The Human Entrepreneur: Cultivating Mental Wellness for Business Breakthroughs | Don Carter

Let's be really honest for a moment. Often when it comes to business, we tend to forget that it's really all about people. Real people. Human beings with dreams, fears, and aspirations. It's about individuals exchanging something of value with one another. In the startup world, we often talk about business being about finding problems and solving them. But solving problems for whom??Right… the people we just referenced a few lines ago.??

Yet, in the pursuit of growth and success in our businesses, we tend to not only diminish the recognition of the real humans we serve,?but we also neglect our own humanity. As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, I submit to you that one of the most powerful business strategies you can employ is mental health, or as I prefer to call it “mental wellness”,?as a foundation for your growth and fulfillment.

In the relentless pursuit of business growth, many of us tend to be willing to sacrifice ourselves and our well-being. We unknowingly put our mental health on the line, fueled by stress, overwhelm, and the weight of constant uncertainty. Whether it's the pressure of making payroll or the fear of not meeting our customers' expectations, these burdens take their toll. And let's not forget about the other facets of life that make their marks on our sense of wellbeing for better or worse – relationships, parenting, physical health. They all have an impact.

Let this be a reminder to you of possibly the most important aspect of your business: you - the founder. Some people believe their customers are the most important. Others believe it’s their investors or other stakeholders. Again, all of these are human beings and if you esteem them, esteem yourself as well -?that you are a person, a human being, and you deserve to be cared for. Your mental wellness is not an optional luxury; it is the essence of everything you do. Without your well-being, everything else loses its meaning.

So, how can we bring mental health into our businesses as a growth strategy??

We’ll remember, it’s mental health AWARENESS month.?

I’d argue that the most powerful thing you can do to fuel the growth of your business, especially in the earliest stages of your company, is to grow your practice of mindfulness and self-awareness.?If you’re thinking that sounds weird. I get it. But it doesn’t have to be something mysterious or strange. Let me explain.

Imagine this: You're juggling countless tasks, deadlines, and expectations, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. You find yourself getting lost in the chaos, losing touch with who you truly are and why you embarked on this entrepreneurial journey in the first place.?

Then in a sudden but subtle moment of clarity, you pause.

You take a deep breath, reconnecting with your inner self, and remembering your purpose, your values, and the impact you want to make. In that moment, you tap into the immense power of mindfulness and self-awareness.

When we cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness, we create space for reflection, understanding, and compassion - all things immensely beneficial to humans. We recognize that our well-being is the foundation upon which our businesses thrive. It is in those moments of presence that we gain clarity, make wiser decisions, and unlock our greater potential.

So here’s my charge to you before Mental Health Awareness Month fully closes out:?

Take just a moment today to reflect on your own mental wellness. Are you prioritizing it as much as you prioritize your business? Embrace mindfulness and self-awareness as tools to reconnect with your inner self, to remember your purpose, and to make?conscious?choices aligned with your values. Nourish your mind and body, seek support from like-minded individuals who understand your journey, let vulnerability be your strength, and not let the lack of it become your most insidious weakness.

Remember, the success of your business is intricately tied to your own well-being. By nurturing your mental wellness, you create a solid foundation for sustainable growth, creativity, and fulfillment.

Let’s rewrite our own narratives of the entrepreneurial journey – one’s that celebrate the human side of business, where we prioritize ourselves alongside our ventures and the people we serve with them. That way, we can build not only successful businesses but also lives filled with purpose and well-being.

Now get after it. You’re worth it.?

Don Carter