Mindset – or more specifically working on our mindset – is a common idea to many one person business owners.

As entrepreneurial people, many of us are focussed on self improvement, self development and continuing to evolve and grow personally as well as professionally.

We consume resources – like podcasts, books, and courses – that focus on mindset, which help us to understand our own mindset challenges.

And while there are benefits to this – it also means that it can become almost instinctive to link any hesitation or resistance that we have towards an idea, a change, or a decision to a need to work on our mindset.

provides, along with a business that is more fulfilling and enjoyable than ever.

We often believe that our perceived resistance is a sign of self-sabotage. For example:

• If we don’t want to hire staff members, we can think we have a mindset issue that is ‘keeping us small’
• If we don’t want to double our prices, we can think we have a mindset issue about ‘charging our worth’
• And if we feel hesitation around particular advice relating to our offerings, we can think we need to work on our mindset and push forward.

However, mindset isn’t always the answer. And in our focus to ‘improve’ our mindset, we miss something more important:

What our gut is telling us, based on our own unique situation, personality and values.

You don’t have a mindset issue because you question the norm.

When your gut tells you that conforming to the status quo or the way business is typically done, isn’t right for you, it’s not always your mindset that needs work.

It’s in these moments, that you need to trust your instincts and realise that what sets you apart from the mainstream is what makes you unique.

In the first couple of years of running my business, I didn’t know how business was ‘meant’ to be done. It really was a case of ‘ignorance is bliss’!

I knew I wanted to bring small business owners together, and teach Instagram marketing to them – and do it in a beautiful, unique and inspiring place. So I contacted a local business owner, who ran a perfumery, and asked if I could hire her space to run my workshop. She agreed (thank you Kate!).

However, it wasn’t until after I started running these workshops that I was given some unsolicited advice from another local one person business owner: that to be taken ‘seriously’ I should hire a boardroom, and use a whiteboard.

This could have thrown me, and seen me conform, if I hadn’t trusted my own intuition, my own ideas and my approach to business. Instead, I had local business owners calling me about my booked out workshops, offering to sit on the floor if they needed to, in order to have a place.

However, I haven’t always succeeded at trusting my gut. Not too long ago, a coach I was working with suggested a new offering to me. Immediately my gut told me this wasn’t the right structure for how I know that I like to work.

However, after thinking about it some more, I thought perhaps my strong resistance wasn’t because I really knew myself – but instead it could have been a mindset issue of mine and a chance to move through some blocks.

So despite my resistance to it, I created and marketed this new offering. Can you guess what happened?

Hate is a strong word – and I won’t go that far! But this offer wasn’t the right fit for my vision of my business, my personality type, and how I like to work.

I wrapped it up, with a reminder to always trust that I know myself best.

Business coaches, mentors and teachers are priceless. But their role is not to tell you how to run your business.

Frustratingly I’m sure, for some of my students, I won’t tell them how to price their offers.

Instead, I’ll help them to come to a decision, based on their knowledge of their industry, their ideal customers, their personality and ideal business, and what feels right to them.

The more we get to know ourselves, and trust ourselves, the more our business will work for us.

Getting to know yourself doesn’t take a huge amount of effort. And it’s not one and done – because our needs, our circumstances and even our personalities can change over time.

Some of my go-to tools to help me tap into my personality, intuition and values are:

• Personality tests (I’m an INFJ in Myer Briggs)
• Getting clear on what my ideal business – and ideal day – looks like
• Defining my core business values and making decisions through the lens of these (Inspire, Delight, Connect)
• Seeking out examples of business owners whose values and lifestyle priorities align with mine, to open up my mind to new ways of doing things
• Forgiving myself when I get it wrong. Because we are not going to always get this perfect.

The upside of knowing ourselves is enormous for our business:

1. More authentic: Instead of conforming to the status quo, you’ll be more authentic and genuine in your approach.
2. More creative: Intuitive decisions can open doors to unconventional and new ways of doing things!
3. More unique: Your business will reflect your personality and beliefs, which will help you build a distinct and memorable brand.
4. More resilient: You’ll be better equipped to face challenges and setbacks, knowing that your decisions are rooted in what truly matters to you.
5. More fulfilled: Your work will better align with your passions and values.
6. More genuine connections: Your authentic approach will help you to build stronger and more meaningful connections – based on shared values – with your audience and customers. 
7. More calm: Instead of second-guessing yourself, you’ll know that your decisions are based on what is right for you, which can lead to less stress and more confidence.

Mindset work often assumes a one-size-fits-all approach to success.

And that we ‘should’ think or run our business in a certain way, and if we don’t, then there’s something wrong with us.

The truth is: there is no one right way to succeed.

The world of one person businesses is increasingly diverse, as it should be – with endless opportunities and ways of making it work.

Imagine being able to make business decisions with confidence, knowing that they are based on a deep understanding of what truly matters and works for you.

That is what really knowing – and trusting – yourself (instead of thinking you need to fix yourself)