Entrepreneur Thinking

Hello friend – it’s Miriam 👋🏻

Welcome to this week’s Ikigami Insider!

Overnight success? It’s a myth. But a single shift in mindset can change everything.

Entrepreneurship isn’t about having the perfect idea, funding, or quitting your job. It starts with how you think. Entrepreneurs don’t wait for permission—they see possibilities where others see problems. They train their minds before they build their businesses.

And here’s the secret: You don’t need to start a company to think like an entrepreneur. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating career transitions, or pursuing passion projects—entrepreneurial thinking unlocks growth, resilience, and impact.

This edition will help you cultivate that mindset through Intuition, Intelligence, and Integrity—plus a special bonus to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey.

Let’s dive in.

Intuition: What If You Reframed Everything?

Fear-based thinking holds us back. Entrepreneurs flip the script. They shift from “What if I fail?” to “What if this works?” This simple reframe turns fear into fuel, helping you approach uncertainty with curiosity rather than hesitation.

Hack 1: Every time doubt creeps in, reframe it with a “What if?” question.
Instead of “What if I’m not ready?”, ask “What if I’m already more ready than I think?”

Intelligence: Failure = Data

Entrepreneurs don’t fear failure. They collect it. They analyze it. They use it. Every setback is feedback, and every misstep holds valuable data that moves them forward.

Hack 2: Shift from seeing failure as an identity (“I failed”) to a learning process (“I gathered data”). Ask: What did this experience teach me? How does it refine my next step?

Integrity: Solve, Don’t Sell

The most successful entrepreneurs don’t start with products—they start with problems. They don’t focus on what they want to create; they focus on what people need.

Hack 3: Next time you brainstorm ideas, ask: What problem am I solving? Instead of “What can I offer?” try “How can I make someone’s life easier, better, or more meaningful?”

Reflection in Verse

The Spark Within
Not waiting, not wishing, just daring to see,
A world of what’s possible—who else but me?
No map, no perfect, just one step ahead,
Courage is action, not fear in its stead.

Thumbnail Photo of Nicholas Sampson on Unsplash

3 Recommended Readings

"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries – A guide to testing ideas and building with agility.
"Mindset" by Carol Dweck – Understanding how a growth mindset fuels success.
"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield – Overcoming resistance and taking action.

Bonus: The Surprise You Didn’t Expect

Now, you might be expecting a bonus you can buy.

Surprise: Not today.

My bonus tip for you is simple:

Take a break.
Do absolutely nothing.
Sit in pure stillness.

Because the truth is: Everything you need is already within you.

Clarity doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes, it comes from pausing long enough to hear what’s already there.

Take a moment. Breathe. Trust yourself.

You’ve got this.

Which Mindset Shift Resonates Most With You?

Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for startups—it’s for anyone who wants to create, lead, and live with intention.

What’s one shift you’re making today? Hit reply and let me know!

With clarity and courage,
Miriam