Like so many other entrepreneurs, Steve has found himself overwhelmed — unsure of his future and that of his business. He feels in the dark as to how he ended up here. It all started so great but sitting here now, he feels his business sucks, his life sucks, and he sucks!

Mindset is a critical determinant of success and happiness. Much has been made of Dr. Carol Dweck’s theory of fixed and growth mindset, and rightfully so. Dweck has shown the tremendous benefit of those have a growth mindset, believing in effort and development, rather than a fixed mindset, seeing what you have as static and set, for people to learn, grow, and achieve. I think a positive mindset is essential to being a successful entrepreneur.

With all the demands of the business staying positive can feel like pushing a rock up an icy hill. But that positive mindset is the critical determinant of thinking as an entrepreneur finding ways for innovation and growth. How do we get the rock up that hill?

A number of studies have repeatedly shown that what we say we want from our working lives are money and recognition followed closely by the ability to work independently and to make a difference in the world.

But is the way we are working answering those needs and giving us what we want?

I looked around the office. I was alone. Seeing the empty desks with everyone gone I felt both proud of what we were achieving and also an immediate tightness in my shoulders. Thinking about the pressure of paying for all of this every day, every week and every month had become a pain lodged in my lower back. It started in my shoulders and worked its way down. Any little move could end up in a painful wrench of my back. It was crazy.

The trait people most admire in entrepreneurs is their passion. That sense of positive energy for making a change in the world and doing something meaningful. It drives you to start and build your business, to put in those long hours, and set your life aside to make it happen. You draw on it to persevere against the unexpected demands and obstacles that block your way to making your business vision a reality. Passion sustains you to sweat and do what you have to do.

Each year we set the target. We want to see revenues and profits increase. We are motivated to grow the business.

Interestingly, the number most entrepreneurs choose for the annual growth of their business is 20 per cent. It’s a nice round number. We set it, talk to our team, and hope that it happens.

It’s that time of year. You are setting goals, making resolutions, and hoping that some of them will actually happen this time around.

January is always filled with optimism. I know in my heart that this year is going to be different – and better – than the last. I am ready and invested in doing something big but by early February life will probably take over and distract me with opportunities and problems again.

Not this time! I will not let it happen.