MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Mindset

Limiting Beliefs

Write down one limiting belief about starting a venture and replace it with a neutral fact you can act on today.

Say aloud a strength of yours that disproves a belief holding you back from founding. Repeat it with confidence.

Choose a simple task you’ve avoided due to doubt—start it and set a ten-minute timer to stay focused.

Put a sticky note on your screen with a positive counter-belief. Read it before every call today.

Swap negative self-talk with a “What if I can?” statement—test it in a safe, low-risk situation.

Visualize yourself succeeding at a founder skill you think you can’t do—notice what changes in your energy.

Journal about a recent decision where fear of launching held you back—how would courage have changed your choice?

Write the origin story of your strongest limiting belief about entrepreneurship—where did it start and how has it shaped choices?

Reflect on three founders who challenged their limits—what beliefs helped them break through fear?

Note one opportunity missed due to a limiting belief—how would you approach it differently as a founder now?

Describe your internal critic as an entrepreneur—what voice does it use, and how rational is it when you step back?

List beliefs you hold about entrepreneurship—highlight those that sound like permanent limits.

Say yes to one startup opportunity you’d normally reject out of self-doubt. Track what happens next.

Share a bold idea in your startup circle—even if your belief says it isn’t “good enough.” Reflect afterward.

Offer to lead a pitch or session you’d usually avoid—focus on showing up, not perfection.

Set a micro-goal that challenges a limiting founder belief—complete it even if uncomfortable.

Ask for something you need but were too hesitant to request—funds, feedback, or a contact.

Rewrite your pitch bio with one bold phrase that challenges your belief about worth.

Ask a mentor what blind spots first-time founders often underestimate in themselves.

Share one limiting belief with a founder peer—ask if they’ve faced it and how they overcame it.

Request feedback after a pitch where you spoke despite fear—compare it with how you felt inside.

Ask another founder to share a time they doubted themselves but pushed through—what helped them?

Record three positive things mentors said about you this week—note which ones surprised you.

Create a feedback loop with a co-founder to challenge limiting founder stories you both carry.

Reframe “I’m not a real founder” as “I’m learning entrepreneurship”—apply it by testing one idea today.

Reframe “I always fail at funding” as “I’m still learning how to raise”—note how that shifts the story.

Reframe a failed launch as founder data—what did it teach you for the next iteration?

Translate “I’m not ready” into “I’m preparing”—list one small founder step you’ll take today.

Ask “Who says?” when thinking “I can’t”—challenge the voice blocking your founder growth.

Change “I never succeed” to “I haven’t yet”—open space for growth as a founder.

Track when your inner voice uses “always/never” about your venture—what situations trigger those absolutes?

Observe founders you admire and note their self-talk after mistakes or risks—what tone do they use?

Catch yourself mid-thought when hesitating to ship—what belief sits underneath that pause?

Listen for limiting beliefs in founder chats—do you hear similar ones echoing in your own thinking?

Note physical cues when you doubt your startup—tension, breath, avoidance—what belief links to them?

Notice how quickly you dismiss compliments or chances—what belief might be driving that reaction?

Empowering Beliefs

Choose one empowering belief about your founder potential and write it on a notecard to review before hard tasks today.

Repeat an empowering belief in front of a mirror each morning—focus on tone, posture, and steady eye contact.

Create a phone lock screen with a short empowering belief you want to reinforce throughout this week.

Share an empowering belief on LinkedIn—something that guides your approach to learning and growth.

Choose a belief that energizes you—apply it to a current challenge and notice the shift in mindset.

Start your day by writing one empowering belief and one action it will inspire you to take today.

Write about a moment when believing in your idea helped you pitch despite doubt—what did you tell yourself then?

List three empowering founder beliefs you admire in role models—how could you adopt versions in your own work?

Reflect on a success you nearly avoided—what belief allowed you to pursue it anyway?

Journal about how your empowering beliefs shifted over the past year—what triggered that change?

Explore a time when confidence felt irrational but paid off—what founder belief led the way?

Identify a founder belief you held back from sharing—what stopped you, and what could change next time?

Share your idea in a small group with the belief: “My voice adds value.” Focus on clarity, not perfection.

Share a bold idea with a mentor or advisor—act from belief in contribution, not fear of judgment.

Apply an empowering belief to a stretch startup goal—write it down and act on one step today.

Say yes to something exciting but risky for your venture—let belief lead, not doubt.

Offer support to a peer founder with the belief: “We rise by lifting others.”

Begin your next pitch with a story that reflects your empowering founder belief.

Ask an investor what belief they think drives your pitch—does it align with what you intend to project?

Share an empowering belief with your co-founder—ask how they’ve applied it in tough moments.

Create a small founder circle to exchange stories of growth through empowering beliefs.

Tell a mentor how their belief in themselves inspired you—start a conversation on impact.

Ask for feedback on how your attitude affects team energy—does belief in growth show clearly?

Post an empowering founder belief on your desk—ask peers to share theirs with you.

Recast “This is impossible” as “This is where founders grow”—act on it with one bold step forward.

Change “I’m unsure” to “I’m learning as I go”—let curiosity guide you instead of hesitation.

Turn “They know more than me” into “I bring a unique angle”—share one insight with confidence.

Reframe doubt as growth fuel: ask, “What would my future founder-self do right here?”

Reframe perfectionism as “I’m here to improve, not prove”—apply it to your next deliverable.

Turn “I’ve never done this” into “I’m excited to grow by trying this new thing.”

Watch confident founders under pressure—what empowering beliefs seem to guide their behavior?

Observe your thoughts in high-stress pitches—do they build belief or quickly block capability?

Notice when peers use affirmations before pitches—how do they respond when challenged afterward?

Track moments you hesitate to pitch—was it lack of skill, or lack of belief in yourself?

Observe your posture during self-doubt—adjust physically to support an empowering founder belief.

Listen to the language of founders you admire—what beliefs seem embedded in their words?

Opportunity beliefs

Choose one current startup challenge and write three possible opportunities it could lead to this week.

Start your day by asking: “Where could today’s biggest obstacle become today’s biggest opportunity?”

Revisit an ongoing idea and identify one overlooked opportunity you could explore starting today.

In your next meeting, reframe a concern as an opportunity in one clear, practical sentence.

Scan your to-do list and label one task as an “opportunity zone” for personal skill growth.

Set a five-minute timer to brainstorm new opportunity angles on a recent failure—no editing allowed.

Journal about a time when a startup obstacle revealed an unexpected opportunity—how did your mindset shift?

Reflect on how you react to market uncertainty—do you seek safety first or notice hidden opportunities?

Identify a recent idea you dismissed too quickly—what new angle could still reveal value or growth?

Write about a success that came only because another plan in your startup failed.

List three traits you developed from early startup difficulties—how do they serve you today?

Ask: “What am I not seeing because I labeled this as a threat?” Reflect on the cost of that label.

Say yes to exploring a customer need you’d normally ignore—take the very first step today.

Join a project or incubator activity outside your scope—see what new doors it could unlock.

Offer a creative angle in problem-solving—even if it feels risky to share.

Volunteer to pitch in an uncertain forum—embrace the stretch experience.

Choose one decision this week and ask: “What’s the hidden opportunity here?”

Flip your morning routine—change how you start your day and see what ideas emerge.

Ask a founder friend to share a time when a failure opened an unexpected opportunity.

Invite a peer founder to challenge your view on your market—ask what opportunity they see.

Share your current challenge and ask three peers what upside they’d explore in your case.

Discuss with a founder friend how you both find value in setbacks—compare lessons learned.

Ask your co-founder: “What’s one market opportunity you think I’m overlooking right now?”

Have a reverse feedback session: ask how you spot or miss opportunities under stress.

Reframe a failed pitch as “a future pivot point”—list what new directions it might unlock.

Reframe harsh criticism as insight: “What part of this feedback could strengthen my startup?”

Reframe “I missed my shot” as “That door closed so I’d find a better one”—note the next door.

Change “This is risky” to “This could reveal something new”—take one micro-test this week.

Reframe founder tension as fuel: “This friction means value is waiting to be built.”

Replace “Why me?” with “What is this preparing me for as a founder?”

Notice how great operators talk strategy—how do they shift from problems toward possibilities consistently?

Track inner dialogue during deadline stress—does it move toward solutions or stall in blame and doubt?

Observe how quickly you shut down contrarian ideas—when does discomfort mask potential opportunity?

Listen to how operators pitch change—what words frame it as opportunity rather than risk?

Pay attention to what excites you in crises—those sparks may point toward future venture paths.

Watch how often people credit luck versus testing—what does that reveal about opportunity mindset?

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