How To Control Your Emotions As An Entrepreneur

Being a startup founder is not only about putting just your ‘brains’, but also putting your ‘heart’ into things. Sometimes, when you realise that those things which you were building with so much love, and passion are on the verge of getting scrambled down, your entire world seems to be falling apart. And in that instance, one thing that obviously happens is – losing control over yourself. Yelling on your team, speaking offensively in public, putting rude statements in media, sitting with head down for a drop in sales target – trust me, all this would never going to help you in the long run.

Mitchell Harper, a startup coach, 5X founder, advisor and investor, believes that the one skill that every entrepreneur needs is knowing how to control your emotions during worst scenarios.

“Maybe 5 years ago, I would have sent a nasty email to people running the campaign, but I have learnt that it has never been a right approach and that will frustrate you more than anything else,” said Harper.

He further added, “What I do now is, quickly see the result, and get answers quickly. Getting on the phone, what is the problem, contributing what I have and coming away from that feeling very soon. There was just a temporary setback. And then quickly devoting my focus on something else, knowing that it’s under control. For instance, this morning I was just taking a walk.”

Here is a 2-minute video to get more insight from Harper.

So, how anyone would recognise whether he or she is an emotionally strong entrepreneur? Here are 10 pointers by Gurbaksh Chahal, an Indian-American internet entrepreneur and writer. By the age of 25, he founded and sold two advertising companies for a total of $340 Mn.

According to Gurbaksh, emotionally strong entrepreneurs,

1. never feel sorry for themselves.
2. don’t do things they don’t want to do
3. don’t fear change
4. don’t hold grudges
5. don’t feel the world “owes them a living”
6. always give back
7. decide to be happy
8. don’t squander mental energy on what they can’t control
9. always believe in themselves
10. aren’t scared of taking risks

Life is and will always be a roller-coaster ride and a bit more exciting and thrilling if you are a startup founder. Remember, it’s you who have chosen this life for yourself. Being emotionally stronger will only add on to your skills and pull you a step forward.