The Best Mindset for Becoming a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur

What’s the mindset for becoming wildly successful?

Well if we’re trying to become more mindful or peaceful we’d be choosing a monk’s mentality. But we’re trying to become wildly successful in a highly competitive environment.

Remember the Spartans?

Probably the only culture synonymous with working hard and winning wars?

We humans are instinctive creatures and we know how to put up a good fight. Our reflexes have trained us in such a way that we avoid confrontation but rise to the challenge when needed.

Society can benefit from a few Spartan lessons, and the ones that need it the most are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs need to kickstart their inner warrior to be able to get a sense of boundless energy if they are to work long hours through dark times.

Why some people succeed, and others don’t come down to grit.

Grit is the one thing that stays in the mind long after the body has become tired and wants to delay tasks. If the instinct of grit is still inside of you then the Spartan way will make complete sense to you.

You don’t need to create a Spartan mindset, and you can very well cultivate it from the ground up. Attributes like discipline, structure and motivated may not be viewed as resembling that of a startup founder, but as Elon Musk put it best – being a startup founder is like eating glass and staring into the abyss.

There is so much uncertainty in the life of a startup that few people succeed beyond a few years, while others claim to give up and walk away.

The Spartan way is to create opportunities instead of waiting for them, and to strategize when you can’t see an appropriate plan of action ahead.

Here’s how you can tap into your inner Spartan –

1. Study Ancient Spartans

Spartans were some of the greatest forces of war in the ancient world, with under 300 Spartans fighting off several thousand Persian warriors. They had grit, strategy and a will to go beyond everyone’s expectations. They were dedicated and disciplined, which set them apart from their neighbours. They knew how to cultivate their emotions and how to create a strong balance between willpower and execution. They were feared by many and revered by all.

Their Spartan code taught them to fight in a “zen state” where they could have unlimited determination and focus. They didn’t need to give up as their inner being didn’t need rest. While they had their own families and desires to quit, they never let that be shown in the battle-field. Victory was something that was a prerequisite and not a result for the Spartans.

It was really simple for the Spartans – they just outworked every other army on Earth. They knew that they had the best skillset in the world and they worked harder and longer than any army in the ancient world. They didn’t any hacks or shortcuts, but instead relied on their acumen and stellar knowledge to guide the way. They didn’t need to switch in and out of “the zone”, as they were always in it from birth. They cultivated their instincts, just like entrepreneurs need to do so today.

2. Study Modern Spartans

The modern-day Spartans are the Navy SEALs who have taken the Spartan principles into the modern world. They not only practise their craft around the clock, but have developed a way to gain inner strength deep in the mind. Training, working hard and being committed to the task is what has created these modern Spartans. Have you committed yourself to your business? Are you dedicated?

Looking at modern-day artists and athletes, they invest more than 10,000 hours into their craft before they’re world-class. For the Navy SEALs, that’s just the beginning. They put in a tremendous amount of effort and talent into their practise and when it comes time to execute, there is no one readier than them for the job.

The Spartan training regiment, called “Hell Week” in the Navy SEALs is the most intense part of a BUDS training session. The trainees go 5.5 days without sleep and remain in the ocean. This tests their inner reserve and holds them accountable for their commitment to action. It’s a way to feel most alive and tested when you’re on your last wheels and you’re not 100% yourself.

This builds up EQ and how to deal with stress. They can recondition their minds to thinking clearer, by going through this daunting process of hell week. If these SEALs don’t pass the Hell Week, they aren’t eligible to participate in further activities. This is so that the SEALs only select the best of the best, and train talent that has some basic background in training and will power.

3. Know the Secret to a Spartan Mindset

After studying the Spartan way, you too can take advantage of their secrets. You need to reprogram the way that you handle stress and work. You can switch off from work just because it feels like it’s hard work or doesn’t have that “feel good” feeling anymore. If you’re determined enough to take the challenge head on, then your odds of survival increase tenfold. You can’t flip the switch that’s already on, and you don’t need to watch a motivational video to get you to get things going.

You can practise calmness under stressful situations by reassessing the situation in a calm tone. You don’t need to lose your cool and you’re not really in harm's way. If everything becomes like that, you have a better shot at performing at peak levels. You can go on in a limitless fashion and be truly free from your shackles.

Conclusion

If you’re looking towards motivational speakers or reading books about inspiration and stories, you need to look at the Spartan regiment and incorporate their principles. If you’re dedicated and committed, you can hone your skillset to performing at the next level of efficiency. You can take on any challenge and calmly process the information before reacting with emotion.