Developing an Astronaut's Mentality in a Startup Business

 Look up into the sky, and who do you see? It’s a bird, it’s a plane…oh, wait that’s for my superwoman article. It’s the next start-up business CEO in control of a massive space ship headed into inter galactic space! Ok, enough of my inner geek….

You're all probably wondering what I mean by the title, an “astronaut's mentality” and why even make the analogy. Have you ever wondered what astronauts go through to be chosen for flight? You probably have an idea from watching the news or a cartoon that astronauts have to go through rigorous training and excessive evaluations to make sure they can mentally, physically and emotionally endure space flight at zero gravity. But, according to the Princeton Review, what is most intriguing is astronauts are chosen based on the following key qualities (among others):

Stamina, Focus, Working Under Pressure and Comradery If you lack in any of these qualities you do not make it onto the next mission, let alone continue with training to be chosen for flight.

When looking at the startup business owner these four qualities: stamina, focus, working under pressure and camaraderie are key to not giving up and not failing. Each leading off into other qualities (another article) but are pillars for good business practices.

First, to be an astronaut you need the dream and desire. You are truly reaching for the stars and taking a risk that challenges our existence. To be a startup business owner or entrepreneur you need that dream, desire and be able to take the risk.

“Desire backed by faith pushed all reason aside and inspired me to carry on.” –N. Hill, Think and Grow Rich To stay in business and take on that risk you need stamina, staying power. Do you give up after the three year itch or do you keep focused and maintain your ground to keep going? Your desire has to be powerful enough to fuel your stamina because all it really is, is a mind game. Challenging yourself and gathering the facts you need to make a conscious decision to stay committed.

Focus is much more than a mental power. It is working with emotional intelligence and flushing out the negative and keeping your motivation focused on your goals (concrete or subjective). Focus also involves research and providing yourself with the tools necessary to know your niche, target population, competition and advances in your product/services.

Working under pressure can mean several things; working in a competitive environment, a competitive niche, with your own criticisms and with the opinions of others. If you work well under pressure you will be able to last in the entrepreneurial world.

Comradery, I think, is key to everything in life because we cannot live without each other. It is just the human condition. But what is important about Comradery in the business world is that you are able to communicate effectively with others, relate to others, and really understand that we each work to live not live to work. Comradery is understanding the human condition and being able to develop business relationships that will be beneficial to your company.

So if you are true to the astronaut's mentality it is very possible, and maybe mathematically possible to stay in the game. Your business can survive and will survive as long as you want to survive.

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