2 min read
Bianca Van Riet is the CEO & Founder of Be Your Truth, specialising in mindset coaching for adults and children. She has been coaching since 2011.
She is also one of the facilitation team for our new Discovery program. We asked her about staying motivated, her journey in entrepreneurship and her best advice for those just starting out.
Thanks for your time, Bianca. What got you into entrepreneurship in the first place?
“I was made redundant back in 2010 and did a big 180-degree shift in careers, moving from corporate to a small personal development company. Whilst I was still employed by a smaller organisation, I was required to treat the company as if I was self-employed, starting me in the world of entrepreneurship.”
What do you think are the most needed skills and capabilities at the moment?
“I believe the best skill one can have is a flexible and positive mindset. With the right attitude, and with effort, one can achieve anything. So, from my perspective, I believe it comes down to EQ (emotional quotient) and AQ (adversity quotient).”
What’s your best advice for young people getting started?
“Trust yourself! Starting off your own venture is going to be challenging, but it is so worth it. The challenges help both you and your business grow.
You also don't have to do it alone. Ask for help and trust your gut instinct. If it feels right, keep going; if something doesn't feel right, change it. We expect to have clarity up front - unfortunately there is chaos first and then clarity comes. Remember success is the journey not the end result.”
What’s your best technique or strategy for staying motivated?
“I ensure I have a clear goal and then I break that down into monthly milestones to make sure I stay on track. From there, I create a weekly "to do" list and prioritise the activities, doing the ones I don't want to do first, so that they are gone.
I follow a routine (i.e. allocated time) and ensure I have people I can talk to/bounce off even though I am a sole trader. If I am not feeling motivated, I will step away - go for a walk, go to the gym, meditate etc. and then come back to the task. I also find upbeat music helps put me back into the right frame of mind.
If you’re making the transition to working or studying from home, be patient with yourself. You are not going to get it 100% right on the first day.”
How are you feeling about the current COVID-19 crisis and what advice would you give to young people in the face of this global challenge?
“Every single one of us on this planet right now is being impacted by COVID-19 in one way or another. My advice is that we cannot change or control what is happening, but we can control how we choose to respond to it. We must work together and be flexible and open-minded.
Mostly, we should be supportive and empathetic to each person’s ‘reality’ without buying into the story and drama too much. Do not buy into the fear by constantly talking about it and watching the news all day. Do the things that keep you grounded and try have a good laugh at least once a day.”
