Business owners often experience two layers of emotions. Acute and Chronic emotions.
Acute emotions are superficial and short-lived. They come and fade away quickly based on the current situations we interact with.
Chronic emotions operate subtly in the background at a deeper level and can last for months. They often emanate from the phase of your business you are currently in.
Business stage-wise emotions
1. The Hope Phase (Early starting days)
Excitement. Optimism. Pride.
Inner thought:
“I’m finally building something of my own.”
2. The Control Phase (Things start moving)
Confidence. Responsibility. Mild stress (but manageable).
Inner thought:
“If I stay on top of things, it’ll work.”
3. The Overload Phase
Mental fatigue. Constant urgency. Time scarcity.
Inner thought:
“Why does everything depend on me?”
4. The Confusion Phase
Anxiety. Uncertainty. Financial insecurity.
Inner thought:
“Money comes in… but where is it going?”
5. The Isolation Phase (quiet but heavy)
Loneliness. Suppressed fear. Pressure to appear strong.
Inner thought:
“I can’t tell anyone this.”
6. The Guilt Phase (family & self)
Regret. Self-blame. Comparison.
Inner thought:
“I chose this… so why does it feel like a trap?”
7. The Survival Phase (reactive mode)
Fear. Short-term thinking. Burnout symptoms.
Inner thought:
“Just keep it running.”
8. The Clarity Moment (rare but powerful)
Relief. Calm. Stillness.
Inner thought:
“Okay. Now I see it.”
9. The Rebuild Phase (intentional change)
Discipline. Patience. Ownership (healthy).
Inner thought:
“I don’t need speed. I need structure.”
10. The Sustainable Phase (not flashy, but stable)
Peace. Long-term thinking. Quiet confidence.
Inner thought:
“The business works even when I step back.”
Emotional loops
These phases and emotions work in loops. They reinforce each other.
Fear traps you in a survival state and a prolonged survival state triggers fear.
Similarly,
If you are seeking peace, start building a sustainable business.
If you're seeking a sustainable business, learn to be at peace while building it.
Which business phase are you currently in?
That's all for this week.
See you next Saturday.
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