Episode 300: 11 Mindset Hacks To Take Your Business To The Next Level

Your mindset is going to get you everywhere or keep you exactly where you are at. As we publish this 300th episode, I am talking to you from my heart, as I always do on the milestone episodes. This time is it all about what you are saying in your own head. HOW to scale this business is the easy part. It is the MINDSET that is the tough part. When "bad" things happen, or you "fail" what is your reaction or response? Is it something that will turn it into a positive that you can stand strong on or something that holds you down and prevents you from growth and momentum? Today, I am going to give you 11 Mindset Hacks to take you to the next level. These are all ones I have used myself. I have been posting them weekly on my Instagram, as I know some of you save them for inspiring quotes. It is my hope that this episode makes you uncomfortable enough to challenge your thinking so you can think clear enough to push to your next goal. Thank you for listening to 300 episodes. Biggest Takeaways: 8:00 11 questions to shift your business mindset 10:30 Responding or reacting 12:15 What can I learn from this 13:22 The only person you can control is yourself 17:31 I have something valuable 18:55 Shine my light 21:53 I need a goal, mentor, and bite sizes 23:46 I am unique 27:11 Building a team is necessary 29:29 Why does it affect me? where does it come from? what needs to be healed? 31:31 Personal life mirrors your business 33:33 Software tool  Recommendations: Shifting your business mindset can be one of the greatest tools to achieving success in your business. I have brought 300 episodes to you filled with information on how to hire, generate more sales, and even how to choose your software. But if your mindset isn't in a place of positivity, you will sink the ship with your thoughts alone. Surrounding yourself with people who help you grow rather than hinder you, sets the tone for positivity. The Mastermind group is a community of like-minded business owners cheering each other on and leaning on one another when help is needed. If you are looking for a place to grow, this might be the community you have been looking for. For more pet sitting and dog walking podcasts, check out Pet Sitter Confessional Links: Bella Vasta on Instagram Employees, Blogs, & Daily Operations! If I’ve Taught You Anything…Episode 200 Running a Business Through Divorce or Major Life Changes Birthday Special! Software tool Mastermind Transcript: This is episode 300 of Bella in Your Business. Hi there, I'm Bella Vasta from Jump Consulting. You might know me from CBS, NBC, Fox, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, or maybe you've seen me speak on stage or read my book The Four Dogs That Every Business Owner Needs. In any case, get ready because you're about to get your hashtag Bella Butt Kickin' in this next episode of Bella in Your Business. So what do you say? Let's get ready and jump. Welcome everybody to the 300th episode of Bella in Your Business. I want to just start this off by honoring you and saying thank you so much for being here with me. Whether you've listened from the very first episode or you're just a recent listener or even a sporadic listener, I just seriously want to say thank you. It is the biggest honor for me to be in your ears while you're walking dogs, doing laundry, cooking, or driving the kids around. I don’t take that lightly. Every single episode, I want to speak directly to you—to help encourage, inspire, and motivate you, and let you know that you can do hard things. Having a business is very hard—and you can do hard things. I would not be here without you guys, without seeing that our stats keep going up and up and up. There’s about a thousand downloads a week right now, and it wouldn’t be worth it without you. It’s those emails, text messages, and DMs that say, “I really loved that episode, thank you for doing it,” that make all the difference. In honor of the 300th episode, I’ve updated the podcast cover—it’s been the same since 2016! You might’ve noticed it looks a little different now, which is exciting. I also want to give a shoutout to all the kids who listen—hey, what’s up? Leia’s kids, Randi’s kids, and everyone else out there. And to those of you who regularly repost or DM me—like Christine and Kathy—thank you. This wouldn’t be worth it unless it was a two-way conversation. This week, the episode goes live on July 21st, which happens to be my daughter’s birthday. My birthday is on the 18th, and hers is on the 21st. I checked into the hospital eight years ago on my birthday and had her on a Monday. I started this podcast back in June 2014—one episode a month at first. It wasn’t until 2016 that I started producing episodes consistently every Thursday, and we’ve pretty much kept that up ever since. I listened back to my first episode recently. It was called How to Get Through the Hiring Slumps. I was recording inside my walk-in closet because my whole house had tile and I needed carpet to reduce the echo. It’s surreal listening to it now—obviously I’ve grown a lot—but the themes are still the same: hiring, systems, and processes. Back then, you could get 1,700 hits on a blog in a day by sharing it on Facebook. Now, the algorithms don’t show links because they don’t want people leaving the platform. The technology has changed, but the core message hasn’t. In 2014, only 15% of people listened to podcasts. Now, 32% do every month, and 74% of them are listening to learn. That’s why you’re here—to learn, to be inspired, and maybe to hear what might come out of my mouth next! There are a few other pet-sitting podcasts now—like Pet Sitter Confessionals with Megan and Colin, who also recently hit 300 episodes. They interview pet sitters and share stories, and I think that’s amazing. The more perspectives you hear, the better your business becomes. In honor of this milestone, today’s episode is a reflective one—11 questions to ask yourself. 1. Am I responding or reacting to a situation? When something triggers you—your heart races, you shake, your blood boils—ask yourself this question. Are you reacting (acting without thought) or responding (pausing, breathing, and thinking)? Great leaders know how to respond, not react. 2. What can I learn from this? When things go wrong, don’t ask “Why is this happening to me?” Replace that with “What can I learn from this?” It’s a mindset shift that builds resilience and gratitude. 3. What responsibility did I have in this not working out? Instead of blaming others, look inward. What part did you play? Could you have communicated better? Tweaked a system? Learned something new? Take ownership—but don’t take on other people’s stuff. 4. I need to learn more so I can master it. If something feels too hard, it’s not because you’re incapable—it’s because you haven’t learned it yet. The more you know, the more confident and capable you become. 5. I have something valuable to share with the world. You are doing something meaningful. Maybe you’re creating jobs, building culture, or helping pet owners feel supported. Recognize the value of what you do and share it boldly. 6. I have to shine my light and execute my talents. If people tell you you’re “too much,” that’s their problem, not yours. You are uniquely created, and it’s your duty to use your gifts. Don’t dim your light. 7. I need a goal, a mentor, and bite-sized steps. You can’t see clearly when you’re lost in the weeds. You need a mentor to guide you and break your goals into small, doable steps. That’s why communities like the Mastermind exist—to help you stay accountable and focused. If you email me by July 25th, I’ll even give you a private coupon to join the Mastermind at a discount, just because it’s my birthday week. 8. I am unique. Therefore, there’s only one of me. Whenever imposter syndrome hits, remember this: there’s only one you. No one else can bring what you bring. 9. I am created for a purpose and can do anything I put my mind to. You were made to do something great. Start telling yourself that—even if you don’t fully believe it yet. My daughter says, “Mommy, this is hard.” And I tell her, “You’re right. But you can do hard things.” 10. I can’t do everything 100% of the time. Building a team is necessary. If you’re doing it all alone, it’s not sustainable. You can’t be the sitter, the marketer, the HR person, the bookkeeper, and the parent all at once. Build a team. That’s how you grow without burning out. 11. Why does this affect me? Where does it come from? What needs to be healed? This is the deepest one. When something triggers you, ask why it affects you. Where does it come from—childhood, trauma, insecurity? What needs healing? Unhealed wounds show up in your business and personal life. When you become aware, you can start to release them. In honor of the 300th episode and my birthday week, I’m offering 50% off coaching sessions—but only for six people. Go to jumpconsulting.net/birthday to grab one before they’re gone. Also, if you’re overwhelmed choosing pet-sitting software, try the free tool at jumpconsulting.net/software. You’ll get customized recommendations based on your needs—no more decision fatigue. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. If you’ve listened to all 300 episodes, let me know—I’ll shout you out next week! When life gets you down, always keep jumping. So what did you think? Did you love this episode? I sure hope you did, because I put a lot of love into this for you. The best way you can show me that is by going to iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you listen to your podcast and leaving a review. I just might read it on the next episode. And remember, when life gets you down, always keep jumping. Thanks for listening.