Living the E Life

Let's continue unpacking the 10 E Mindsets. These mindsets give us a framework to move through the inevitable challenges and experiences that come with being an entrepreneur. We've found each mindset to be incredibly helpful, though you might focus on different ones at different times to help you create a fulfilling and sustainable entrepreneurial journey.

Here's mindset #10:

There's always a solution.

There's not a ton of certainty as an entrepreneur, but one thing you can be certain of is that there will be problems. If you didn't already guess this, we're happy to be the bearer of realistic news! :) From little things to big things, from one-time challenges to ongoing frustrations, even quick fixes to deep dives, there will be problems that require your energy and attention.

The easy thing to do with problems is sit in them. Complain. Dwell. Blame. Avoid.

This is normal - often our "default" is to lean toward what's protective, not proactive. We might naturally freeze, focus on what's wrong, feel overcome with emotions, or blame external factors (or ourselves).

Much like we teach our clients, when problems arise in business, this is a chance for us to shift from seeing the situation as threatening to viewing it as an opportunity or positive challenge. Once we can clearly name and identify the problem and what we are trying to solve, we can begin this shift by:

• practicing self-compassion. We're human, not perfect robots. It's helpful to approach problems with mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness.

• pre-committing to solutions. Make the decision to figure it out - because even if you don't know the answer yet, you can (and will) find one.

• considering your resources. Look at what you have at your disposal internally (i.e., your own skills, strengths, knowledge, experiences, values) and externally (e.g., people, places, tools, things).

• brainstorming ideas. Try asking yourself (or others), "how might I solve this problem?" Allow time and space to get creative, and listen to any and all ideas that surface first before making a decision.

• taking a legal and ethical perspective. It's best to consider any problem through the lens of an ethics code (AASP, or other organizations where you are a member), ethical decision-making models, and local, state, and federal laws. CYA and do the right thing.

Then, decide. How will you move forward to create the best solution for right now? Know that your solution may work well, or it might be temporary, or it might not turn out the way you hoped. That's okay! Continue to evaluate and adjust as needed - and know that there's always a solution.

Key Takeaway: Problems are common as an entrepreneur. No matter what problems you face, there is always a solution - and you are capable of finding it.

Psst: if you need help understanding laws and ethics related to business, identifying your internal and external resources, and gaining practical ideas for managing emotions as an entrepreneur, we cover all of that (and more!) in the Establish course.