From Paralyzed to Fearless: How the NATO Approach Transforms your Travel Business Mindset

The journey of entrepreneurship often leads us to put all our hopes into a single opportunity--the one big break, per se.

This approach can leave us open to heartbreak and paralysis when things don't work out as planned, as I've experienced quite a few times.

Today I'm sharing how adopting a NATO (Not Attached to the Outcome) mindset transformed my approach to business and opened up possibilities for growth.

The Power of Multiple Opportunities

When I first started my travel business, I was devastated when my Baker's Cruise concept fell through.

I've learned through the years to build up resilience by planting multiple seeds and nurturing different relationships at the same time.

Just like a farmer wouldn't plant just one seed and hope it flourishes, we shouldn't stake our business success on a single venture.

Action Steps:

1. Identify three different business opportunities you could pursue simultaneously
2. Use a PM tool to track and nurture multiple potential partnerships
3. Set up coffee chats with different potential collaborators

Building a Strong Network

Back in 2010, I limited myself to one potential partnership and when it didn't work out, I felt like a failure.

Today, I actively cultivate relationships across multiple communities and/or channels because 1- I like getting to know people who are doing great things and 2- It gives me a wider net for whenever I have opportunities presented to me.

Action Steps:

1. Join three different communities/channels where your ideal clients or partners gather
2. Schedule regular coffee chats with potential collaborators
3. Attend industry events with the goal of making three new meaningful connections

Trust Your Intuition

Learning to trust my gut instincts has been a game-changer in my business.

The more I lean into opportunities that give me an immediate "yes" feeling, the more aligned opportunities seem to appear.

Stay open to possibilities while staying true to your values.

Action Steps:

1. Create a list of your non-negotiable values and mission statements
2. Rate potential opportunities on a scale of 1-10 for alignment with your values
3. Practice saying no to opportunities that don't give you an immediate positive feeling

Making the First Move

Being bold enough to make the first move has opened countless doors in my business.

What started as a simple offer to help with a project led to opportunities I never could have imagined.

This boldness comes from necessity when your business is your full-time livelihood--I don't think I was nearly this gutsy when I still had a FT income.

Action Steps:

1. Identify three dream partnerships you'd love to create
2. Draft outreach messages for each potential partnership
3. Take action on one bold move this week, no matter how small

Investment in Mutual Growth

The most successful partnerships I've built are those where both parties invest equally in the relationship.

Just like in dating, it's important to recognize when someone is giving you crumbs versus truly investing in mutual success.

This awareness comes from not being attached to any single outcome.

Action Steps:

1. Evaluate your current partnerships for mutual benefit
2. Create clear expectations for new partnerships
3. Establish regular check-ins to evaluate partnerships over time

If you're ready to transform your business mindset and create multiple pathways to success, I invite you to listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast player.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about implementing the NATO strategy in your business – share your experiences in the comments below.

Resources

Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast