Most aspiring entrepreneurs begin their journey with an idea of what it is they want to do. They have certain images of what this journey will look like. They have mapped out their path. They have done their research. They are energized because of how their “heroes” have done what they want to do. They are set.

This excitement serves as the adrenaline to their bodies. They are charging full-steam ahead. Their mind is set. The bow is pulled back and they are ready to release their idea to the world. This was me a few years back. All I saw was a straight line to my bullseye target … my business success. And then one setback after another came my way.

Sheer Determination

My determination kept me going. The adrenaline rush carried me through those times. But as is true, if there is no replenishing, that rush wanes over time. It happened to me.

Discouragement, apathy, feelings of depression, doubts and other emotions crept in sometimes all at once but mostly separately. Could I pull myself out of these feelings? Was this all a fantasy that I needed to give up?

The line was no longer straight. There were zigs and zags, twists and turns, starts and stops, ups and downs. This was the pattern that now governed my life.

Decision Time

It was now decision time. Do I keep going? Do I abandon my dream? Was I delusional? Can I get through this? These were some of the questions I had to process. There were no clear answers, but something in me compelled me to continue.

I realized that I had to be as flexible as I possibly could be. The twists and turns, zigs and zags, ups and downs, would have dealt a crippling blow had I remained inflexible.

As I hung on for dear life, I realized that I was adjusting to these changes and began to accept them. I made the necessary and immediate changes so I could stay on the ride and not be thrown off.

Making Necessary Changes

These changes came in the form of tweaking my initial idea, throwing out what was no longer relevant or no longer worked, and adding parts that made more sense at this point in the journey.

What was left after all the modifications was hardly recognizable as what I began with. Nonetheless, it was much better. I felt re-energized and ready to go all the way.

I adopted a flexible mindset, which became my new norm. And then the light bulb went on: Success in your business–your entrepreneurial journey–require having a flexible mindset.

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” – Tony Robbins

Here are 3 tips on how to adopt this mindset:

1. Think of your options

Do you make changes or quit? Quitting cannot be an option. This is something that you have to tell yourself. You might have to re-read some books, listen to some inspiring talks like those of the late Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Earl Nightingale, Tony Robbins and others.

2. Join a mastermind group 

Surround yourself with those who are like-minded and are on a similar journey. Make sure you find a group with people who are doing what you want to be doing. They should be a couple of steps ahead of you but not too far ahead. That could backfire and become discouraging.

3. Revisit your why 

It is important that you go back from time to time to remind yourself of why you started this journey. Remind yourself of how you felt–your frustration with life as it was.

What you’ll find is that once you have explored these tips, your mindset will begin leaning to one of flexibility. It will be a conclusion that you come to as you weigh your options, listen to others and remind yourself as to your why.

As you make plans for starting your journey or if you are struggling in your journey, make sure to tell yourself these words: STAY FLEXIBLE!

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” – Albert Einstein

How do you react when things do not go as expected? Do you take deep breaths, talk with a friend, or struggle? Let us know by commenting below!