How Entrepreneurs Stay Positive

How can entrepreneurs stay positive even in the face of disappointment or loss? We share three ways, plus an inspiring story.

Click the player to listen to this episode of The BIGG Success Show Podcast. Below is a summary of our discussion.

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Do you like surprise endings? Well, then, we’ve got a story for you today.

We read a great article on Inc. that shared a story about Thomas Edison that we hadn’t heard before.

When Thomas Edison’s factory burned to the ground in 1914, destroying one-of-a-kind prototypes and causing $23 million in damage, Edison’s response was simple:

“Thank goodness all our mistakes were burned up. Now we can start fresh again.”

Talk about a surprise ending! Can you imagine yourself in that situation and having that reaction?
We always tend to focus on loss or remorse

What does it take to stay positive in the face of such loss? How do you not focus on what you no longer have?
Think like an entrepreneur!

Let’s go to the Professor’s Whiteboard for: 3 ways entrepreneurs stay positive.

1) See opportunity

Edison was able to see opportunity in the ashes.

You find an opportunity by first seeing it. When Edison looked at a pile of ashes, he saw an opportunity to start fresh.

Seeing an opportunity is a habit that entrepreneurs have.

Challenge: keep a journal and everyday for 30 days, write down a potential opportunity you saw that day. Investigate it and research it. Then after 30 days, you will have begun to develop a habit of constantly opening yourself up to new opportunities.

2) You have to believe

The BIGG in BIGG Success stands for:

Believing
Implementing
Goal-Getting
Giving-back success

What’s key is that it all starts with believing.

Believe in yourself, others, and a greater power that brings everything together for good.

3) See past the pain

it just makes me think that one of my favorite dad quotes…You know when you are hammering a nail, and smash your thumb? It hurts! My dad would always say, “Son, that’s gonna feel really good when it quits hurting.”

Taking it out of the physical realm, the same is true when you lose something or someone important – you go through a grieving process.

We tend to think of grieving when it comes to the loss of a loved one, but it also pertains to business…

George had a business deal fall through, and it was disappointing. In the end, it was a good thing, because he later bought a different company which helped him build a much better portfolio of businesses.

As is often the case, when we have patience and get through the pain, we end up in a better situation on the other side.

To review three ways that entrepreneurs stay positive: First, you have to see opportunity, even when something bad happens – see the opportunity that that now might be presented because of it. Second, you also have to believe…it it starts with believing. Third, see past the pain.

When you get burned by a situation in life, rise above the ashes to stay positive. It leads to BIGG success.

George “The Professor” & Mary-Lynn
Co-Founders, BIGG Success