When I left my home country Brazil over 20 years ago to pursue a vision, I could never have imagined the amount of ups and downs I signed up for. The entrepreneurial journey is not linear and although we're aware of this reality, the curves and turning points can still catch you in unexpected moments - forcing you to not only make decisions but also completely revisit the decision-making process itself.

That's what happened when I faced some of the greatest challenges I encountered along the way. I had to look inside, understand priorities and embrace a new approach to problem-solving that would allow me to build the resilience I needed and, mainly, nurture it. I found the power of my inner pillars of strength - mind, heart and spirit - and finally learned how to let my emotional side complement this process. In other words: make my heart an ally. Here's how.

My purpose of empowering people is the reason why I started this journey. It’s the deeper calling that fuels my drive and gives meaning to my efforts. And the purpose behind entrepreneurship is usually deeply rooted in the heart - it's that voice that speaks louder to your passions and emotional ambitions. That's why, in the face of setbacks, reconnecting with this purpose can ground you and guide you. It becomes an important add-on to the rational process as it reminds you of the impact you seek to create besides numbers. It's a re-focus on the long-term vision.

Speaking of passion, the heartbeat of the purpose, balancing it with risk calculation made me realise I could keep pursuing what matters with high energy - a game-changing element for entrepreneurs. Passion kept me innovative and gave me the courage to take the leap when logic alone was telling me to stop.

On that note, I quickly understood the importance of adding emotional support to the equation - and how it can be as critical as having a solid business plan. Trusted people can offer perspective, encouragement, and advice when self-doubt creeps in. This support system helps lighten the emotional burden, reducing the impact on confidence and reinforcing our belief in ourselves - and feeding it back to our purpose.

The mind-heart-spirit technique creates a balance that can help sustain entrepreneurs and business leaders through tough times. The heart pillar is essential because it allows us to build resilience with authenticity, being true to the raw version of ourselves - the one that had no idea of what was coming, bright, energised and fully immersed in the purpose that inspired it all. Connecting with this version to weather storms is about connecting to our most real self, and a constant reminder about why, back in the day, you took a chance in the first place.

By Maira Genovese

Founder & CEO, MG Empower