There are few things in life I can nerd out about more than Harry Potter. For those who are familiar with J.K. Rowling’s books, (or movies!) you’re likely familiar with the Patronus Charm — but if you aren’t let me explain.

In a nutshell, the Patronus Charm is a wizarding spell for protection against soul-sucking Dementors. Dementors are evil creatures that drain people of peace, hope and happiness, and in their wake leave feelings of darkness and depression.

How does this relate to business? If you’ve ever felt the negative effects of Imposter Syndrome or have fallen victim to comparing yourself to others you can probably relate. Comparison and Imposter Syndrome are the Dementors of entrepreneurship. They’ll suck the wind right out of your sails and drain your drive and intensity if you let them.

The solution? Creating your very own Patronus, so that when doubt, fear and negativity creep in you know exactly what to do about it.

In order to get into the Patronus Mindset you’ll need to concentrate the feelings of hope and happiness, and desire that inspired you to start your business in the first place. In other words, your “WHY.” Think back to how excited you were when you started, or how happy you were when you made your first sale or helped your first client reach their goal. Bottle up that single moment when you believed in yourself wholeheartedly, felt like you could conquer the world and knew you could figure out any hurdle that got in your way.

How can you concentrate all of those feelings of happiness into a single burst of energy that you can shine when you need to get through the darkness?

Create a Vision Board. This works great for some people, but I need something a bit more concrete in order for it to feel real.

Create an Outcome Board. This is a putting a spin on the vision board and taking it a step further. It’s creating the vision and allowing yourself to see and feel the outcome of your success. Ask yourself:

• What would your life and the lives of everyone around you look like if you pushed onward and refused to let the dark vibes bring you down?
• How does that success feel? 
• How have you changed people’s lives for the better? 
• How does living your dream fuel you to dream even bigger and make more of an impact?

Establish a Patronus Mindset. Harness every ounce of positivity, inspiration and happiness you’ve ever felt about what you’re trying to achieve. It takes practice, but once you can do it you can call on it again and again. And the next time you find yourself in the throws of Imposter Syndrome or questioning whether or not you’re good enough you can say to yourself, “Oh crap, I think I need my Patronus right now!”


Success depends on grit, determination and resiliency. Figuring out how to carry yourself through the tough stuff is an essential business skill you cannot overlook, and keeping it fun never hurts! Ultimately it comes down to two things: believing that you are capable of whatever you put your mind to and having the courage and determination to go after it until you succeed.

Looking for help maintaining the right mindset, building your business and navigating the world of tech & digital marketing? A business coach can help! Click here to schedule a free consultation.