‘Be. Do. Have’ – The Mindset Shift for Entrepreneurial Success

The Common Mistake: ‘Have. Do. Be.’

A common mindset trap sounds like this: “Once I have a profitable business, then I’ll start marketing and networking, and only then will I truly be an entrepreneur.” This thinking assumes that success must come first before taking action or stepping into the identity of a thriving business owner. It’s a passive approach - waiting for external validation before fully committing to growth.

The Power of Being

The ‘Be. Do. Have.’ philosophy flips this thinking entirely on its head. Instead of waiting to achieve success before acting like a successful entrepreneur, start by being that person today and every day. Define the qualities, mindset, and habits of someone who already has the success you’re aiming for. If your goal is to build a thriving business, embody the traits of a person who does exactly that.  

Action Follows Identity

Once you step into that identity, your actions will organically align. Successful entrepreneurs don’t wait for the perfect moment - they network, take risks, and consistently refine their skills and offerings. Their actions create success, rather than being dependent on it.

Results Will Follow

When you start by being the person who achieves success and doing what they would do, you inevitably start to have the results you desire. Success isn’t something you wait for - it’s something you cultivate through identity and action.

How to Apply ‘Be. Do. Have.’ in Your Business

1. Define Your Future Self: Identify the traits of a successful entrepreneur in your industry. Are they confident? Innovative? Resourceful? Start embodying those characteristics now. Hang out with people who characterise the traits you want to adopt.
2. Align Your Actions: Assess your daily habits. Are they in line with the success you want? If not, shift your approach - start networking, improving your product, or refining your service today.
3. Evaluate and Adapt: Regularly track your progress. If certain actions aren’t moving you forward, adjust and refine your strategy. Success is an ongoing process, not a single event.

If you’ve been waiting to have success before you take meaningful action, you might find yourself stuck in a cycle of frustration. Flip the script. Be the person, do the work, and you will have the success that follows. This shift in perspective moves you from passively waiting to actively creating the future you want. Your entrepreneurial success isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about stepping into the mindset that turns them into reality.