Many of us believe that we’re not the boss until our job title says so. And then even when we get there, we still worry that we’re not quite bossy enough!

The problem here is not promotions or positions: it’s the mindset. Bosshood isn’t something that comes from the outside world. It’s something that begins in the heart. It starts with a decision to take full responsibility for every outcome in your life.

But how do you move to such rarified psychological realms? Let’s take a look.

Know What You’re Worth

Knowing what you’re actually worth is a good starting point. Understanding that you have considerable value to add to any firm you work for makes a big difference in how you feel about yourself. If you truly believe that you’re capable of generating $100 or $1,000 per hour, you’re much more likely to do it.

Don’t Allow Fear Into Your Heart

Everyone feels fear, particularly in the world of business and economics. We all have a desperate wish to survive, and we believe that making a lot of money is the way to make it happen.

The trick here is to avoid allowing fear into your heart. But what can you do to make that happen? 

Simple: follow the two most important rules in life:

Rule #1: Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Rule #2: It’s all small stuff. 

Once you have a mindset like this, nothing can get in your way, no matter how scary it seems. That’s why ancient philosophers and mystics said things like he who fears not death can achieve anything. 

Avoid Shortcuts And Work Smart

In work, shortcuts without consequences rarely exist. If you really want to be a boss in life, you have to take the hard road. In fact, that’s ultimately what being a boss really means. You’re one of the rare people who always does the work, no matter how hard it gets.

However, you can make it easier on yourself by being smart about it. That’s what entrepreneurs like David Wallace do, and that’s what you should aim for, too. Don’t grind for the sake of it. Just ask yourself if there is a better way you could be adding value right now, regardless of what you’re doing. 

Focus On Making Something Better In The World

People with a boss mentality tend to look beyond themselves. It’s not all about their power or status. Instead, they focus on achieving something for other people, their community, or the planet. For them, life is mission-driven.

Don’t Assume You Know All The Answers

Hubris can lead you into deep trouble, particularly if you’re trying to upgrade your life to permanent boss hood. Believing that you have it all figured out will ultimately result in a rather large shock. 

Avoid assuming that you know everything. Instead, approach problems in work and life with a sense of humility. Get your priorities sorted. Work out where your field of expertise lies and don’t stretch beyond it. If you need to lean on others for their insight, do so.