As entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves facing a similar type of question: What comes first—mindset or strategy?
Do you build the right strategies first and hope your mindset catches up, or do you develop an unshakable mindset that pulls the right strategies into place? The truth is, much like the debate about the orange fruit and the color, they are inextricably linked. You need both, working together in harmony, to create sustainable success.
Let’s break this down and explore how mindset and strategy can work hand-in-hand to build a freedom-based, purpose-driven business.
1. Mindset Shapes Strategy
Your mindset influences how you see opportunities and approach challenges. The way you think and believe shapes your decisions—long before you start building systems or crafting strategies.
Here’s the thing: If you start with a scarcity mindset, even the best strategy will feel like a struggle. You’ll second-guess every decision and focus on what could go wrong. On the other hand, an abundance mindset allows you to recognize that challenges are simply part of the process—and you’ll navigate them with confidence.
Example:
- Scarcity Mindset: “What if this launch fails?”
- Abundance Mindset: “What can I learn from this launch, no matter the outcome?”
When your mindset shifts from fear to curiosity and growth, you naturally choose strategies that align with freedom and impact, instead of getting stuck in hustle-mode.
2. Strategy Strengthens Mindset
But mindset alone isn’t enough. Clear strategies provide structure and confidence—they ground your ideas and keep you moving forward when self-doubt creeps in. Having the right strategy in place lets you breathe easier, knowing there’s a plan backing your vision.
Think of it like this: Mindset is the fuel, and strategy is the engine. You need both to move forward effectively. Without strategies, even the most confident mindset can drift aimlessly.
Example:
You’ve decided you want to create a business that runs on autopilot. With the right strategy (like automating your sales funnel or systematizing your content creation), your mindset can stay positive because you know the plan will reduce your workload.
3. The Entrepreneurial Dance: Aligning Mindset and Strategy
Successful entrepreneurship requires balancing mindset and strategy—like dancing between vision and execution. It’s not about perfecting one before the other; it’s about building both simultaneously, step by step.
- Mindset fuels clarity. When you believe it’s possible to succeed with freedom and ease, the right strategies become clearer.
- Strategy creates momentum. When you implement effective systems, it reinforces your belief that you’re on the right path.
This back-and-forth flow helps you navigate challenges, stay resilient, and build a business that supports your dream lifestyle.
4. Practical Tips for Aligning Mindset and Strategy
A. Start with Your Identity
Ask yourself: Who do I need to become to achieve my goal?
Shifting your identity—just as I did when I became a woman who can’t work the way others do—is the first step to aligning both mindset and strategy.
When you identify as someone who builds impact and freedom-based businesses, you’ll naturally create strategies that reflect that belief.
B. Use Systems to Free Your Mind
Once your mindset is in place, focus on systems that align with your identity. Automate repetitive tasks, set up processes, and design workflows that reduce mental clutter. This creates space for the creativity and freedom you want in your life.
C. Trust the Process
Building a business that supports freedom isn’t always smooth sailing, but believing in the long-term outcome makes the journey easier. When your mindset is aligned with your strategy, you can trust that every step forward—no matter how small—is part of the bigger picture.
So, Which Comes First?
It doesn’t really matter if mindset or strategy comes first—they feed each other. Your mindset shapes the way you build your business, and your strategies reinforce the beliefs you cultivate along the way.
Just like the chicken-and-egg or the orange-and-the-color riddle, mindset and strategy are two sides of the same coin. When they work in tandem, you unlock the magic that allows you to build freedom-based, high-impact businesses—without sacrificing your life in the process.
The real question isn’t which comes first—it’s how can you align both to create the life and business you want today?
Cheering to your inevitable success,
Jeni Hott 🍾🥂
About Jeni Hott
Jeni Hott is globally recognized as an authority blogger and entrepreneur, celebrating 27 years of success, 100 million lives impacted, and 8-figure businesses on autopilot. She is the founder of One Good Page™ and Time Rich™, where she helps entrepreneurs build freedom-based, purpose-driven businesses that allow for work-life harmony and true impact. Visit gettimerich.com to learn more.
Leave a Reply