Mentors play a unique role in the startup-building ecosystem. As individuals who have been down the path before, you possess critical insights that can help new founders navigate choppy waters, avoid obvious (to you) pitfalls, and help accelerate their businesses.
Framework curated by Natalie McMullin, Communications Manager, MindFrame Connect
Raia ‘Coach’ Carey is a 3x Certified Life Coach and motivational speaker who is passionate about encouraging others to tap into the confidence they never knew they had. After overcoming various hardships, she was able to transform her mindset and begin a career that empowers others to do the same.
Having recently joined the MindFrame Connect team as an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Consultant and seasoned entrepreneur, in this framework and corresponding video, Coach Carey breaks down her best practices, tips, and tricks on the topic of resilience and how you can bring these tools into your everyday life as an entrepreneur.
Language
When you frame the idea that ‘thoughts create actions’ what exactly is it, that creates our thoughts? Carey explains that positive language has a big impact on your thought process, breaking down the difference between conscious and the subconscious, and its impact on your day-to-day.
In this article from Forbes, author Peter Himmelman discusses the power of positive speech and how choosing the right words defines your reality. Himmelman highlights that “the research that’s been done on the use of positive language to change mood, behavior and physical well-being is abundant —and abundantly clear. When we regularly use a more buoyant language to describe our lives, we stimulate frontal lobe activity. This includes the language centers such as the Wernicke's area and Broca's area, that is, the regions of the brain that link directly to the motor cortex, which is responsible for getting us to act.”
Carey goes on to explain that certain words, she’s pegged the ‘sneaky words’ can also impact your thought process, sharing that ‘need, should and have’ can derail your motivation for the day, finding yourself out of alignment with your goals. She recommends framing your thought process in a positive light, and to be mindful of your language when speaking to yourself, about yourself, and to others.
Mindfulness Tools
As an entrepreneur, there’s no shortage of factors that can cause you stress. Ensuring you have the right tools in your ‘mindfulness toolkit’ can help center, and calm you, regardless of the situation – but wait, what exactly is mindfulness? It’s defined as ‘a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations’ and is often used as a therapeutic technique. In Carey’s toolkit, she highlights the following tools:
Your Network
Decompress, spend time with loved ones and those around you to help destress and refocus after a busy day – whether it’s a quick phone call, a walk in the park or quality time doing other activities that you enjoy within your network of family and friends.
Your Interests
Find interests and other well-being past times that you enjoy, and make sure you’re blocking time to do them throughout the week. In this framework from MindFrame Connect, Dr. Michael A. Freeman stresses the importance of behavioural habits like getting enough sleep and exercise on the path to building your resilience, along with a variety of other strategies and helpful tips.
Taking a Pause
When you’re faced with a stressful situation – stop and ask yourself, what is within in my control? Carey explains that when you take the time to pause and focus on what you can change, you can remove the external factors causing you stress and set you up for a more resilient mindset to face the challenge at-hand.
Sharing Your Story
For entrepreneurs, sharing your story is one of the most important things you can do. Carey shares her top two reasons for highlighting this, which include:
If individuals don’t know what you’re working on, or where you are in your journey – you could be closing yourself off from opportunities for others to help you, and/or refer you to those who can.
In sharing your journey as an entrepreneur and the challenges you’ve faced; you’re not only helping and connecting with those around you but are building morale in a safe space for others to follow in your footsteps. In this framework from MindFrame Connect, we hear from entrepreneur-in-residence, Permjot Valia as he discusses the importance of storytelling and it’s long serving role as a mechanism for teaching and influencing others, and the benefits you gain from shared knowledge.
Learn More
Learn more about Coach Carey’s journey as an entrepreneur and her training towards individual’s self-awareness, resilience, and sustainable success by visiting her website.
Resources
The Power of Positive Speech: How Choosing the Right Words Defines Your Reality Forbes.com
Want incredible results from your mentorship program? Then download our comprehensive list of best practices.
We draw these best practices from the first-hand experience of program managers like you and our own expertise. This white paper is a comprehensive guide that will be your roadmap to building a world-class mentoring program.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Related Resources
Reducing Barriers and Building Networks for Black Founders to Thrive
.png)
