Would you like to grow your store with ease? Retail is tough, isn’t it? Especially now, with the economic uncertainty and chaos swirling around us. It’s no wonder so many store owners feel overwhelmed. You’re not crazy—it is hard.
I get it because I’ve been there too. I’ve gripped tightly to whatever I thought I could control, only to see it slip right through my fingers. That’s when I realized something important: my ability to grow my business—my ability to handle a new level of expansion—depends on my ability to navigate a new level of discomfort.
Let’s talk about what that means and how to navigate it with ease.
Why Growth Requires Discomfort
When I first came across that idea about discomfort and expansion, I resisted it. Who wants to feel uncomfortable? For me, discomfort meant feeling unsafe or uncertain about the future. But then I had to admit that I’d already been dealing with discomfort. And if I’ve managed it this far, what’s a little more if it means achieving the growth I truly want?
Discomfort is where growth begins. But to handle it well, you need a growth mindset.
To Grow Your Store You Need a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities and intelligence aren’t fixed—they can be developed through hard work, dedication, and learning. The opposite is a fixed mindset, where you believe nothing can change your circumstances or abilities. And let me tell you, a fixed mindset can sneak up on even the most optimistic among us.
The beauty of a growth mindset is that it allows you to see challenges as opportunities. Sure, you can vent about how tough things are (we all do!), but if you find yourself stuck in continuous complaining, that’s your sign: you’re in a fixed mindset. Once you notice it, you can start to shift.
How to Shift Negative Thoughts: Kill the ANTs
Dr. Daniel Amen, one of my favorite experts, teaches us to kill the ANTs—Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the sneaky little thoughts that pop up uninvited, fuelled by fear, and makes you doubt yourself when you want to grow your store. They’re tough to kill, but they can be replaced.
Here’s how:
- Identify the ANT. What’s the negative thought you keep hearing? Maybe it’s, “My store can’t support me.”
- Climb the Thought Ladder. Replace that negative thought with a series of slightly more positive ones, step by step. For example:
- Step 1: “There are stores that support their owners.” (True, right?)
- Step 2: “I have an expert to show me what to do.”
- Step 3: “My plan is the way.”
- Step 4: “My store can support me more and more.”
Each step feels a little more believable until you reach your goal. You’re rewiring your brain to think positively and take action.
- Replace the ANT with a mantra. Whenever that negative thought pops up, repeat your new thought instead. Over time, you’ll believe it.
Your Millie Moment: Swap Out Your ANTs
At RETAILMavens, we want every store owner to hit that million-dollar mark—and that’s where our Millie Moment comes in. It’s your chance to take one actionable step toward your goals.
Today’s Millie Moment: Identify one automatic negative thought that’s been holding you back. Just one! Write it down, then start climbing the thought ladder to replace it.
When you notice those ANTs creeping in, swap them out with a thought that serves your growth. Remember, growth isn’t always easy, but it can be filled with ease when you approach it with the right mindset.
Let’s Grow Your Store Together
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear about it! Connect with me in our Richer Retailer Community.
And don’t forget to read Part 2 of The Only Way to Grow Your Business with Ease (coming soon). Until then, know this: You are fabulous, and you are loved.