The famous ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ is the subject of many books, podcasts and an infinite number of online articles – this one included – but can we learn how to have one? Pretty Slow’s Alessia Armenise asked entrepreneur and purpose guide Minal Bhanshali to teach her her ways.
I have been fascinated with entrepreneurs all my life, probably thanks to TV. Their lives seemed so exciting and full of freedom that I grew up thinking that must be the ultimate life goal: to make something that is all yours and to build the life you have always wanted.
Growing up, I have always been surrounded by people that did fairly traditional jobs – the classic 9 to 5 that didn’t make me daydream of having that life. Working in media seemed to be the good balance of a stable job – I clearly didn’t know what I was getting myself into! – and an exciting career ahead.
The idea to create something that was mine, that I could build from the ground up, always stayed in the back of my mind but, being a very pragmatic person, I always found some kind of reason to push this idea further and further back. I was either too young, too busy or not economically stable enough to embark on a challenge like that.
Then a global pandemic happened, and people seemed to wake up from a long slumber. New companies started to pop up from everywhere. People that lost their jobs reinvented themselves. Some created incredibly successful brands with not much more than some savings and a lot of creativity. All these incredible examples around me and yet, I found myself still dubious that I could really make it happen.
It dawned on me that, if I ever wanted to understand what exactly was blocking me, I would have to go further than a self-help book recommended by Goodreads.
While recording Pretty Slow’s podcast dedicated to green businesses, Pretty Good Business, I had the chance of meeting (through my laptop) Minal Bhanshali, founder of candle brand 7 Over 7 and (as I later discovered) purpose guide.
As a purpose guide, I empower early-stage entrepreneurs through the embodiment of their higher-self, using transformative modalities for self-discovery. Together, we work to build the clarity and energy needed in moving the needle on your purpose-led business, in a way that is perfectly aligned with your most authentic self.
Minal Bhanshali
We set up a date for the first session and, I am not going to lie, I was a bit nervous. I don’t usually like to share much of what’s in my head and, when I do, it’s generally with the same (and very few) people. A lot of things, I just keep to myself. So I was a bit scared at the idea of having to answer some tricky questions, even if I knew it was for my own good.
Thankfully, Minal is lovely, and I think she spotted the confusion in my head pretty quickly but didn’t show it. Through a series of questions and mindful exercises, we managed to understand what was holding me back from doing what I have been thinking about for years: me. Sometimes our own expectations and perception of ourselves can be the reasons we unconsciously use for sabotaging our dreams.
One thing in particular that I found very useful during our conversation has been the concept of being our own mentor. After a slow, mindful preparation, I was able to see my future self (or at least the one I have in my head) and – it could sound strange, but it’s true – seeing that I could be ok, that I was, in fact, happy and fulfilled in that parallel universe twenty years from now, gave me an immediate sense of calm and the realisation that I can only be truly happy if I listen to myself instead of doing what I think I should do.
After a week of pondering about myself and my business idea, when it got to the time to have our second meeting, I felt that I had made quite a significant shift. While I was getting more sure of myself and my potential, the idea that I had had in my head for years was changing (a lot), getting refined and started to resemble something that I could be proud of. Who knows how long this process would have taken me if I didn’t grab the chance of spending three hours with Minal.
And as she said to me: if not you, who?
Minal Bhanshali’s top tips for cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset:
- Learn to look at obstacles as opportunities for enhancing your product and processes. You will encounter new roadblocks often on this journey and so becoming solution-centric is what will keep you going, free from overwhelm and frustration.
- Build those practices into your routine that brings you into your flow state – those activities where you lose track of time, of your self-limiting beliefs and your bodily needs (like hunger!). For me, it’s my meditation practice, painting and long rides on my road bike. It’s in these states where you will receive inspiration, ideas and clarity of mind.
- Entrepreneurship isn’t about the hustle; it’s about the life you choose to lead. Be clear about your vision for your company as much as for your personal quality of life, and keep this in mind each day. Sure, there will be those days and weeks where you’ll be working non-stop, but be very intentional with when you work hard and when you rest and ENJOY life, just as hard!
