Introduction: My Biggest Business Struggle – Fear of Not Being Seen
When I first started my business, I was full of hope. I had a big dream: to help people, build something meaningful, and create success on my own terms.
But soon, I ran into a huge wall—a wall made of fear.
I was afraid of:
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Not being seen by potential customers.
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Not having enough confidence to speak up in important meetings.
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Not knowing how to charge the right price.
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Constantly comparing myself to other successful entrepreneurs online.
This fear was not just in my mind—it was real. It affected the way I posted on social media, how I pitched to investors, and even the way I dressed for business meetings.
I would think:
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“What if no one hires me?”
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“What if people laugh at my idea?”
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“What if I’m not good enough?”
I was stuck in a loop of negative thinking, and the more I worried, the worse my business felt.
Then something changed. I discovered an ancient Hawaiian practice called Ho’oponopono.
What Is Ho’oponopono?
Ho’oponopono is a simple but powerful method that helps people clean negative thoughts and feelings from their mind.
It uses four easy phrases:
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I’m sorry.
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Please forgive me.
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Thank you.
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I love you.
These phrases help you accept what happened, let go of guilt, and build peace inside.
Instead of struggling to control external success, Ho’oponopono helps you control your inner world.
My Discovery Story: How I Found Ho’oponopono
I was feeling desperate. My business wasn’t growing. My confidence was at its lowest. I was afraid to post my first video online or send my business proposal to a client.
One evening, while searching for answers online, I found a simple article about Ho’oponopono.
At first, I thought, “This sounds too simple to work.”
But I decided to try.
I sat quietly and repeated the four phrases:
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“I’m sorry.”
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“Please forgive me.”
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“Thank you.”
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“I love you.”
At first, it felt strange. But slowly, I felt a small shift—a release of tension.
I began doing it every day.
And little by little, my mindset started to change.
The Pivot: How My Business Mindset Shifted
1. My Money Mindset Improved
Before, I thought:
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“I don’t deserve to make money.”
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“Rich people are greedy.”
After practicing Ho’oponopono:
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“I’m sorry for thinking I don’t deserve success.”
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“Please forgive me for believing wealth is bad.”
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“Thank you for helping me realize that money is a tool to help others.”
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“I love the opportunity to create value and be rewarded fairly.”
This changed how I saw my services. I began charging what I deserved without guilt.
2. My Visibility Increased
At first, I hid. I was afraid of judgment.
Then I said:
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“I’m sorry I haven’t shown my real self.”
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“Please forgive me for fearing exposure.”
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“Thank you for giving me courage to share my story.”
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“I love the opportunity to inspire others.”
Suddenly, posting videos, writing articles, and sharing my message felt easier. My audience started growing slowly but steadily.
3. I Found Peace and Clarity
The biggest change was peace. Instead of constantly worrying, I began focusing on my own values and purpose.
I stopped chasing likes or approval. I just showed up authentically.
Why Entrepreneurs Face Fear of Judgment
Entrepreneurs face FOPO (Fear of People’s Opinions) because:
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Their ideas are new and sometimes weird.
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Investors, customers, and employees constantly judge their work.
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Social media makes comparisons worse.
But FOPO is dangerous because it makes you:
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Avoid risks
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Copy others
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Lose confidence
Michael Gervais calls this a mental prison.
How Does Mastery Look in Business?
Mastery doesn’t mean being perfect. It means:
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Living by your values
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Being consistent
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Facing challenges with calm
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Trusting your own journey
Famous entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Arianna Huffington didn’t wait for approval. They followed their vision, even when others doubted them.
That’s true mastery.
Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Breakthrough
Sarah, a coach I worked with, was stuck.
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She thought: “Nobody will pay me $500 per session.”
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She was afraid of posting videos.
I introduced her to Ho’oponopono.
After 30 days of practice, Sarah:
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Posted her first video.
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Stopped giving huge discounts.
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Attracted high-paying clients.
She said:
"The four phrases helped me stop running from fear. I started showing up as myself, and everything changed."
The Science Behind Ho’oponopono
Research shows that self-compassion practices help reduce stress.
When you say:
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“I’m sorry”
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“Please forgive me”
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“Thank you”
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“I love you”
Your brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and oxytocin.
This helps you:
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Stay calm
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Improve focus
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Build resilience
So it’s not “just ancient wisdom”—it’s science-backed.
Practical Steps to Apply Ho’oponopono in Your Business Mindset
Here’s a simple plan you can follow:
Step 1: Create a Quiet Space
Find 5–10 minutes daily where you won’t be disturbed.
Step 2: Repeat the Four Phrases
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I’m sorry.
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Please forgive me.
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Thank you.
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I love you.
Step 3: Apply It to Business Situations
Whenever you feel fear about visibility or money mindset, repeat the phrases.
Examples:
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Before posting online.
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Before pitching to a client.
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Before sending an important email.
Step 4: Journal Your Progress
Write down what changed after a week, two weeks, and a month. Celebrate small wins.
Why Small Acts of Courage Lead to Big Success
At first, the practice may feel small or even silly. But these small steps build a foundation of confidence.
Examples of small acts:
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Posting your first video.
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Speaking up in a meeting.
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Saying no to a bad client offer.
Every small act of courage adds up. Over time, your fear becomes weaker, and your confidence grows stronger.
How Ho’oponopono Supports Leadership Growth
As a leader, your team looks up to you.
When you practice Ho’oponopono:
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You show vulnerability.
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You stop trying to be perfect.
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You lead by example.
This helps create a culture of trust in your company. Employees start feeling safe to share ideas, make mistakes, and innovate.
Real-Life Example: How Ho’oponopono Helped Me Launch My First Big Project
When I decided to launch my first big online course, I was excited but also terrified. My mind was full of:
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“What if nobody signs up?”
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“What if I look stupid in front of my audience?”
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“What if I fail completely?”
These thoughts made me procrastinate for weeks.
Then I remembered Ho’oponopono. I sat down and slowly repeated the four phrases:
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“I’m sorry for doubting my ability to create value.”
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“Please forgive me for being afraid of failure.”
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“Thank you for giving me the chance to grow.”
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“I love the challenge of this project.”
Each time I said the phrases, I felt a little lighter. My fear seemed smaller.
Finally, I published the course.
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The first week, I got a few sign-ups.
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The second week, more people started enrolling.
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By the end of the month, the course was a success.
What I learned was powerful:
👉 Mastery isn’t about never feeling fear. It’s about taking action despite fear.
How Ho’oponopono Helps With Negative Feedback
Every entrepreneur faces criticism. Whether it’s a tough review, a skeptical client, or an investor who says no, it hurts.
Here’s how I used Ho’oponopono when receiving negative feedback:
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“I’m sorry I let this feedback make me doubt myself.”
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“Please forgive me for taking it personally.”
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“Thank you for giving me a chance to improve.”
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“I love the opportunity to learn and grow.”
Instead of shutting down or getting defensive, I learned to see feedback as a tool. I became calmer, more focused, and ready to improve my business.
The Difference Between Confidence and Arrogance
Many people confuse confidence with arrogance.
Here’s the real difference:
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Confidence is quiet. It comes from knowing your value and purpose.
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Arrogance is loud. It’s based on needing approval from others.
Ho’oponopono helps you build true confidence by:
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Healing self-doubt.
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Letting go of the need for validation.
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Focusing on serving others instead of impressing them.
Once I stopped worrying about what people thought, my confidence naturally grew.
Why Mastery Is a Daily Practice, Not a Destination
Mastery doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process that takes time and consistency.
Every day, I practiced Ho’oponopono.
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Some days I felt great.
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Other days I felt overwhelmed.
But I kept showing up.
It’s like going to the gym.
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One day doesn’t build muscles.
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But regular practice builds strength over time.
Similarly, every time I said:
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“I’m sorry.”
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“Please forgive me.”
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“Thank you.”
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“I love you.”
I built a stronger, calmer mind.
Advanced Ho’oponopono Tips for Entrepreneurs
If you’re already practicing Ho’oponopono and want to go deeper, here are some advanced tips:
1. Visualize the Problem
Before repeating the four phrases, take a moment to imagine the situation you’re struggling with.
Example: Visualize yourself sending an important business proposal.
2. Personalize Your Phrases
Instead of just saying the standard four phrases, customize them to your situation.
Example:
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“I’m sorry for doubting my ability to deliver great value in this proposal.”
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“Please forgive me for fearing rejection.”
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“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn from this experience.”
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“I love myself for taking action today.”
3. Combine With Journaling
Write your thoughts before and after practicing Ho’oponopono. This helps track your progress and deepens your clarity.
Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail at Mindset Work
Most entrepreneurs focus only on strategy and tactics:
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How to get more clients
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How to write better ads
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How to optimize sales funnels
But the real problem is often their own mindset.
Fear of judgment, low self-worth, and imposter syndrome block real growth.
Ho’oponopono works because it goes straight to the root of the problem: the relationship you have with yourself.
A Powerful Mindset Shift: From Scarcity to Abundance
Before Ho’oponopono, my mindset was full of scarcity:
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“I don’t have enough clients.”
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“There’s too much competition.”
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“I’ll never reach my goals.”
After practicing:
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“I’m sorry for believing there isn’t enough for me.”
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“Please forgive me for feeling small.”
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“Thank you for showing me I can create value.”
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“I love the abundance of opportunities around me.”
This shift opened new doors. Instead of competing, I began collaborating. Instead of focusing on lack, I focused on serving others.
Conclusion: Master Your Mind, Master Your Business
The first rule of mastery is simple but powerful:
👉 Stop worrying about what people think.
When you do, you:
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Gain clarity about your purpose.
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Build true confidence.
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Attract clients who value your authenticity.
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Create a business that grows in meaning, not fear.
Mastery is not about being perfect.
It’s about showing up every day with love for yourself and your mission.
Ho’oponopono is the key that unlocked my clarity, peace, and growth.
If you’re struggling, start today.
👉 Find 5–10 quiet minutes.
👉 Repeat the four phrases.
👉 Watch your mindset and business transform over time.
About Neeti Keswani
This blog is part of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast movement, hosted by Neeti Keswani—where luxury lifestyle meets spiritual wisdom and authentic leadership. Neeti shares practical tools like Ho’oponopono, mindfulness, and authentic branding to help entrepreneurs and leaders balance success with inner peace.
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