Anxiety: The Secret to Entrepreneurial Success

For many entrepreneurs, anxiety feels like an unwelcome companion—lurking in the background, ready to hold them back from peak performance. However, research shows that anxiety, when viewed through the right lens, can actually be a powerful tool for success.

Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal thoroughly debunks the anxiety myth in her book The Upside of Stress. She walks through numerous studies showing the benefits of anxiety for both health and performance. For example, an eight-year study showed that anxiety only reduced life span if the participant believed anxiety was harmful. Participants who didn’t believe anxiety was harmful had longer life spans, even if they experienced a high level of anxiety. Thus, it is our mindset, not our anxiety level, that harms our physical well-being.

Allison Wood Brooks, a researcher at Harvard Business School, took this idea a step further in her 2013 paper Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement. Across several experiments, Brooks found that individuals who reframed their anxiety as excitement consistently outperformed their counterparts in tasks ranging from public speaking to math tests. Simply stating, “I am excited,” led to measurable improvements.

Perhaps most strikingly, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology showed that even a brief intervention could yield lasting effects. College students preparing for the GRE who read a short passage about the benefits of anxiety scored significantly higher on a practice exam. Incredibly, when they took the real GRE three months later, the gains not only persisted but increased, with no additional intervention.

As an entrepreneur, you likely face a constant stream of challenges that can trigger anxiety. But what if you could harness that adrenaline surge to propel you forward? By embracing challenges as opportunities to learn, grow, and serve others, you can channel that energy into heightened cognitive performance. In essence, anxiety becomes a natural performance enhancer when directed toward productive ends. By actively seeking out challenges—even creating them for yourself—you can build resilience and transform your relationship with anxiety.

Start small by identifying a task you've been avoiding, whether it's a difficult conversation or a high-stakes project. Rather than shying away, dive in headfirst. Embrace the discomfort as a sign that you're growing. Reflect on how facing your fears boosts your confidence and skills.

Over time, this approach can revolutionize not only your work but also your personal life. You'll find yourself energized by challenges, eager to test your limits. As you model this mindset for others, you'll create a culture of growth and resilience that permeates your organization. By befriending your anxiety and leveraging it as a tool for growth, you'll unlock new levels of performance and fulfillment as an entrepreneur.

The science is clear—your beliefs about anxiety shape its impact. So choose to see it as an ally, and watch as your entrepreneurial journey reaches new heights.

Dr. Johann M. D’Souza is a clinical psychologist with a passion for helping people overcome anxiety, distraction, and OCD. With a commitment to scientifically supported treatments, he works to guide clients in transforming challenges into opportunities for personal growth. His approach is rooted in understanding thoughts, emotions, and actions to help clients unlock their fullest potential. His practice Values First Therapy offers modern psychology with traditional family values. In addition, he hosts the Virtuous Leaders show to highlight inspiring examples of moral and professional excellence.