How Entrepreneurs Can Focus On Self-Improvement

Zeynep “Z” Ekemen is CEO and Inventor of Silver Defender, which manufactures antimicrobial plastic film for high touch points.

An ordinary Friday morning in September became one of the most life-changing days of my life. I woke up that morning and decided, out of the blue, to start a program called “75 Hard.” It wasn’t anything that I ever looked into or wanted to try. I had seen a couple of people on my social media platforms mentioning something about this “life-changing journey” they were on, but I rarely paid any attention to it because it was never something I considered doing. The program has a few steps that need to be followed every day, and it requires discipline.

Why did I decide to start it? Like many entrepreneurs, I wake up every morning trying to make each day better than the last. I know I am capable of being better personally and professionally, but very little changed over the years. You’ve likely heard a saying often attributed to Albert Einstein, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Well, I felt like I had been doing the same thing repeatedly for the past decade. I had been yearning to take my professional life and personal journey to higher levels. And so I decided to try the program.

I never could have imagined that the changes I’d see would be so drastic. Throughout this experience, I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to operate at a high frequency and avoid self-sabotage, particularly as a leader.

What does it mean to be a leader who operates at a high frequency? I believe high-frequency individuals are purpose-driven. They are energetic and in touch with their emotions. They seek out what and who brings them joy, as well as recognize what and who brings them down. These types of leaders have to let go of low-frequency people and activities by looking at their surroundings and investing in improving themselves. If you want to get yourself to a new level, you need to change your environment and take steps that get you closer to what you are seeking.

There are a few simple things a leader can do to make sure they are staying in a high frequency and avoiding self-sabotage. For example, for me personally, I find it helpful to prioritize work-life balance and my health. Establishing a healthy lifestyle consisting of exercise and eating better has helped me become a better version of myself.

As an entrepreneur, I also find it helpful to:

• Tap into your purpose and passion. I believe an entrepreneur needs to have purpose and passion and use those to make an impact. I’ve found that one of the best ways to make an impact is to find a nonprofit organization that is involved in the causes about which you are passionate.

• Prioritize self-care and stress management. Make sure you allow yourself the time to recharge when needed. There are many things one can do to mentally recharge, even in a small amount of time. For instance, you can practice a quick meditation, go outside for a run or a walk, get a massage, take a warm bath or listen to music. The key is to find what makes you feel good.

I believe deciding to become a better you is the most life-altering decision you can possibly make. While consistency and building positive changes in your everyday life can be challenging, at the end of the day, this work is a small price to pay to become the very best version of yourself.

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Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?

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