The only way out is through. – Rober Frost
Sam Altman once said that the most underrated quality of an entrepreneur is the quality of being determined. It’s not the brains, the background, the network or a great idea that determine if you eventually win, but your level of determination.
Why?
Because the hardest thing in business, specifically in a start-up, is to deal with an enormous amount of stress and the pressure on a daily basis.
Stress comes in all kinds of forms and areas in life and many of us view stress as something negative.
Indeed, research studies show that stress is most likely to be harmful.
But the research also shows that our mindset – the way we look at stress, predicts how well we deal with it.
If you believe that stress is helpful you are more satisfied in life, less depressed, more productive at work, and have greater confidence in your abilities to deal with the challenges.
At simplistic but practical level, stress refers to the total amount of pressure and demands you are under, minus your capacities, resources and adaptations.
The equation looks like this: S(tress) = P(pressure) – C(capacity)
How can you start to perceive stress as something positive? How do you persevere under pressure?
To turn stress into something positive is to focus on your character strengths that represent the central element of stress management.
The first step is the discovery.
To increase awareness of your strengths you can visit character strengths profile, which is a gold standard for this type of assessment. You will discover different groups of your strengths, but the most important are your signature strengths.
Your signature strengths describe your identify, and are:
- Essential, at the core of who you are
- Energising, they uplift you when you use them
- Effortless, they act as your default mode.
If you reflect on your past experiences when you were at your best, you will get the idea of your unique capacities.
Everybody has a different set of strengths, but let’s look at one set: humour, creativity, learning, curiosity and appreciation of beauty & excellence.
The second step is the application.
Sometimes we just need a reminder of our capacity, other times we need to use them deliberately.
How does this look in practice?
It’s about setting yourself for the day with the intention: how to best use your strengths when stressors arise.
To prepare:
(1) Name an upcoming stressful event, difficult conversation, or a problem you will be likely facing (today).
(2) Think about your signature strength. How might you use them with the stressors? Play out the scenario. What specific action will you take?
(3) When the situation is about to occur, prime yourself with the strength. What might you do to remind yourself (before a a meeting, presentation etc)
Next, know that your strength can be used inward and outward, which enables you to see your strength creatively.
When used inward, you focus on yourself as you go about your day.
When used outward you focus the strength on another person to help grow the relationship.
For example, gratitude is typically outward focused while creativity more inward. However, think what happens when you get creative outwardly e.g. in a negotiation with a supplier or, when you turn gratitude inwards, towards yourself instead on the others?
To stay determined and persevere under pressure, increase your awareness about the strengths that come naturally to you.
Start your day intentionally by looking ahead and preparing how to best use what you are already good at.
Image: Alamy, Roger Federer.