Brain food for entrepreneurs

By Nathi Gule

“Our life’s battles are either won or lost in our minds. That is why it is very imperative that you maintain a positive mindset.” This is a quote by Bakhe Dlamini, a Community Psychologist, Author and Speaker. He shares this content in a book I recommend for startups and future pursuers written by yours truly entitled: Pocketbook of Positivity. You will ask, ‘What does a tiny book on looking at life with rose-coloured glasses have to do with my business journey?.’ My answer is that it has everything to do with it.

After mentoring over 500 young people in all four regions in Eswatini, for five years on business, the common denominator between those who succeed and those who do not is mindset.

Now when I mentor, coach or train, I work more on the mind than the books. Once the mind is in the right space, you will reach for the textbook voluntarily. Additionally, the right mindset sets you on course for all the business plan inputs and ensures that you can positively brand yourself and the company you want to start. You need to eat the right food for the brain, and the best is reading insightful books.

It is often said that our inputs will determine our outputs. The information or stimuli we receive (input) influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours (output).

Therefore on an entrepreneurial journey, it is important to ensure you get the right inputs for a proper harvest. To that end, start-up entrepreneurs need to invest in the right books to read.

Entrepreneurship books are valuable resources for startups. They provide knowledge, practical advice, inspiration, and strategies to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. By learning from the experiences of others, startup founders can enhance their decision-making, optimize their business operations, and increase their chances of success.

Choosing the topic: In this series, I will share lessons from The Pocketbook of Positivity. Why my book? Well, because I also want to share an important business lesson with all startups: never produce what you would not buy or consume. Never own products you would not market at any opportunity. As a writer the first book I would recommend is my own, if not my own then it would mean I was distributing a defective product. Though produced in 2021, its lessons still hold firm today and I hope you enjoy them. Note the book is designed with imagery so as to keep one captivated until the last page and each affirmation is brief making it a quick read.

To succeed in business you cannot do so without positive thinking. Positive thinking is the main ingredient of success.

Key Lessons

1. Daily affirmations: The book has 21 affirmations. Daily affirmations serve as reminders of goals and aspirations, keeping entrepreneurs motivated and focused. Affirmations can help maintain a clear vision of what needs to be achieved, providing the drive and determination necessary to stay on track and persevere through obstacles.

2. Positive outputs: Maintaining a positive mindset helps entrepreneurs develop resilience and effectively navigate challenges and setbacks. For example in the book Day 16 states: Prepare for the worst and hope for the best and the rest comes. Positive thinkers are more likely to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and find creative solutions to problems. They approach difficulties with a can-do attitude, which can lead to better problem-solving skills.

3. Testimonials: The book features various testimonials on the power of positive thinking. One of these is by a finalist of the Global Entrepreneurship World Cup from Saint Lucia. The finalist was mentored by me as part of my adventure on the global stage and he made it to the Top 10 of the Idea Stage entrants. He shares how staying positive helped him and can help you.

4. Life as a DIY: The book also features a write-up from the author’s personal experiences on success and concludes that life is a Do-It-Yourself project. That we need to talk to the man in the mirror, change and take on the world.

5. Spirituality and success: Quite interestingly, the book also features Pastor Bakhe Dlamini who at the time was on a growth trajectory that has today seen him as one of the best personalities in the region. One quote he shares is: “Each day, you need to convince yourself that there is a better life, that you can make it, and that you are good enough.” To find out the lessons he shares one needs to get their hands on his self-penned contribution.

With all this said, positive thinking should not be seen as a substitute for critical thinking or a realistic assessment of challenges. It is about maintaining a constructive and optimistic mindset while acknowledging and addressing potential obstacles.

To get ahead keep learning, keep reading, and keep positive.

For a free copy of the above-mentioned book, click: .. http://www.barcodecreative.net/assets/files/Pocket-BookOfPositivityByNathiGule.pdf

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ABOUT NATHI GULE

Nathi Gule is a globally-accredited business mentor, writer, Eswatini News columnist, and marketing and public relations consultant. Nathi’s passion for entrepreneurship and empowering young people is evident in his role as a business mentor and facilitator of startup toolkits. He is known for his ability to articulate complex concepts in a relatable manner, making him a respected writer and columnist. Nathi’s leadership, expertise, and dedication to community development have earned him recognition both locally and internationally.