MASTER Risk Model - Learning Resources - Mindset

Intrinsic Motivation

Write one task today and add “because I care about my business” to reconnect with its deeper meaning.

Link one business task today to your values—why does this matter to you beyond profit?

Block ten minutes to work on something that energizes you—no outcome needed, just enjoy the flow.

Start your day by asking: “What would make today meaningful, not just productive?”

Keep a “why I do this” note visible—anchor your actions to your deeper intrinsic motivation.

Say no to one task that drains your energy and doesn’t serve your core mission.

Journal about the last time you lost track of time working on your business—what made it so fulfilling?

Reflect on which part of your work brings you joy or fulfillment—how could you increase that more often?

Explore how your early passions still influence what drives you today—what themes persist?

Write about a time when you were proud of effort, not results—what did that reveal about motivation?

Identify a moment when external pressure distracted you from inner drive—how can you guard against it?

List three values that guide your work—how are they showing up in this week’s choices?

Spend one hour this week on a stretch project for your business—track how it energizes you.

Share what drives you internally with your team or partners—invite them to share theirs too.

Choose one task and focus on enjoyment and learning instead of outcome or recognition.

Rework a routine task to include an element tied to your strengths or personal interest.

Speak up for a change you believe in—even if unpopular—let values guide your voice.

Declutter your to-do list—keep only what connects to purpose, curiosity, or growth.

Ask a peer what they see as your “why” for running your business—does it align with your own?

Share your core motivation with a mentor—ask if your path reflects that drive.

Ask a teammate to observe what energizes you—when do they see you light up in your work?

Discuss with a colleague what motivates you both—what overlaps and what differs?

Ask someone when they’ve seen you most alive in your work—what were you doing, and why?

Reflect with a mentor on when you work hardest without recognition—what drives you then?

Shift “I have to do this” to “I choose to do this because…”—finish the sentence with your why.

Recast frustration as a signal: “What value of mine feels violated, and how do I realign?”

Replace “I need to finish this” with “I want to grow through this”—link tasks to purpose.

When motivation dips, ask: “What deeper reason brought me into retail?”

Change “This is boring” to “How can I make this meaningful or creative?”

Reframe ambition as alignment: “What am I building that reflects who I want to become?”

Track which tasks energize or drain you—does the pattern match what you truly value in the business?

Observe your energy across tasks—buying, service, content—where does attention sharpen and flow?

Notice when incentives sway decisions—are you staying close to your internal compass?

Notice how you feel after surprising a customer with help—what inner driver fueled that effort?

Watch yourself under pressure—do you cling to purpose or drift into autopilot and habit?

Track the “why” behind your yeses this week—values, guilt, or obligation driving those choices?

Extrinsic Motivation

List one incentive or recognition that motivates you—remind yourself of it before a demanding task.

Share a recent achievement with your team or partner—notice how acknowledgment boosts focus.

Create a small reward for completing an avoided task—tie it to something enjoyable.

Add a visible progress tracker for a long-term goal—watching progress builds commitment.

Identify one area where accountability could help—share your goal with a peer or mentor.

Choose one task to finish before lunch and reward yourself with a break or treat.

Reflect on how recognition affects your drive—what motivates you most: praise, visibility, or financial reward?

Write about a time external incentives helped you push through difficulty—what sustained you in that moment?

Explore moments when you relied too much on external praise—what impact did it have on decisions?

Journal about how financial incentives shape your choices—do they align or clash with your values?

Think back to when you last received recognition—what impact did it have on your energy and focus?

Reflect on your current performance metrics—are they motivating, distracting, or in need of redesign?

Share progress on a tough goal with someone influential—let visibility fuel your follow-through.

Compete with yourself using a measurable target—hit one number or milestone today.

Set a reward for hitting your weekly sales or ops target—make it tangible and personal.

Publicly commit to a deliverable on email, Slack, or social media—use accountability.

Try a gamified tool that gives badges or streaks—notice how it affects your effort.

Ask for feedback on one thing done well this week—notice how validation affects you.

Ask a colleague what kind of recognition motivates them—compare it to what drives you externally.

Invite your team to share how they like acknowledgment—adjust your style accordingly.

Ask a peer when they’ve seen you most motivated—was it tied to reward, praise, or visibility?

Reflect with a peer on what incentives keep you engaged—what patterns sustain you?

Share how external rewards helped you achieve something—ask what success looks like for them.

Ask for feedback on your reward-seeking behavior—do others see balance or over-reliance?

Reframe sales targets or awards as signals of value, not ego—what impact do they highlight?

Shift “I just want recognition” to “I want to be seen for contributions”—clarify the type you need.

Change “This isn’t worth it” to “What external driver would make this meaningful?”

Recast sales goals as freedom goals—link numbers to outcomes that matter.

Reframe visibility as influence, not vanity—ask: “What message do I want to send?”

See deadlines as tools to activate urgency—not just pressure.

Track hesitation before launches or pitches—what fear-thoughts appear and how do they shape action?

Notice which recognition lands best—public reviews, private praise, or visible milestones?

Notice how competitors’ wins affect behavior—do they energize or distract you from purpose?

Watch your response to being overlooked in features—what beliefs and habits kick in?

Observe when you push hardest—what external driver is usually present at those times?

Track motivation on days with versus without reviews—how strong is the recognition effect?

No Fear

Name one business risk you’ve avoided—take the first small step toward testing it today.

Note one uncertain market shift you’ve avoided—identify what you can control and take one step on it.

Send a thank-you note to a past customer—even if they don’t respond, treat the gesture as a win itself.

Say out loud: “Failure is data, not identity”—repeat it before testing a new retail idea.

Say aloud: “Uncertainty means possibility”—repeat whenever tempted to freeze on a new trend.

Say aloud: “A no doesn’t define my store”—repeat it before asking for reviews, upsells, or new partnerships.

Share one time you failed and learned—remind yourself how it led to future growth.

Schedule ten minutes to explore a new tool or platform—lean into curiosity over avoidance.

Share your perspective in a local business group or online forum—even if unpopular, speak once with calm confidence.

Reframe a current task as an experiment—success means learning, not perfection.

Ask one curious question in your next meeting or call—even if unsure of the answer.

Make a simple request you’ve been holding back—ask a supplier for better terms, or a customer for feedback.

Post a sticky note that reads: “What if I try—and learn?” Place it where you hesitate.

Choose one unclear decision—make it quickly and treat it as a test, not a trap.

Write down the hardest rejection from a customer or supplier—note what happened after and how your business adapted.

Lower the stakes: pick one avoided task and do it badly—just to get it moving.

Change your desktop or workspace background to a quote about exploring the unknown.

Add a sticky note that says: “Rejection redirects me to better opportunities”—place it where hesitation often shows up.

Journal about a time you failed in retail—what story did you tell yourself, and how would you rewrite it differently now?

Journal about a time you acted despite uncertainty—what happened, and how did it shape your business future?

Reflect on your earliest memory of a customer or supplier saying no—how has that shaped your current approach to risk?

Reflect on where your fear of failure comes from—whose voice or experience shaped that belief?

Reflect on what the unknown triggers in you—loss of control, failure, or embarrassment?

Journal about a time your store idea or promotion was rejected—how did you explain it to yourself?

Identify how fear of failure shows up in your body—what physical cues appear before you freeze or stall?

Write about a moment when not knowing led to growth—how did the experience unfold?

Explore what you fear most about rejection in retail—loss of sales, damaged reputation, or customer loyalty?

Think of someone who embraces failure—how do they reframe it differently than you?

Explore your decision-making style—do you wait for certainty, or experiment with partial clarity?

Think of a retailer you admire who bounces back from rejection—what beliefs help them keep going?

Write about a success that came only after a mistake—how did that failure unlock growth?

Reflect on the cost of waiting for certainty—what experiences has hesitation blocked you from having?

Reflect on when you rejected yourself by not launching a product—what might have changed if you had tried?

List three opportunities you missed because you feared failing—what would you do differently today?

List three areas where ambiguity is present—how are you managing each mentally and emotionally?

List three initiatives you avoided recently due to fear of rejection—what would shift if you tested just one?

Volunteer for something uncertain this week—launch, pitch, or lead without knowing the outcome.

Make one decision this week without full information—trust instincts and capture the result.

Pitch a new product or offer in-store or online—even if it doesn’t sell, track the response and your reaction.

Share a past failure publicly in your team, a forum, or online—frame it as a growth moment.

Join a project or discussion outside your expertise—embrace learning in real time.

Ask for something you usually fear—better supplier discounts, customer testimonials, or cross-promotions.

Submit something before it’s perfect—focus on contribution instead of flawlessness.

Start something without knowing the full path—begin now and adjust as you go forward.

Apply for a local award, fair, or marketplace spot—even if you doubt winning, focus on the courage to try.

Ask a challenging question in a group—even if it feels risky to speak.

Try solving a problem without full research—use iteration to build understanding.

Send a message to a respected retailer—thank them for their inspiration, even if they never reply.

Choose to act even when only 80% ready—note what happens when you move before clarity.

Share publicly that you’re testing a new direction—own uncertainty and model courage.

Volunteer to present your store story at a local chamber or networking event—step into visibility before you feel ready.

Approach someone you respect for feedback on something unfinished—share progress, not perfection.

Ask someone to assign you a task that stretches you—accept it without overpreparing.

Share a personal story of failure and recovery with your staff or customers—observe how it builds trust.

Ask a peer to describe a time they failed and learned—what did they change in their mindset?

Ask a peer how they navigate uncertainty in retail—what do they tell themselves when clarity is missing?

Ask a loyal customer: “How do you experience me when I hesitate to recommend new products?”

Invite feedback on something you hesitate to share—compare the reaction to your fear.

Share an uncertain decision you’re facing—ask a peer how they’d approach it.

Discuss with a fellow retailer how rejection shaped your growth—exchange lessons and strategies.

Share a failure with a colleague—ask how they might have handled it differently.

Reflect with a peer on what uncertainty feels like—compare emotional and behavioral responses.

Ask a mentor or supplier how they handle client rejections—what mindset helps them persist?

Talk to someone about how fear of failure shaped their career—what advice would they give?

Invite feedback on how you show up in uncertainty—do others see confidence or hesitation?

Invite feedback after testing a bold promotion—did customers notice hesitation in your approach?

Ask someone how they know when fear of failure is showing—compare cues with your own.

Ask a peer to share a story where uncertainty led to growth—what did they learn?

Share a rejection story with your staff—normalize setbacks and invite their input on how to improve.

Ask for feedback on how you handle risk—do others see fear you don’t notice?

Share how you react when plans change—ask a peer if they’ve observed the same pattern.

Ask a colleague: “What’s one thing you wish I tried or promoted more often?”—listen openly without defending.

Reframe “I’ll mess this up” as “I’m practicing courage”—apply it to a business step today.

Reframe “I don’t know” as “I’m learning”—take one action instead of waiting for clarity.

Reframe “Customers will say no” as “This is practice for building courage”—treat every ask as progress.

Replace “What if I fail?” with “What might I learn if I try?”—focus on testing over fearing.

Change “This is unclear” to “This is open space”—explore instead of freezing.

Replace “I might look pushy” with “Trying is how I learn what works”—shift from judgment to growth.

View failure as iteration, not final—ask what an entrepreneur would test differently.

Turn “There’s no roadmap” into “This is a chance to create a new path in retail.”

View rejection not as failure but as filtering—every no brings you closer to ideal customers.

Instead of “This must go right,” say: “I’ll adjust based on what happens.”

Recast confusion as curiosity—ask one question instead of staying silent.

Instead of “What if they don’t like it?” ask: “What if this helps just one customer feel valued?”

Recast fear as readiness training—each step builds courage for bigger moves.

View unpredictability as agility training—each unknown builds flexibility.

Recast rejection as market feedback, not identity—what signal can you use to refine your offer?

Reframe high standards as drivers to improve, not proof of worth.

Instead of “What if I’m wrong?” ask: “What might I learn by being wrong this time?”

Shift “They’ll think less of my shop” to “I’ll think more of myself for trying at all.”

Notice when you delay testing a change—are you uncertain, or afraid of being wrong or unprepared?

Watch how you act when unsure of acceptance—do you withdraw, over-explain, or go silent with partners?

Watch how you behave when hesitant to upsell—do you stay silent, over-explain, or avoid the offer?

Observe a founder who takes bold swings—what mindset appears when plans don’t go as expected?

Track emotions when forecasts are unclear—do you freeze, rush, or ask clarifying questions?

Notice how other retailers handle rejection—what can you learn from their tone, posture, or follow-up?

Watch how you recover from a launch mistake—shut down, excuse, or reflect and adapt quickly?

Observe a leader steering through ambiguity—what language do they use to steady the team?

Track your self-talk after a customer declines—does it spiral, or stay constructive and forward-looking?

Notice your reaction when partners fail—judgmental, empathetic, or curious about learning?

Track self-talk with new platforms—does it invite testing or push you toward retreat?

Observe when you “pre-reject” yourself by not promoting a product—what do you avoid out of fear of no?

Notice bodily signals when taking a risk—tight, light, or heavy—use awareness to stay present.

Catch moments you crave guarantees—what would acting with partial clarity look like instead?

Catch micro-signals of approval-seeking with customers—do you discount too quickly to win them over?

Catch yourself avoiding a pitch due to fear—what outcome are you imagining, and how likely is it?

Watch how new sellers approach the unknown—what can you learn from their open mindset?

Notice how customers respond when you show vulnerability—do they disengage, or connect more deeply?

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