By John White, Jr.
Most successful entrepreneurs think outside the box. They live outside the box. In order to know how to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, there are two things we need to address: an entrepreneurial mindset and what it means to be out of the box.
Are You Boxed In?
This box is a dream killer and it’s an entrepreneur crusher. So, where did this box come from? And how did we get in it? Here are my thoughts on what this box is.
It starts when you’re a child. They send you to school to get an education and while getting an education is essential and crucial, one of the dangers of formal education is that in school they start putting you into the box.
They tell you to get a good education so you can get a good-paying job and then, after 20 or 30 years, you can retire and start living the life of luxury. They tell you that’s how you become a success in life.
So, we go through Elementary, Middle and Secondary School with a box mentality. And when we go to college and university, we’re still stuck with the box mentality, right? Then what happens after that? We jump right into the box and get a job.
Incidentally, a job is almost like school:
- You get up early and get to work at eight or nine o’clock.
- Take a break at 10:15, and a lunch break, if you are lucky.
- Go home at six o’clock and get stuck in traffic.
There’s a typical life, still in the box, still following tasks, still doing what they’re told, so they can get a paycheck and try to simply exist.
What’s the Box Telling You?
So, we build our whole life doing all this stuff so when we retire, we can have an amazing life. But what happens when we retire? Do you know that lots of people who retire die shortly after retirement? They did what the box said and now they’re in a box in the ground.
Why? Because they let the box destroy their dreams, vision and purpose. They felt they had nothing else to live for and as a result, passed on.
Live Outside the Box
Don’t let the box steal your dreams, vision, and purpose! It’s time to live life outside the box and fulfill your destiny. What you have to do is get rid of that box mentality and start living your dreams. If you ever want to get outside of the box, the first thing that you’re going to have to do is change your mindset.
How Important is Mindset?
It is, arguably, the most important tool that an entrepreneur has at his or her disposal. That’s because no matter what kind of business you’re trying to run or kind of entrepreneurial venture you’re attempting, your success, whether inside or outside of the box, has everything to do with your own positive attitude.
- Many people inside the box aren’t even aware that they have a negative attitude. Many people have negative self-talk going on, down deep where no one else sees, but to the world they put on a positive face.
- Only you can decide if you need to work on your mindset before reaching your dreams.
- To live outside the box, you must destroy the negative image you have about yourself and process the effects of toxic experiences in a positive way.
When trying to achieve life goals, your positive, determined mindset will keep you focused on your dreams and purpose – no matter how hard the trial is.
There’s a lot you can learn while being inside the box. However, it is vitally important to remember this key point: never let the box steal your dreams! Change your mindset because a positive mindset is the most important tool that you have at your disposal. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur, then it’s time to live outside the box.
About the Author
John White, Jr. is the Digital Marketing Director for White On White Enterprises that provides proven systems of success to correctly start and effectively operate a thriving business.
John helps serious Growth-Minded Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses get the clarity, direction and focus they need to drive their business forward from strategy to effective marketing.
