The sun peeks over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of promise. You’ve got a day packed with appointments, each one brimming with potential to guide another entrepreneur toward their God-given vision. Excitement hums within you. This is why you do what you do.

Then the notification dings. And then another. Two of your promising appointments have either canceled or rescheduled. A familiar wave of disappointment washes over you. It’s easy to let the “what ifs” creep in. Were they not serious? Is my coaching not valuable enough? Will I even hit my goals this month?

In those moments, it’s tempting to let the negative momentum take hold. Maybe you feel less motivated to reach out to new leads. Perhaps your energy dips, affecting the enthusiasm you bring to your remaining client calls. You might even find yourself dwelling on those setbacks, replaying them in your mind like a broken record.

But as faith-driven business coaches, we are called to a higher standard. We understand that the battles we face aren't just in the tangible realm of schedules and income. There's an unseen battleground – the landscape of our minds. And it’s here, in the quiet corners of our thoughts, that victory or defeat often takes root.

The Bible reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. When cancellations and disappointments knock at our door, it’s a direct challenge to this divine instruction. Will we dwell on the setback, allowing negativity to cloud our judgment and stifle our actions? Or will we, by the grace of God, choose to actively guard our minds?

Here’s why protecting your mindset is paramount, especially from a faith perspective:

1. It Fuels Your Activity, Not Hinders It: When disappointment lingers, it can easily paralyze us. We might procrastinate on crucial tasks, avoid reaching out, or simply go through the motions with a heavy heart. But a mind anchored in faith, trusting in God’s plan even amidst the bumps in the road, empowers us to keep moving forward. We understand that setbacks are not necessarily roadblocks, but perhaps detours leading to a better path. We can pray for guidance, re-evaluate our strategy, and continue to sow seeds of opportunity with renewed purpose.

2. It Shapes Your Words and Interactions: Our internal state inevitably spills out into our external interactions. If we’re feeling discouraged and defeated, it can subtly (or not so subtly) impact how we communicate with potential and current clients. Our tone might lack enthusiasm, our confidence might waver, and our ability to inspire might diminish. However, when we consciously choose to focus on God's faithfulness and the positive impact we can still make, our words become infused with hope and encouragement, attracting the very people we are meant to serve. 

3. It Safeguards Your Outcomes: Ultimately, our mindset directly influences our results. A negative mindset breeds inaction and hinders creativity. A positive, faith-filled mindset, on the other hand, fosters resilience, problem-solving, and unwavering belief in the vision God has placed within us. We trust that even when things don’t go according to our plans, God is still in control, working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). This trust empowers us to persevere, adapt, and ultimately achieve the outcomes He has destined for us.

So, how do we actively protect this precious space within us?

• Start Your Day in Prayer and Scripture: Grounding yourself in God’s Word and seeking His guidance sets the tone for the entire day. It reminds you of His sovereignty and His unwavering love, providing a strong foundation to weather any storm.

• Practice Gratitude: Even amidst disappointment, there are always blessings to count. Focusing on what you do have shifts your perspective and cultivates a spirit of contentment.

• Challenge Negative Thoughts: When those discouraging thoughts arise, don’t let them take root. Actively challenge them with truth from Scripture and affirmations of God’s promises.

• Seek Support and Encouragement: Connect with fellow faith-driven coaches who understand the unique challenges and triumphs of this calling. Share your struggles and allow them to speak life and encouragement into your situation.

• Remember Your "Why": Revisit the core reason God called you to be a business coach. Remembering the impact you’re making on others can reignite your passion and purpose, even when faced with temporary setbacks.

The journey of a business coach is rarely a straight line. There will be peaks and valleys, moments of exhilarating success and times of frustrating disappointment. But as believers, we have a powerful weapon in our arsenal: the ability to choose our thoughts, to guard our minds, and to trust in a God who is always working, even when we can’t see the full picture.

Let us commit to tending the garden of our minds with diligence and faith, knowing that a healthy mindset, rooted in Christ, is the key to protecting our activity and ultimately fulfilling the impactful outcomes God has called us to achieve.