7 Mindset Principles That Will Change the Way You Do Business Forever

Running a business isn’t just about tactics and tools ....oh... if only it were that easy.

It’s about how you think.

And that's harder to pin down that any of us would like to admit. You can learn every skill in the book — marketing, sales, website design, social media — but if your mindset isn’t aligned, those skills won’t translate into momentum. Or at least not for the long term. Because

nothing in life worth doing is easy... right!? (I hear you. I feel your pain).

Tl:dr? Scroll down for the full video.

Most entrepreneurs don’t fail because they’re not capable. They've taken on this gargantuan task of being a small business and they're living the ups and downs, forced to make changes and rethink things as they go. But it's not the challenges, either. They fail because their mindset holds them back: stuck in perfectionism, chasing shiny objects, or misaligning blame when things get hard.

That’s where mindset development comes in. In the Ember Learning Channel, we call them the 7 Mindset Principles — a framework we've built to make it simple and applicable to your day-to-day. So every business owner can use to think clearer, act smarter, and stay resilient through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. These aren’t magical affirmations. They’re battle-tested, practical principles drawn from psychology, neuroscience, and hundreds of real-world entrepreneurs. They're the list of "what-not-to-dos" assembled from watching too many good clients make crummy choices... fashioned into "what to dos." They’re how you shift from “stuck” to “forward.”

And the best part? You can start applying them today. Because they're all here, and this is all free. Read on.

The 7 Mindset Principles - Let's get straight into this (Video below)

1. Long-Term Systems Thinking

What it is: Success comes from repeatable systems, not one-off wins. Example: A real estate client I worked with didn’t know how to manage her social content. Together, we built a system: monthly strategy templates, content pillars, organized folders, and editing workflows. Once the system was in place, she stopped second-guessing herself — and started thriving. Tip: Break big goals into steps. Systems are your FRIEND! Document your process so when something breaks, you can trace, reframe, and rebuild.

2. Data-Driven Thinking (Not Ego-Driven Thinking)

What it is: Let data guide you, not pride or panic. Example: You post a 90-second video. People just aren't watching all the way through... most click away at 6 seconds. Emotion says, “I failed.” Ego says, “What’s wrong with them?” Data says, “Show the product sooner.” Tip: Look at analytics as feedback, not failure. The numbers are your roadmap, and that road will lead you to success. So toss aside that ego, my friends.

3. Growth Mindset

What it is: Believing you can grow, adapt, and learn anything with effort. Example: I’ve worked with clients who blamed “newfangled technology” for their struggles instead of learning. Those with a growth mindset? They pushed through the discomfort, learned something new (even if being the 'beginner' was uncomfortable at first) and came out stronger. Tip: When you feel stuck, replace “I can’t” with “I can’t ...yet.”

4. Problem-Solving Mentality

What it is: See problems as puzzles, not proof you’re failing. Example: Tech breaks. Clients ghost. Algorithms shift. A problem-solving entrepreneur doesn’t panic — they pivot. And then they get to work learning and solving. Tip: Next time you hit a wall, ask: “What opportunity might be hiding in this problem?”

5. Action-Oriented Thinking

What it is: Clarity comes from doing, not overthinking. Example: A client once delayed their launch for months waiting for “perfect branding.” Another client put up a simple landing page and started testing. Guess who gained traction? Tip: Progress > perfection. Take the step, then refine.

6. Customer-First Perspective

What it is: Build for your audience, not just your ego. Example: A café can say “Best coffee in town” like everyone else, or they can focus on customer needs: “Fast, friendly, and open at 5am.” Guess which one actually draws the morning crowd? Tip: Reframe your messaging to address your customer's needs. Less “we,” more “you.”

7. Resilience + Adaptability

What it is: Your entrepreneurial shock absorbers. Stay steady, stay flexible. Know your strengths and trust yourself to find the solution that moves you past the roadblock. Example: A slow sales month doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means it’s time to regroup, refocus, or pivot. The entrepreneurs who survive are the ones who don’t quit. Tip: Write this on a Post-it: Resilient. Adaptable. Repeat it when plans go sideways.

Bonus: Self-Investment Mindset

You are your business’s greatest asset. Not your logo. Not your website. YOU. The more you invest in your skills, your clarity, and your energy, the stronger your business becomes. That's what you're doing here so stop right now and pat yourself on the back. And remind yourself that this is an ongoing process. Read: you will never be done with the learning and the growing. And that's a good thing!

So... Mindset isn’t optional. It’s the foundation. Without it, every skill, tactic, or tool eventually collapses under pressure. But with it? You become unstoppable. You don’t just react — you lead. You don’t just survive setbacks — you adapt and grow.

This week, pick one principle. Write it on a Post-it. Stick it on your desk. Let it guide your choices for the next 7 days. Because small, intentional mindset shifts lead to massive results over time.

🔥 Want the full experience? Watch Lesson 7: The 7 Mindset Principles now on the Ember Learning Channel which breaks each principle into clear lessons, challenges, and free resources. It’s free on YouTube — or log in at RoseEmberFoundry.com

🔗 Work through the full lesson + Learn the 7 Steps of the Ember Method + answer module questions and access free worksheets & resources (100% free!) → here.

If you'd prefer support in developing a better mindset, you don’t have to do this alone. Try a free Spark call or a more comprehensive Firestarter for one-on-one coaching. Subscribe to our emails for a weekly mindset download and reminders to keep you on track. Have a question? Reach out here - I always reply to all emails.