Entrepreneurship is an incredible journey, but let’s be real, it’s not always smooth sailing. There are moments when everything feels overwhelming when self-doubt creeps in, and when the negative thoughts start stacking up faster than wins.
As young entrepreneurs, we’re balancing innovation, growth, and often, the pressure to prove ourselves. When challenges arise, it’s easy to let the negativity take over. But here’s the truth: what we focus on expands. The more we dwell on what’s not working, the harder it becomes to see what is working.
That’s why we want to share a simple yet powerful mindset reset exercise that can help us break the cycle of overwhelm and retrain our brains to focus on progress, not problems.
And the best part? It only takes five minutes.
The 5-Minute Positive Reset Exercise
This isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about shifting our perspective, training our minds to see opportunities instead of obstacles, and taking control of our thought patterns.
Here’s how we do it:
Step 1: Set a Timer for 5 Minutes
Give yourself five focused minutes. No distractions, no multitasking, just a pen and two sheets of paper.
Step 2: List Every Positive Thing
On the first piece of paper, write down every single win, success, or positive thing happening in your business and life. Big or small, it all counts. Maybe we landed a new client, finished a project, learned a new skill, or even just showed up despite feeling discouraged. Write it all down.
Step 3: Acknowledge the Negatives, But Balance Them Out
If a negative thought comes up, write it on the second sheet. Here’s the rule: for every negative thought, we must write three positives on our first list. This trains our brain to shift away from negativity and reframe the narrative.
Step 4: Highlight Your Top Three Wins
Look over the positive list and circle the three things we’re most proud of. These are our power moves, the proof that we’re making progress.
Step 5: Keep the Positive, Ditch the Negative
Pin the positive list somewhere visible, on a desk, in a journal, or even in a phone’s notes. The negative list? Crumple it up and throw it away. If it’s something outside our control, it’s not worth carrying.
Why This Works
Our brains are wired to fixate on problems, it’s a survival instinct. But in business, that tendency can hold us back, making challenges seem bigger than they are. By actively writing down our wins and reinforcing the positives, we reprogram our mindset for resilience, confidence, and progress.
And no, just thinking about it isn’t enough. Writing it down creates a mind-body connection, helping our brains let go of negativity and amplify the positives.
Take Back Control of Your Mindset
As young entrepreneurs, challenges will come. But we control how we respond.
Next time we feel overwhelmed, let’s grab a pen, set a timer, and do this exercise. It might feel simple, but the impact is real.
Try it and let us know, does this help shift your mindset? And if you have your own go-to strategy for breaking out of negativity, share it with the community. Let’s help each other keep the positive train rolling.
