Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rockstar. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was Raised with Real Estate™ her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and realtor® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada.
We are constantly being challenged in our lives, whether in reaching personal milestones or facing unexpected family tragedies. Being an entrepreneur means inevitably facing challenges, especially when growing a business. A coach once told me, “Don’t let a challenge steal your joy.” This mindset impacts how we entrepreneurs approach and overcome challenges. A resiliency mindset helps us have the determination to keep our business going, even when it feels like obstacles are coming one after the other. Here are four quick and effective steps to start cultivating a resiliency mindset as an entrepreneur and face those challenges with confidence.
Ask yourself: What lens are you looking at everything with?
Challenges are how we learn, move forward, and progress as entrepreneurs. As I see it, when challenges come up, it means we are growing in our business. To foster a resiliency mindset, it’s important to first ask ourselves: What lens are you looking at everything with? Do you view challenges as setbacks or opportunities? Do you focus on forward-thinking solutions, or do you dwell on the negative? We must first recognize our perspective, our thought process, and how we approach obstacles before we can view them as something more positive and productive.
Reframe challenges as opportunities
Many entrepreneurs are inherently resilient. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to build a business from the ground up. Cultivating a resiliency mindset is about harnessing this inherent resilience for particularly difficult times when we must persevere. Once you understand how you approach obstacles, it’s time to reframe that thinking.
View challenges as opportunities for growth. Focus on the solutions and the potential those fixes could offer. Practice positive reappraisal—a strategy to find the positive meaning out of a stressful or negative situation. Failures aren’t the end but are instead a chance to learn how to improve. Reflect on what went wrong, identify lessons learned, and apply those insights to future endeavors. Mindset and perspective are everything. If you change the way you think about challenges, you’ll find newfound success in ways you may not have known existed.
Embrace a growth mindset
The growth mindset is the belief that people can develop and improve their abilities through dedication and hard work—as opposed to believing abilities are static, as in a fixed mindset. For entrepreneurs, a growth mindset is essential because it encourages continuous learning and adaptation, both critical for overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term success. By reframing challenges as opportunities and embracing a growth mindset, you not only enhance your problem-solving skills but also build resilience, making you more equipped to handle future challenges with clarity and creativity.
Set yourself up for success
Being strong and resilient means also caring for yourself as an individual as well as an entrepreneur. Set yourself up for success by building a support network, whether it’s other employees and peers in the business, or family and friends. Seek out mentorship or hire a coach who can offer experienced insight into these challenges and provide guidance along the way. A mentor can offer valuable support to help cultivate a resiliency mindset. Lastly, don’t neglect the things you enjoy doing outside of work. Self-care, wellness, and de-stressing activities play a key role in keeping you physically and mentally strong to stay resilient.
A resiliency mindset is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs. It’s not just about making it through the tough times that come along with being an entrepreneur but thriving in the face of them. Remember, resilience isn't about being invincible—it’s about being adaptable, persistent, and growing. With these four strategies, you'll be well-equipped to navigate any entrepreneurial challenge and emerge stronger and more successful.
Jessica Hastings Lesperance, Realtor®, Director of Operations, Co-Owner
Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rock star. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was Raised with Real Estate™ her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and realtor® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada. Jessica is an inspiring entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, speaker, and published author. She has been featured on major media outlets including podcasts and real estate TV talk shows and has been published in various magazines. Recently, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Fitness Instructors for 2023 by Impact Magazine.
