It’s unlikely, especially when you’re getting started, that you feel “unemotional,” “deliberate” and “thoughtful” very often. On the contrary, you’re full of vision, passion, and energy—traits that make you a dynamic entrepreneur but not always a good CEO. Your balloon (aka – your mind) is too full. Being unemotional, thoughtful and deliberate is tough when you’re looking for every opportunity to let out a little air. But sometimes you have to hold your breath. Since we are always under the influence of pressure, passion, pleasure and pain, you must see through the noise and pressure of the moment and make deliberate, thoughtful and unemotional decisions. I know what you’re thinking—“I wish I could feel one of those things for even one hour.”

Start today by making the commitment to being a more unemotional, deliberate and thoughtful leader. Take stock of your current behavior, reactiveness, and impact on those around you. As you improve your self-awareness and control, the benefits will be obvious. Your passion may have launched your vision into being, but now that passion needs to be redirected in an unemotional, thoughtful and deliberate way to support and inspire your maturing business. Someday you will look back fondly and say to yourself, “I can’t believe I acted like that.”