5 Mindset Shifts That Can Change Your Business

Starting a business requires strategy, knowing the right people, and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of hustle. But getting caught up in hustle culture  is like buying a one-way ticket to Burnout Town. Sure, it might cover the bills, but it won’t build a sustainable business you love. 

What really determines the success of your business is your mindset.

Your mindset shapes how you approach your work, clients, and even yourself. But let’s be real… mindset shifts don’t happen overnight. They sound obvious when you first hear them, but it’s your personal experiences that make the lessons truly stick.

Here are five mindset shifts that changed my business and transformed how I see myself, my clients, and my mission.

1. Meet Your Audience Where They Are

When I first heard this advice, I thought, “Duh, makes sense.” But the kicker was actually putting it into practice. That’s where the learning curve hit me hard!

My first big copywriting project, for example, was more than a simple email sequence. I just didn’t know it yet because, at the time, I assumed what my client needed. We had a discovery call, we discussed their goals, and I was ready to go. 

But guess what I didn’t ask?

“Where are your customers right now, and what’s the next step they need to take?”

I thought I’d covered all the bases, but I missed the most important question. As a result, I didn’t meet my client—or their audience—where they actually were. I ended up delivering work that didn’t hit the mark, and honestly, that’s on me.

Here’s the lesson: Always ask where your audience is starting and where they need to go next. Whether you’re writing an email, crafting a landing page, or mapping out a full campaign, it’s your job to guide them step by step.

Because when you meet your audience where they are, you’re solving their problem and showing them that you get them. And that’s what builds trust.

Actionable Tip:

• Always ask: Where’s your audience right now, and what do they need from you to take the next step?

2. Your Offering a Gift (Not Just a Service)

For a long time, I thought of my work as just that—work. A service I provided, a box I checked off, a means to an end. 

When people asked what made my writing special, I leaned on, “Well, I have a psychology background.” (Yawn, right?)

Then someone made a comment that stuck with me like gum on a shoe:
“People won’t need you anymore. AI can do what you do.”

Ouch. 

That one hurt. 

And for a while, I let it fester. 

I convinced myself, “Every business needs copy. They’ll come around.” But they didn’t. Instead, they used AI tools to draft “good enough” content and moved on.

So I needed to stop seeing my work as just a service and started treating it as a gift. And like any great gift, it needed something special—something that would make the receiver think of me.

It’s what AI couldn’t replicate.

AI can give you a baseline draft. It can help you clear the first creative hurdle. But what it can’t do is infuse authentic personality, strategy, and connection. 

That’s where I turned up the heat with my SAUCY strategy. Suddenly, my offering wasn’t just something people needed—it was something they wanted.

And by default, I started weaving it into everything—from email ghostwriting and strategy to mentoring and teaching. Because let’s face it, we all need a little sauce.

Your offering is more than a simple service. It’s a gift that solves real problems. It shows you care enough to go deeper, to create something that makes your client feel seen, valued, and one of a kind.

When you treat your work as a gift, your clients will start seeing it that way, too. And yes, even gifts can come in the shape of investments.

Actionable Tip:

• Reframe your work as a gifted solution to your client’s challenges, not just a checklist item.

3. Focus on Value (Seriously)

When I first heard the phrase “lead with value,” I didn’t really get it. 

What does that even mean? Does it mean giving away all your secrets for free? Or holding back until someone pays you?

Spoiler alert: I tried both, and neither worked.

At one point, I was a total gatekeeper. If someone asked for advice, I’d say, “Sure, let’s schedule a strategy call,” because hey, time is money, right? 

But honestly, it felt... off. 

Then I overcorrected. I started giving away too much in coffee chats and free calls—20 minutes would turn into an hour-long deep dive, and I’d walk away feeling undervalued and frustrated.

I had to find balance.

Here’s what I learned: 

Leading with value doesn’t mean giving away everything or holding back completely. It means showing up with generosity and trust. It means creating content, sharing insights, and offering advice that genuinely helps people—even if they never become your clients.

And you know what? The money does follow.

When you focus on providing value, you build trust. And when someone trusts you, they’re more likely to turn to you—not the countless other options out there—when they’re ready to invest.

Actionable Tip(s):

• Use the “value triangle” framework: Share insights that educate, inspire, or solve a small problem for your audience.

• Set boundaries that protect your time and energy, allowing you to show up for your business in ways that truly move the needle forward.

4. Learn From Thy Failures

We all suck at something. And if we stay stuck in that suck, we fail. But here’s the thing—failure isn’t the end of the road; it’s part of the process.

I’ve had my share of failures, from miscommunication with clients to delivering work that didn’t hit the mark. Each one stung, but every stumble taught me something valuable.

One of the best lessons I’ve learned is to treat failure like a coffee date. Sit down with it, figure out what went wrong, and ask, “What can I learn from this?” When you look at failure as feedback rather than a dead end, it becomes your greatest teacher.

Even the greats like Walt Disney and Steve Jobs faced spectacular failures. What set them apart wasn’t avoiding failure—it was their resilience in learning from it.

Remember, it’s not “try, fail, stop.” It’s “try, fail, learn, try again.

Actionable Tip(s):

• Reframe your perspective. Failure isn’t final—it’s a chance to grow.

• Analyze the data. Look at what went wrong and identify what you can adjust for next time.

• Celebrate progress. Even small wins matter, so don’t forget to acknowledge them.

5. Invest in Yourself

Investing in yourself doesn’t mean splurging on fancy tools or signing up for the all latest programs in your industry. Investing in yourself is choosing growth, even when it’s uncomfortable. 

Sometimes, that means hiring a mentor or coach to guide you. A good one will show you what you’re doing well and where you can do better. 

Other times, it’s setting aside time for new learning opportunities because, as we know, the world is always evolving. Marketing trends change, storytelling shifts, and even the tech we rely on gets an upgrade. 

Staying humble and open to learning makes the investment sauce taste better.

But investing in yourself goes deeper than business development.

You can’t forget about self-care. 

Make time for yourself, eat a nutritious meal, get enough sleep, drink water, and (especially if you’re a busy parent) take a shower.

Even if you think of time as money, setting aside time to invest in rest is essential to make you more. 

Rest allows you to recharge, refocus, and reset. You’ll see creative opportunities you might have otherwise missed.

Take hobbies, for example. 

Steve Jobs famously took a calligraphy class, and the lessons he learned there became part of Apple’s design DNA. 

I picked up crocheting and realized how much it taught me about life and business—like the importance of fixing mistakes early, balancing tension, and following a pattern for success.

Investing in yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. When you grow, so does your business.

Actionable Tip(s):

• Invest in your learning. Take a course, read a book, or explore a new hobby to expand your perspective.

• Practice self-care. Small acts, like taking breaks or eating lunch away from your desk, can make a big difference.

• Rest. Downtime leads to breakthroughs in creativity and focus.

Shift Your Mindset, Change Your Business

Running a business is a wild ride, full of ups, downs, and unexpected turns. But one thing that keeps you grounded, growing, and thriving is your mindset.

Mindset shifts are lessons you use everyday in your business and personal life. When you approach these lessons with curiosity and openness, you gain the clarity you need to take meaningful action.

And remember, mindset work isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s an ongoing process. Complacency results in stagnation, so with every opportunity, show up better for yourself, your business, and the people who count on you.

What would you add to the list?

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