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How To Successfully Ride The Emotional Highs And Lows Of Being An Entrepreneur

  • Writer: Brainz Magazine
    Brainz Magazine
  • Aug 29, 2022
  • 6 min read

Updated: Mar 13, 2024

Written by: Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

As an entrepreneur, you likely experience a wide range of emotions, both empowering and disempowering. It's important to understand how to ride the emotional highs and lows so you can stay focused and achieve your goals. People often think of emotions as something that is bad for them, when in fact they are the key to our reality. Emotions are what create our thoughts and actions, and without them we would be nothing.

Closeup on medical mask and hand disinfectant and stressed woman in background in temporary home office.

There are three fundamental ways to master your emotions:


1. Recognize your emotions.


When you feel an emotion, just recognize it for what it is and don’t try to fight or suppress it. Just let it be, and then take the appropriate action based on the emotion.


2. Accept your emotions.


Once you know what an emotion is, accept it for who you are. Don’t try to change or hide from it because that only makes things harder.


3. Own your emotions.


It’s not always easy to admit when we’re feeling something but doing so will help us control our reactions better.


The entrepreneurial journey is not for the faint of heart. It's full of emotional conflicts, and it takes a strong person to weather them all. But don't worry, if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, there are things you can do to stay afloat.


First and foremost, it's important to flex your emotional intelligence muscle. This means being aware of your own emotions and how they affect your decision-making. It also means being able to read other people's emotions and understand how they might be feeling. Having this skill will help you in all aspects of your life, but especially in business.


As an entrepreneur, it's important to know how to manage your emotions. After all, you're the one in charge of your business, and if you're not feeling your best, it can impact your work.


It's also important to have the right mindset. Meditation and mindfulness can help with this. If you can learn to be present in the moment and focus on your breath, you'll be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way.


There are three scientifically researched techniques for riding the emotional challenges of being an entrepreneur:


1. Become aware of your own emotions.


It is important to be in tune with your own emotions in order to be able to effectively manage them. Pay attention to how you are feeling both mentally and physically in order to identify when you are starting to feel overwhelmed or stressed.


2. Don’t try to bottle up your emotions.


It is okay to feel sad, angry, or scared sometimes – in fact, it is normal! Trying to bottle up your emotions will only make them harder to deal with later on. It's okay to feel sad, angry, or overwhelmed at times. If you keep all of your emotions bottled up, it will only make them worse. Instead, find a healthy outlet for them. Maybe vent to a friend or family member, or write in a journal.


3. Take care of yourself.


When you're feeling down, it's important to take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Make sure you're eating well and getting enough sleep. You might also want to try some relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.


We are pretty sure your life is full of new challenges every day. The key to entrepreneurial success is having the right mindset.


Know and accept that there will be ups and downs. Embrace the fact that entrepreneurial life is full of ebbs and flows. Expect that there will be times when you feel on top of the world, and other times when you feel like giving up. Accepting this reality will help you stay more level-headed during the tough times.


No matter what, focus on your long-term vision.


When things are going well, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and lose sight of your bigger goals.


One way to do this is through visualization. When you visualize your success, it can help you stay motivated during the tough times. See yourself achieving your goals and reaching your full potential. This will help you push through when things get tough.


Another way to stay balanced is by taking care of yourself physically and emotionally. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. These things will help keep your energy levels up and allow you to better handle stress.


Finally, remember that it's okay to feel all of the emotions that come with being an entrepreneur. The good and the bad. Embrace them all and learn from each experience.


As an entrepreneur, you will experience a wide range of emotions. It's important to understand how to ride the emotional rollercoaster so you can stay focused and achieve your goals. If your every day feels like a roller coaster ride of elation and despair, hope and fear ‒ you will need to embrace your inner power that will help you weather the storms and take advantage of the good times.


We want to offer you a six-step plan for riding through the storms of being an entrepreneur:


1. Believe in yourself.


When things are tough, it’s important to remember that you are capable of overcoming any obstacle. Have faith in your abilities and don’t give up on your dreams.


2. Stay positive.


It’s easy to get caught up in the negative when things aren’t going well. But if you want to succeed, you need to stay positive and focus on the good. Remember, every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.


3. Acknowledge your feelings.


It is important to acknowledge your emotions, both positive and negative. Recognizing how you feel will help you better manage your reactions.


4. Don't bottle up your emotions.


If you bottle up your emotions, they will eventually come out in an unhealthy way. Find a healthy outlet for your emotions, whether it is talking to a friend or writing in a journal.


5. Use positive self-talk.


This often takes the form of positive affirmations. When you are feeling down, engage in positive affirmations to boost your mood and confidence.


6. Don't be afraid to ask for help.


When you're feeling overwhelmed or down, reach out to your network of family and friends, or seek professional help from a business coach or therapist.


If you're like most entrepreneurs, you didn't get into business to become a master salesperson, marketing guru or financial whiz. You got into business to do what you love. But running a business is hard work and it can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind and forget why you started your business in the first place.


That's where a business coach comes in. A coach will help you stay focused on your goals, help you develop strategies to overcome obstacles and give you the accountability and support you need to succeed.


Being an entrepreneur can be both exhilarating and exhausting. The highs of success and the lows of failure can feel like one long roller coaster ride. But with the help of a business coach, you can ride these highs and lows more successfully. A business coach can help you map out a plan for handling the ups and downs of your business, so that you can stay on track and achieve your goals. A coach will also help you get an outsider's perspective, plus help you stay motivated and focused.


Emotions can be a powerful force in your life. They can help you feel connected to others, motivate you to achieve your goals, and create positive or negative feelings about yourself and the world around you.


it's important to remember that while the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship are inevitable, managing them successfully is possible.


Our two favorite tips to help you ride the emotional waves are:


1. Recognize and understand your emotions.


When you're feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, it can be hard to think straight. Take some time for yourself to process what's going on and understand why you're feeling that way. This will help you make better decisions and stay on track.


2. Emotional resilience is key.


Call it grit, call it mental strength. Be aware that it is important to stay emotionally strong as an entrepreneur, as there will be both peaks and valleys. By understanding and managing your emotions, you can continue to thrive in the entrepreneurial lifestyle.


At the end of the day, it is always time to put first things first. Awareness and mastery of your emotions will propel you toward entrepreneurial success without stressing you out.


Be aware of when you’re starting to feel an emotion and what it is. This will help you understand where the emotion is coming from and give you more control over how you respond to it.


Once you know what’s going on inside of yourself, it’s easier to make smart decisions based on what feels right in the present moment now.


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Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Kapil and Rupali are Amazon 1 bestselling authors, and globally respected business and life strategists. They are founders of Blissvana, a boutique personal development, self-growth and success studio. Their coaching methods have been proven at the highest levels of success in every dimension of human life. Kapil and Rupali's lives revolve around love, happiness, abundance and bliss ‒ at home and work. Kapil and Rupali's purpose is to create the highest possible quality of life they can, for themselves and the people they love, while helping others around them do the same.

 
 

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

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