not positive and upbeat no one will be!"
Lawrence Gelburd
Lecturer, The Wharton School
"The most profound, lasting achievements are those which are the most difficult, not the least. This maxim has always worked well for me and my entrepreneurial partners."
Tom Szaky
Founder, TerraCycle
"Great question. From my perspective, you remind yourself of what you have built and reflect on all the positive that has happened in the past. That almost always outshines whatever negative is facing you at that moment. With that said, it is always darkest before the dawn!"
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Letter from President
Welcome , We are open minded , honest & serious business people because we believe that “ honesty is the best policy”. When you tell one lie , you must tell more lies to cover up the first one !
We do not believe or practice rip-offs , scams , fraud , deception bait and switch , illegal and unethical business and we’ll not knowingly and do not wish to be associate with anyone or company who does so !
We do what is morally legal , ethical , social & generally accepted as right . we aim at delivering fast affordable and friendly service to our customers. We believe in “ Customer is always right and total customer satisfaction “ because without our customer we cannot remain in business. In our business activities with everyone , we practice courtesy , civilized behavior , honesty , modesty , promptness , positive , and wholesome friendly attitude and we will appreciate the same from others. Anyone at anytime is free to scrutinize investigate our business because we have nothing to hide.
Kevin - You hit it EXACTLY on the head. Those are the truest words I've read all week. And when we have a government that REFUSES to implement the proven measures that will fix this economy - we have to assume that it's being intentionally sabotaged. History proves that when politicians are given power - they only seek to expand it. And what better way to expand it, than to create more dependency on government - via a bad economy?
The only thing I'm wondering is - How did your comments make it past Arianna's editors???!!!
Mark
That is so basic and so true it is almost a shame you would have to tell someone this. A smart business person should has this in his head 24/7. Great Article !!!
Thank you for some help and guidance. It is very hard these days watching my government ruin America. The administration uses propaganda, spin, and out and out lies to push a socialist / Fascist agenda. They push government as the answer to America's problems, when in fact it is the government that is America and the Worlds problems. Our American Constitution is the best in the whole world. It is being attacked from with in our government and not covered in the liberal media. The EPA, FED, HLS and other bias government elite needs to be closed before it is to late for America. It is a shame to see the President of the United States act like a comedian when it comes to real Security issues and other economic issues. One liners and bumper sticker slogans are no way to govern. There is so much more, but the last one is the left progressives debated with facts of what there consequences of no government budget they attack with slurs and hate. It is very hard to stay positive with a socialist fascist progressive government. America is paying a half a million dollars for each campaign flight the president goes on. We are broke, and the message misses the mark with the administration. Thank you for the hope of real change with a new President in 2012. China up 51% in exports to America, where is the jobs for America there? Oil prices; the president went hat in hand to OPEC asking if we can get some more oil. Why did he slow to a stop of American oil production? $5 a gallon gasoline is around the corner due to our Need for imports. Government is not the answer, I am greatful that the president is on the road alot now as more will see the spin and understand the need for a real change, a new American Constitutionalist President is what America needs and what the World needs right now. We don't need a new USSR or China West ... To stay positive, is going to be hard. Thank you.
your living in la la land........GM is thriving....AIG is thriving.you need to read Rolling Stone on the filty greed of Goldman SACKS the USA.
FYI in Italy you couldn't shine our shoes College is free health care is free ....My son is making plans to live and work there. the REP want to extend retire to 70 what a joke this country ranks 38 on lngivity your luckyto reach 65.........WAKE UP
Thank you nick for proving my point. If you only watch the Socialist Progressive Fascist media you will react just like you did. Protect the government elite's and union jobs are good for the people.
One point on union jobs; they kill business. Anybody seen our steal industry lately or the north / north east of America?
Look, if government where to be down sized and in some cases neutered (EPA, FED, FCC...) and unions where disbanded soon, the American recovery would take off like a new "boom town"... But, the union and the government elite got there's and your letting them take it from YOU. What they are selling you on brainwashing networks is not Chocolate and the round eye view they have for you as Sheeple, can change, ask questions and look around. Read The American Constitution, it's yours, own it and then protect it, nick. Or, help your family member pack and this administration and the liberal media have won in your home. GB
Best way to stay positive is to avoid watching Glenn Beck.
"This too shall pass" What a bunch of BS. Yeah it will pass with you losing your home, your savings, your pride and your soul, but it will pass. Yeah. If that makes you feel better keep saying it. And then we have Mr. "I havent worked a day in my life but I know better than all of you" giving advice on how to live. Give me a fracking break! If you had any balls Dalai you'd have sacrificed your life for your country. Instead you went running away like a boy with your balls tucked behind your ass.
You need to find peace, Jean-Claude...you sound very hostile...try exercise, a low carb diet, and sunshine. Avoid talk shows and negative media. Take up an instrument, perhaps the lute. Give of yourself and find peace in the asiistance of the less fortunate. I'm sure this will help you through your stress. Good luck and God bless you.
and Mark Livine, and Hannity,and Mark Simone it is amazing these guys are experts on everything. They are the most depressing people on radio. I love Kudlow !!!!
share,
i cannot beleive the car companies who all received bailouts and then gave their ceo's millions. but when someone lke me wants to talk to them, they ignore their very public audience
The day unions go away everyone will need one. I am not in a unionn but am smart enough to see unions are absolutley necessary to protect workers and wages. That is why corporations pay millions to spin doctors to demonize them. Look at history and see what working conditions were when unions did not exist! Jsut like China and other thrid world countries now working for peanuts and getting thrown on the scrap heep when you burn out. BS!
The whole "govt is th eprobelm i sBS too. REpub;icans constantlhy harp on this becase the true goal is take over of our country by corporations and no protection fo rworking families. It all around in theri tactics and so obvious it just about hits you over th ehead. Take away everything from the middle class and use the money in Social Security and Medicare to give the wealthy more trillion dollar tax breaks. Look at Lyin' Ryan's useless budget. Plainly there in black and white. Cons send our jobs overseas to save money for the top 1%. Republican greed enabling the wealthy in this country is what is killing the US. We don't have a deficit problem we have a revenue problem. The wealthy and corps enabled by Republicans are not paying their fair share. Repubs just killed the bill to stop Big Oil's billion $ tax breaks! How does that help you or the US? Dump oil and get a green ecomnomy up and running. Save the planet and get rid of the anchor around our necks at the same time. Do it NOW. its way too late to keep carrying corporate America on our backs. Their goal is to kill the working person anyway.