YOUR GREATEST ASSET

by Raj Suppiah | jan 2,2023 | entrepreneurship

2022 was a challenging year. Moreso than the two years prior. While the COVID years were survival, this year was recovery. And recovery is hard. While survival is primal, recovery is cerebral.

My mental health was challenged and thanks to my support systems and some reality checks, I learned that my greatest asset as an entrepreneur is MYSELF specifically my mental health and my mindset.

Going into 2023, I'm still recovering, and rebuilding. The comeback never stops.

Here's a few strategies I am using, which we all can, to keep improving on our mindsets:

Know yourself

This isn’t as easy as you think. It can take years to flush through the trauma and emotions, but constant self reflection and understanding what what mentally strains you is important. And know how you will react to those strains. It can be certain projects, conversations, events, both professionally, socially or family. Don't avoid these things. Prepare yourself for them.

Rest, Reserve and Re-Energize

You can't do everything at once. Treat your brain like your body. If you know you're going into a mentally straining situation, reserve capacity for it. Do something that energizes you to help you prepare for difficult things. You will also be saving up reserve for those unplanned situations that always occur (think “saving for a rainy day.”)

Social Connection over Social Media.

Surround yourself with positive people who inspire you. Spend the time to build deeper connections. Social media is a tool, but use it wisely. Break up your social media time: learning/inspiration time, chatting time and random scrolling time (this is the one you want to keep to a minimum).

Exercise Often. Eat, Sleep and Drink Well.

Challenge your brain and your body. Start the day with a workout or a run. End the day with a book, crossword or gratitude. Eating, sleeping and hydrating well gives your brain and body the best ability to function. Be consistent.

Gratitude and Optimism

Learn, listen, watch and/or read about people who have overcome and endured adversity. Turn your “less” into more. Each time a problem (or situation) happens, think about your privilege and the positives that led up to it. Perspective is a heck of a teacher.

Be outcome focused

Treat problems as situations for learning. Don't let them take you away from what you are trying to achieve. Stick to your vision. Double down on yourself. Focus on what you need to get done. Create goals for everything from a work project to booking a family vacation.

Make Time for Emotions

Getting emotional over uncontrollable or unfortunate situations is normal. Block out time to yell, cry, reflect, breath and process. Talk about them with your accountability partner, or health care provider. Give your brain the outlet it deserves. Do not quash or avoid them. Otherwise, they will inhibit your ability to focus on and accomplish your goals.

Accountability partner(s)

Have people in your corner. People that support you but also challenge you. People that encourage you to keep becoming better. Big ups to my wife and accountability partner, Shruti, for never letting me use the "I run my own business" excuse for showing up to be a better husband and father.

Happy new year and here’s to a healthier and better you!

Raj