Emerging from lockdown: Stoke business coaches tips for business owners to remain happy

As lockdown continues to chip away at our general mood, there is no better time to reflect on how we can transform that feeling into happiness. And, with a sturdy timeline now leading us back to normality, it’s crucial that everyone, including business owners, adopts a positive attitude to ensure that it happens. The International Day of Happiness (March 20th) gave people the chance to reflect on the past 12 months, share positivity and express gratitude to those things in our lives that make us smile.

However, it’s much more deep-rooted than that, as sharing positivity should be an everyday activity. Although the results from this year’s World Happiness Report have dipped slightly, from 71% to 67%*, Ian Harford, a business growth specialist from ActionCOACH Stoke-on-Trent, gives insight into how business owners can remain positive, even during the most uncertain of times.

“Whilst the pandemic has had an impact on us all, some in unprecedented ways, there are certain things people can do to ensure their emotions don’t take too much of a hit,” said Ian. “Typically, your general mood will have an impact on everything else around you. So, if you’re feeling negative, other aspects of your life will seem that way too, and if you’re in a positive mood then everything else will shine a little brighter. This is not just key for our business lives, but in every other aspect too.”

Here are Ian’s tips for adopting a positive mental attitude for business owners, offering valuable takeaways to live in abundance.

• A win:win attitude. This is so important right now. As a close business community, business owners should be coming together to celebrate success, working to be more cooperative than competitive. That way, both parties can mutually benefit from a situation, and no one has to ‘lose’. This attitude brings three character traits needed within successful entrepreneurs – integrity, maturity and an abundance mentality.

• Practice gratitude. By doing this, it can considerably change your life. It is perhaps one of the most powerful sources of inspiration that anyone could tap into if they paid attention to it – put simply, it makes you appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t. However tough this past year has been, you should be proud that you’ve made it this far. Take a step back and examine what you’ve achieved up to this point.

• Actively make a change. Although it’s easier said than done, there are many exercises you can do to encourage your mind to be receptive to positivity. Below are three of my favourites:

1. Do the miracle morning. This worldwide phenomenon has been changing lives for many years now, allowing every participant to live in abundance. It consists of waking up earlier than you usually would and achieving something before your normal day begins. Getting something ticked off your list is a great kick-start.

2. Surround yourself with positivity. When you surround yourself with positive people, you’ll hear positive outlooks, stories and affirmations. These words will soon begin to align with your own thinking. This could be a friend, family member, business partner or mentor – whoever it is, you’ll need them by your side for support, whilst also holding you accountable for your actions.

3. Focus on the present. Not today, or this hour, but this exact moment. Forget about what happened five minutes ago and focus on what’s happening right now. Most sources of negativity stem from a memory of a recent event or the exaggerated imagination of a potential future event, so it’s crucial to remain grounded.

ActionCOACH Stoke-on-Trent are hosting a GrowthCLUB on the 8th April, for business owners to set their very own 90-day plans. The first session is free, and to sign up, please visit: www.stokeontrent.actioncoach.co.uk/events.

Notes to Editors

For more information, or to speak with Ian directly, please contact Liam on 07395 641 523 or liam@revpr.co.uk
Images attached: Ian Harford.

Sources:
* World Happiness Report, World Happiness Report 2020, March 2021.


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