Feeling stuck in your business?

As a small business owner, have you ever noticed how the same challenge can feel completely overwhelming one day and manageable the next? The difference often lies not in the problem itself, but in which part of you is showing up to handle it.

We all have different aspects of our personality that emerge depending on our emotional state. When business feels tough, it might be the self-doubting part ruminating on worst-case scenarios, the people-pleasing side avoiding tough conversations, the blaming part pointing fingers (at others or yourself), or the procrastinating side pushing action to "tomorrow." These responses keep us stuck.

But there's another part of you, the resourceful, assertive, action-oriented leader, waiting to step forward. The key to accessing it? Changing your state, starting with your body.

The link between body, mind, and business performance

Tony Robbins, a leading expert in personal development, has long taught that "motion creates emotion" He describes the Triad of Emotional Psychology: three interconnected forces that determine our emotional state:

• Physiology – Your posture, movement, breathing, and overall body language.
• Focus – What you pay attention to and the meaning you assign to events.
• Language – The internal words and stories you tell yourself.

The fastest way to shift your state is to start with physiology. When you change how your body moves and holds itself, it influences what you focus on and the language you use, creating a more empowered mindset that leads to different actions and results.

Power posing: a simple tool to feel more confident

Research by social psychologist Amy Cuddy (formerly at Harvard) brought attention to how posture affects our sense of power. In her well-known work on "power posing," holding expansive poses, such as standing tall with hands on hips (the classic "Wonder Woman" stance) or feet shoulder-width apart, chest open, chin up, for just two minutes can increase feelings of confidence and reduce feelings of stress.

While early findings suggested hormonal shifts (e.g., higher testosterone, lower cortisol), replications have shown mixed results on those specific changes. However, some studies confirm a reliable effect: adopting expansive postures reliably makes people feel more powerful and in control. This subjective boost can help in high-pressure moments, like making tough decisions, negotiating, or leading your team through uncertainty.

Tony Robbins echoes this idea: before trying to "talk yourself" into confidence, change your physiology first. A quick run, dancing to an upbeat song, jumping on the spot, or even a deliberate power pose can interrupt unhelpful patterns and bring forward that capable, decisive part of you.

Try it: a quick physiology reset

Right now, experiment with this simple practice: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips, chest open, shoulders back, and chin slightly raised (or choose any movement that energises you – shake it out, stretch, or dance). Hold or move for 2 minutes while breathing deeply.

Notice the shift: your body signals strength and capability to your brain, quieting doubt and amplifying clarity. Many people report feeling more energised, creative, and ready to act, much like after a good run or workout.

Shift your focus

Once your physiology changes, build on it by adjusting the other parts of the triad.

Ask these empowering questions to redirect focus:

• What's great (or useful) about this problem?
• How could this become an opportunity for growth?
• What's the best that could happen here?
• What small step can I take right now?

Reframing your internal language

Instead of "I can't do this", try "I haven't figured it out yet." Instead of "I can't handle this", try "I'll find a way to make it work." Instead of "This will never resolve", try "I'm solving this step by step." 

Practise these daily, ideally in your new physiology, and you'll build the habit of accessing an empowered state on demand, rather than reacting to stress.

Moving forward with clarity and momentum

Business challenges are inevitable, but your response doesn't have to be. By starting with your body, you can interrupt stuck patterns, access resourceful parts of yourself, and take the actions that create real progress. Here's to showing up as the leader your business needs.