Building Mental Discipline: Burn Your Mind Bright, Not Out – Part 3

We like to be first, to be right. But do we always truly know what’s best for ourselves and our business? Are we genuinely open to new information? Do we allow for alternative perspectives on the things we do? Welcome to Juls’ Psychology guide to navigating the critical stages of the business life cycle and helping you think like a CEO.

Today’s personal business training for personal development and CEO Mindset Mastery focuses on another set of cognitive barriers that can unknowingly hold us back, helping entrepreneurs move from reactive habits to conscious action. By uncovering our biases and challenging our ingrained beliefs, we can avoid chronic fatigue, prevent endless stress and achieve truly productive results. You can read Part 1 here.

Entrepreneurial burnout is a serious condition, increasingly common among leaders who feel pressured by ingrained beliefs, stereotypes, commercial goals, and sometimes even false values. Strong competition, limited resources, and personal cognitive biases together create a powerful force that slowly leads us into burnout.

If you don’t have time to read our professional article, you might not be ready to make real, impactful changes. Make time and embrace some voluntary discomfort—because growth happens outside the comfort zone. We’re here to support you every step of the way, because #YouMatter.

Every Perception is a Microcosm. Today’s piece in the series on cognitive biases in business continues to reveal how mental barriers limit our ability to see reality in its full spectrum, confining us as human beings.

As a researcher, I’m fascinated by how, despite sharing similar cognitive mechanisms, each of us develops a unique worldview and mentality. The differences stem from the foundations upon which we build our identities—adding color and texture to how we hear and see the world, giving us a structured sense of “I am.”

I enjoy helping people to regain a sense of subjective control through the concept of Exclusive Self-Belonging: to feel that your thoughts, emotions, values, beliefs and reactions are a true reflection of you, you need to take the time to re-evaluate who you think you are and reframe your perception of yourself and your world.

Today, we’ll dive deeper into why it can be so difficult to feel that our ideas and feelings truly belong to us—that we are authentic and in charge of our lives and business.

If you stay in one place long enough, you might eventually see the results you hope for. How do you know you have the time you need? Don’t wait—change, adapt, evolve!

Generalization is a conclusion drawn about all or many instances of a phenomenon based on just a few occurrences. In psychology, we often use such tools to build profiles within specific contexts, allowing us to partially predict expected human behavior, with powerful practical applications. However, we strive to account for factors that influence, increase, or reduce the phenomenon observed.

By default, generalization is an inherently flawed belief—conditional and context-bound. We understand that even if 99.99% of people act in a particular way, there will always be a 0.01% who choose differently, because that is the nature of human free will.

Psychology teaches humility and acceptance of differences.

This doesn’t stop us from studying the similarities among the 99.99% and understanding how they differ from the unique 0.01%. It also means our conclusions about these similarities and differences apply only to a fraction of humanity, and only under certain conditions. The rest are hypotheses and assumptions.

When we operate a business and aim to sell to clients or motivate employees, we can’t generalize the reasons why different people buy or don’t buy, work hard or lack motivation. It’s equally unwise to assume that what motivates one group will motivate another just because the subject of analysis is the same.

Failing to recognize this information gap can prevent us from making the effort to open others’ eyes to our business and broaden our own horizons. It holds us back from understanding the perceptions and needs of others—be they employees or clients. This process will remain uncontrolled and automatic until we decide to interrupt, modify, or consciously optimize it.

Faulty generalization leads to strategic missteps in managing people, ideas, products, and processes, both within and outside the business.

We often overestimate how many people agree with us, assuming a broader alignment with our views than actually exists. In reality, complete agreement is impossible, as individual perceptions are inherently unique. The absence of differing opinions about our products may signal limited impact, irrelevance, or even hidden disagreement.

The false consensus effect challenges us to question whether people truly value and relate to the information we present. A classic example involves business leaders who assume their “guru” status due to a lack of public dissent. This lack of critical feedback may encourage them to overestimate their role as true role models.

The downside of this self-favoring perception is that we may become blind to the boundaries of our influence. Without awareness, we risk becoming a caricature rather than a respected leader, with our impact minimized or overlooked.

The absence of negative feedback can be a sign of covert social criticism and a limited role in the wider landscape.

People tend to overestimate how much attention others give them, especially in the digital age. I often notice an obsession with perfecting visuals that, in reality, will be scrolled past in seconds. We place weight and significance on things that may not impact others as decisively as we hope.

The false conviction that we’re truly important, that our opinions carry weight, or that our products are essential can lead to overwhelming pressure and hyper-fixation on others’ judgments and expectations.

One way to manage this is to remember that the world will keep spinning without our creations. This isn’t about undervaluing our contribution but rather about releasing the expectation that others must recognize our worth immediately. Create for good, do meaningful work, and let time reveal its value to those around you.

We often place too much emphasis on packaging, image, and reputation, instead of focusing on what truly matters—how people feel about us and our brand, and what even those who may never buy our products or services say about us.

It’s not just about beauty; it’s about the comfort, utility, and deeper aesthetic value behind it.

In business, we often assume that our perspective is the “right” one, viewing others’ perspectives as irrational or biased. This cognitive distortion, known as naive realism, limits our thinking, creating blind spots. Paired with naive cynicism—the assumption that others act purely for self-interest—it reinforces the idea that our views are the only “truth” while others’ intentions appear manipulative.

These tendencies can create “difficult” dynamics in business, obstructing effective decision-making and collaboration. Overcoming them requires empathy—for oneself and others. When a consultant also understands psychological insights, they can help clients address both formal business challenges and the personal skills needed to manage stress and tension in the workplace.

Building understanding fosters a shared reality, which strengthens strategic business growth.

The less you know, the more confident you are in yourself and your abilities because your limited awareness obscures the potential harm to your business, yourself, and others. Convincing someone with limited knowledge to see another perspective is challenging.

Ignorance is an ordinary, overcome-able state of a curious mind eager to learn, but overconfidence based on limited understanding can lead to serious setbacks. Curiosity and humility become essential assets in business, helping to temper overconfidence and ensuring decisions are made with a clearer understanding of consequences.

A lack of foundational business skills in areas like marketing, sales, and branding can significantly impact the success of a strategic intervention from an expert. When inexperienced entrepreneurs approach business decisions without a grasp of these essentials, they may undervalue or misinterpret expert insights.

Business can be approached in countless ways, and often, real-world pressures push us to learn through trial and error. Many new entrepreneurs initially seek quick fixes without realizing the need for deeper, strategic adjustments essential for sustainable growth. However, with experience, they often return more open to learning, having gained a clearer understanding of the value of comprehensive planning and careful decision-making that aligns with the core principles of their business.

Business, after all, is made by people, for people.

I’ve worked with entrepreneurs who will go to great lengths to prove their point—even by doing the exact opposite of what I’ve advised. Reactive resistance is often perceived by others as mere stubbornness or a contrary nature.

In business, receiving unwelcome feedback can make it tempting to fall back on old, familiar patterns, even when these habits don’t serve personal or business interests. Some individuals struggle with overcoming their impulses to collaborate, which often isolates them over time. In today’s business world, success requires a strong network, and strategies driven by reactive resistance inevitably lead to losses—especially if the resistance prevents meeting a client’s needs.

Being “first” and “right” doesn’t score points in business; success comes when you acknowledge and prioritize the needs of as many people as possible, through your products, services, ideas, skills, and values.

No one can rise above their ego without will and effort.

Many entrepreneurs I work with initially seem more inclined to talk about change than take action. It’s natural to feel stuck or even paralyzed under the weight of mounting responsibilities, where the idea of making even small adjustments can feel overwhelming.

This paralysis from over-analysis is a common response, and it typically fades as people begin to feel genuinely ready for change. But even in dysfunctional situations, people often feel too drained to implement even minor changes until they’ve mentally shed some of their burdens. In these moments, we naturally gravitate toward the smallest possible shifts to conserve energy and manage the stress of disruption.

Our minds need to prepare for change. However, what happens when we consciously choose to remain paralyzed and preserve the status quo? When we channel all our energy into resisting change, limiting potential future consequences, and minimizing anticipated stress, we risk stagnation.

In the business world—defined by continuous movement and adaptation—attempting to maintain a static personal or business model won’t be productive in the long run. While minor adjustments work well when the business model is stable and the market steady, resisting necessary transformation in times of upheaval leads to mounting personal tension and burnout.

Business, like a river, follows its own logic of constant flow. Resisting change won’t stop the flow, but it can leave us adrift and burnt out.

Many of us fall into the trap of believing that once we’ve invested time, money, and resources into a particular idea, product, or service, we must see it through to the end—even when it’s clear the investment was not worthwhile and it’s time to walk away.

Entrepreneurs often find it challenging to abandon business models and ideas that aren’t meeting expectations, continuing to pour in resources to “catch up.” Without a clear strategy and an exit plan, every option becomes difficult, especially for businesses bearing significant burdens. A common scenario is a small, family-owned business, funded by personal savings and even additional loans. Over time, this kind of business can turn into a bottomless pit, with its owners enduring years of sacrifice.

Even when a business isn’t generating substantial profit, entrepreneurs may keep it afloat by injecting outside funds. However, a business that cannot sustain itself will eventually become a heavy financial and emotional load. Exiting such a situation requires careful planning and ideally the support of financial experts, accountants, or legal advisors to assess the most feasible options.

A smart CEO knows when to leave the game without giving everything away on the field.

The Gambler’s Fallacy distorts our perception of how past events influence future ones, leading to the belief that certain outcomes are “due” to happen because they haven’t occurred recently—or that a repeated event is less likely to happen again. In business, this can lead to an illusion of control over outcomes that are actually unpredictable.

Many entrepreneurs fall into this trap, convincing themselves that the timing of certain events will dictate the right moment to take action or change direction. They might even believe that after a series of challenges, they are “due” for a break or success.

In reality, chance doesn’t operate on a fair or predictable cycle. Remaining in a state of inaction, waiting for the “right” conditions, can prevent forward progress. In a business environment shaped by uncertainty, having a strong strategy for development helps anchor decision-making amidst unpredictable outcomes.

Rather than waiting for a “lucky break” or relying on past patterns to predict future success, a well-structured plan enables steady progress by focusing on actionable goals, empowering entrepreneurs to move forward confidently despite the unknown.

A balanced approach requires recognizing the unpredictable nature of events and accepting that outcomes are less controllable than we often hope.

The human psyche, ever seeking explanations to anchor itself to reality, often gravitates toward superstitions when faced with factors beyond control. Entrepreneurs, in particular, may engage in actions unrelated to business outcomes with the belief that these “side” activities will positively influence results. Unlike rituals that can help refocus attention and perceptions, superstitious behaviors falsely ascribe magical power to unrelated actions in a bid to exert control over chance.

Superstitions might seep into brand symbolism or communication strategies, appealing to audiences seeking quick solutions. Yet, relying on such “magical” thinking can be problematic when the one placing faith in formulas is you—and your business is on the line.

No superstition can replace the impact of deliberate, sustained action.

The entrepreneurial path demands a cool, open mind, logical thinking, consistency, analysis, and a sense of priority. It requires us to live in harmony with our emotions, channeling them into creative ideas, innovative approaches, and meaningful connections with others. Anxiety can cloud our thoughts, making it harder to grasp how our perceptions influence our thinking and ultimately impact our outcomes.

Our views on needs, desires, whims, and business are often skewed. Entrepreneurship, at its core, is a balance between personal and others’ needs—just like any social role. Choosing to live in a parasitic relationship with your business is a personal choice. But for those who seek shared values, personal freedom, mental flexibility, and emotional resilience, there’s our Personal Business Training for Personal Development.

Explore more materials in this series on cognitive biases, burnout prevention, and free will for business leaders.

*This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, intervention, or care. The content herein reflects general perspectives and insights, which may not apply to individual circumstances. Readers are encouraged to seek the guidance of qualified professionals for personalized support. This article was originally published in Bulgarian under the title: How Do Cognitive Biases Lead to Entrepreneurial Burnout -3?

Personal growth can feel overwhelming and lonely, especially for CEOs. But remember, that’s just another mind trap. Let’s find a solution that fits your unique needs and goals. Connect with our expert, and let’s take that first step together. Our booking process is clear and simple for new clients.

Ready To Go?

Master Your Personality!

Transform your world and grow with us!

book us now

Our Newsletter:
Enhance Your Business Systems

Get free training, CEO interviews, and insights—stay connected while you await a spot on our waiting list. We optimize processes, operations, and tech solutions, connecting you with the right people.

Confidentiality is our priority. Strict NDAs protect our clients’ unique strategies, while valuable insights and knowledge are shared in case studies delivered straight to your inbox.

Let’s transform your ideas from the inside out.

join our newsletter

How can a single person make a real difference?

Julika Novkova, PhD

One person has the capacity to make such a positive change that would last over…

Read More

Why Synergistic Leaders Matter in Business: Insights from Personality Research

Julika Novkova, PhD

THE CEO EVEDYRAY LIFE From Passionate Ideas to Sustainable Success: A Human-Centered Approach to Business…

Read More

Invitation to Participate: The CEO Everyday Life Global Research 2025

Julika Novkova, PhD

Welcome to Juls’ Psychology Global Research on Modern Business Leaders CELEBRATE EVEDYRAY WINS You are…

Read More

The Everyday Life of the Female CEO: The Hardest Lessons to Learn

Julika Novkova, PhD

Your Personal Business Training for CEO Mindset! Behind every female CEO lies a story of…

Read More

Innovativeness, Risk-Taking, and Rigid Thinking: A Business Psychology Boost for CEOs

Julika Novkova, PhD

Your Personal Business Training for CEO Mindset! The modern CEO must navigate a complex landscape…

Read More

We keep in touch with potential clients, so we understand their struggles, needs, desires, and goals better. Join our waiting list if you aren’t sure what you need.
We’ll contact you free of charge to discuss the bigger picture.

KEEP YOUR IDEAS MOVING

Do not let your ideas get stuck: sign up for our waiting list.

Change. Adapt. Evolve.

sign up now

Thank you for giving me the sparks to smile and light my flame of hope through your ideas for additional uses of the products and services I already use, and through your motivations for the creative process itself! The good thing is that I implemented some of them the same day and I think I got a good price for them!

A great professional and a wonderful person! I am so grateful for the energy, the support and the human touch!
So talented and dedicated!
I wish everyone the pleasure of working with Juls.

I met Juls through her other clients who were happy to work with her and achieve good results.
During our meetings she helped me to clarify my overall concept, to structure my business strategy, to gain confidence and to see the sense of what I do in a new way. She inspires me.
Thank you, Julika, for the valuable advice and warm support!

I highly recommend Juls to anyone looking for their answer. Meeting her can be a turning point in your personal development!

Juls,
Thanks to people like you, I believe in the goodness and purpose of myself! I hope I will soon be resourceful enough to be useful and helpful like you! Thank you for your understanding and patience!
See you soon!

Hello, Juls!
I am blessed to have found you and grateful to have you! I can already say from experience that with your help, people who trust you run their marathon of personal and professional growth more easily and confidently!
I am very grateful for your patience with me!

Thank you for your support! You are wonderful!
I came with the following expectations: personal support,
guidance on what to work on.
I left with the satisfaction of your ideas, the path laid out, the tasks on a personal level. I feel more energized, with more
inspiration, with more self-confidence. Greetings! Beautiful day!

The most dedicated, energetic and thoughtful leader I have met in Bulgaria – it has been a real pleasure partnering with Juls and learning from her experience. She is an endless resource of ideas, practical tips and knowledge, but most importantly true support which makes the work easy and enjoyable. Highly recommend Juls for her professionalism, positive energy and commitment to success!

Juls strikes me as a dedicated, confident, and communicative person. It was during time of starting a project for a team training. I feel confident in stating that she is an excellent expert in profiling personality and an outstanding professional by delivering the most proper and motivational feedback.

I met Juls in a moment when my business was going down. I was poor at sales and the income became less and less. Juls helped me analyze my current busines and helped me create a new strategy for it. I have never asked myself the questions she asked and thus made me re-think the vision of my business and to build a whole new business strategy. She was so positive and trusting me that I started to believe that I can revive my business and make it profitable again.