On Monday, I had the chance to speak with a group of young entrepreneurs about how to build an entrepreneurial mindset. This 2025 group from Youth Mean Business was impressive—they were engaged, curious, and full of great questions and thoughtful answers. Talking to them made me wonder why I waited until my 40s to start my own business.
To prepare for that talk, I went over the things that helped me the most in developing my own mindset. This way of thinking can truly change how you live and work. It’s not just about building a business—it’s about adding value, solving problems, and becoming more resilient. And just like Trix cereal, these ideas aren’t only for kids. Anyone can use them. Even silly rabbits.
17 Ways to Help You Build an Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Spend Time With Other Entrepreneurs
Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
If you want to think like an entrepreneur, spend time with them. Entrepreneurs look at things differently. Get around them. Read their stories. Ask them questions. It’s one of the fastest ways to shift how you think. And if you’re always around negative people, consider making a change. - Use Your Energy and Excitement
Bring your energy into everything you do. It helps things move forward and draws in the right people—customers, partners, and employees. - Make Things
James Clear once said, “Education teaches you to analyze. Entrepreneurship teaches you to create.”
So, always be creating—whether it’s a business, a system, a process, a blog, a newsletter, or even a list like this one. - Take Action
People who don’t take action just talk. Entrepreneurs move.
When you spot an opportunity, take a step toward it. Often, the next step becomes clear only after you begin. Planning is helpful, but waiting until everything is perfect will hold you back. Success doesn’t come from an elevator ride—it comes from taking the stairs. - Don’t Aim for Perfection
Perfectionists try to get everything exactly right—and that slows things down.
Entrepreneurship is often messy. It starts with simple, sometimes rough ideas that get better over time. Make a basic version, then improve it as you go. - Let Yourself Be a Beginner
One of the best things I did was give myself permission to be an amateur.
It took the pressure off and let me learn from my mistakes. I now do this in every part of my life—as a parent, husband, speaker, coach, blogger, and content creator.
It helps me keep growing and stay open to feedback. - Read Often
Read wherever and whenever you can. Entrepreneurs need knowledge in many areas.
Read books about business, success stories, and motivational topics. Try audiobooks if you’re busy. The more you read, the more prepared you’ll be. - Be Someone Others Can Trust
The most important part of becoming an entrepreneur is earning trust.
People work with you when they believe in you. So keep your word. Be on time. Deliver what you say you will. Trust builds strong business relationships. - Think of Your Business Like a Video Game
Entrepreneurs face tough challenges. So do video game players—and they keep going because it’s fun to beat each level.
When things get hard, treat them like part of the game. Each win helps you grow and move forward. - Build Friendships
Every opportunity comes through people.
The more people you know, the better. My first client was a friend from middle school.
Meet new people. Stay in touch. Give more than you take. When you reach out just to say hello, those connections become stronger—and more helpful down the road. - Grab Chocolate Milk
Adults often meet over coffee, drinks, or dinner. I don’t drink alcohol, so I grab chocolate milk, soda, or even ice cream.
It doesn’t matter what you sip. What matters is having real conversations that help build trust, share ideas, and create new chances to work together. - Be a Problem Solver
Every business solves a problem.
Look for problems. Practice finding ways to fix them. Replace “I can’t do that” with “How could I do that?”
That simple shift opens the door to better thinking. - Stay Focused
The more you focus, the better your results.
FOCUS = Focus On Completely Until Solved
Give full attention to what matters most. Do fewer things, but do them well. - Be Ready to Make Sacrifices
Entrepreneurship means giving up some things now to gain more later.
Sometimes you skip comfort today to build freedom tomorrow. Don’t rush to eat the first marshmallow—save it for something better. - Spill Some Milk, But Keep the Cow
You’ll lose money sometimes. That’s normal.
Just don’t lose the source of your income. If you keep your core business strong, you’ll always have a way to recover. - Bet on Yourself
You are your best investment.
You can control your actions, effort, and creativity. So bet on yourself—and work hard to back that bet. - Avoid Burnout
This isn’t a sprint. It’s a long race.
Take care of yourself. Rest when you need it. Pace your efforts so you can keep going for the long haul.
Key Takeaway
Having an entrepreneurial mindset means approaching life with the goal of adding value, solving problems, and growing stronger. When you work on this mindset, you don’t just build businesses—you create things that help people and make the world better.
And remember, once you’ve learned something helpful, share it. Helping others grow is one of the best ways to add value and make a real difference.
