In the fast-paced world of a startup founder, your mind is your most valuable asset. But what happens when that asset feels overloaded, bogged down by constant decisions, and trapped in cycles of overthinking? This state, often called "analysis paralysis" or "decision fatigue," can stop innovation in its tracks .
Many high achievers try to think their way out of this problem, but the solution might not be about thinking more. It might be about cleansing your mind. This is where an ancient Hawaiian practice called Ho’oponopono (pronounced ho-oh-pono-pono) comes in.
Ho’oponopono means "to make right" or "to correct an error" . Traditionally, it was used to restore harmony within families and communities. In its modern form, it’s a powerful tool for internal cleansing. For a founder, it’s a system to hit the mental "reset" button.
Why Founders Are So Prone to Overthinking and Fatigue
Before we dive into the solution, let's understand the problem. As a founder, you are constantly making decisions with limited information and high stakes. Your story might be similar to Emma’s, who was "perpetually stuck in the planning phase," always waiting for more data or the perfect moment .
This state is not just inconvenient; it has real costs:
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Missed Opportunities: Markets change, and competitors move while you're stuck analysing .
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Stunted Growth: The most valuable lessons come from taking action and adapting, not just from planning .
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Emotional Drain: The weight of unresolved decisions and mental clutter leads to stress and burnout.
The Western approach might be to try a new productivity app or read another business book. Ho’oponopono offers a different path: instead of adding more information, it focuses on deleting the mental and emotional data that is causing the blockage.
Ho’oponopono Explained: It’s Simpler Than You Think
At its heart, modern Ho’oponopono is built on one powerful idea: taking 100% responsibility for everything in your reality .
This doesn’t mean you are to blame for everything that goes wrong. Instead, it means you accept that the only thing you can truly control is your inner world—your thoughts, memories, and reactions. By taking responsibility for cleansing your own internal "data," you can change how you experience and impact the external world .
The practice is done through four simple phrases. These are not magical spells, but tools to express remorse, forgiveness, gratitude, and love to cleanse your subconscious mind .
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I’m sorry: Acknowledge that you are responsible for the negative energies or memories within you, even if you don't know how they got there .
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Please forgive me: Ask life, the divine, or your own higher consciousness to cleanse these memories and release the negativity .
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Thank you: Express gratitude for the healing that is already happening. This shows faith in the process .
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I love you: Send love to the situation and to yourself. Love is the most healing frequency and helps reconnect you with your inner peace .
How This Practice Directly Fights Overthinking and Decision Fatigue
You might wonder how saying four phrases can solve complex business problems. The connection becomes clear when you understand how Ho’oponopono works on your mind.
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It Clears Your Mental Cache: Think of your subconscious mind as a computer hard drive cluttered with old files—past failures, fears, and limiting beliefs. This "gunk" gets in the way of clear, inspired thinking . Ho’oponopono is like a cleaning program that deletes these files, freeing up mental RAM. With a clearer mind, you can make decisions without the noise of past data.
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It Shifts You from Memory to Inspiration: The practice teaches that we live from one of two places: memory (replaying old data) or inspiration (receiving new, divine ideas) . Overthinking is the state of being stuck in "memory." By cleaning this data, you make room for "inspiration"—those clear, intuitive insights that are so valuable for leadership.
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It Breaks the Cycle of Perfectionism: The story of Jack, who believed "imperfect action is better than perfect inaction," highlights the power of starting . Ho’oponopono encourages a similar release. You don't need to have everything figured out before you act. You just need to clear the internal blocks that are stopping you from taking the first step.
Your Simple Guide to Practicing Ho’oponopono Today
You don’t need a special course or certification to start. You can begin right now with this simple process .
Step 1: Find a Quiet Moment
Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Just relax.
Step 2: Identify the Problem
Bring to mind a specific situation causing you stress. It could be a difficult decision, a conflict with a co-founder, or the general feeling of being overwhelmed. Don’t dwell on the details or who is to blame. Just identify the feeling.
Step 3: Apply the Four Phrases
Silently or aloud, repeat the four phrases to yourself. You can say them in any order, but the classic sequence is:
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you."
You are not necessarily saying this to another person. You are saying it to the divine, to life, or to the negative energy itself, as a way of cleaning it . Repeat the phrases as many times as you feel necessary, until you feel a sense of release or calm.
Step 4: Let Go and Trust
Visualize the problem being washed away in a cleansing light. Release your attachment to how the solution should look. Trust that by cleaning your internal space, you are allowing for a better outcome to emerge .
A Founder's Adaptation: Going Deeper with "Conversational Ho'oponopono"
For times when you face a major block, you can use a more detailed version. Sometimes called "Conversational Ho'oponopono," this method involves explaining your reasons for each phrase .
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Take 100% Responsibility: Start by stating, "I am taking 100% responsibility for whatever I am feeling about this situation."
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Say "I'm Sorry" and give three reasons. For example: "I'm sorry for the stress I feel about this funding decision. I'm sorry for the fear of failure it brings up. I'm sorry for the doubt I have in my own abilities."
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Say "Please Forgive Me" and give three reasons. "Please forgive me for holding onto this stress. Please forgive me for not trusting the process. Please forgive me for my stubbornness."
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Say "Thank You" and give three reasons. "Thank you for this challenge that helps me grow. Thank you for the lessons I am learning. Thank you for already bringing a solution."
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Say "I Love You" and give three reasons. "I love you for the strength in me. I love you for the clarity that is coming. I love you for this healing."
This structured conversation can help you connect more deeply with the emotions behind your mental blocks.
Comparison: Traditional Ho’oponopono vs. A Founder's Application
The core of Ho’oponopono remains the same, but its application can be tailored to your unique challenges. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Aspect | Traditional Practice | Founder's Application |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Family/Community gathering | Solo meditation, before meetings, during work breaks |
| Goal | Heal relationships, restore social harmony | Clear mental clutter, end overthinking, enable decisive action |
| Problem Focus | Interpersonal conflicts | Internal conflicts, decision fatigue, fear of failure |
| The "Error" | A transgression against another person | Negative memories & beliefs blocking progress and inspiration |
Making It a Daily Habit for Continuous Clarity
Consistency is key. You don't just take a shower once; you do it daily to stay clean. Think of Ho’oponopono the same way . Here’s how to make it part of your routine:
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Morning Reset: Practice for 5 minutes in the morning to set a clear tone for your day .
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In-the-Moment Tool: Use the phrases silently whenever you feel triggered—after a tough meeting, when you read a stressful email, or when you feel stuck on a problem .
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Evening Review: Briefly practice before bed to cleanse the day's accumulated stress.
Conclusion: From Overwhelmed to Over-Inspired
The journey from being an overthinking founder to a clear-minded leader is not about adding another complex strategy to your already full plate. It is about subtraction. Ho’oponopono offers a profound yet simple way to subtract the mental and emotional baggage that weighs you down.
By taking 100% responsibility for your inner world and consistently using these four simple phrases, you can clean the slate. You can move from a state of "analysis paralysis" to a state of inspired action. You can replace the fatigue of endless decision-making with the clarity of knowing what to do next.
Start small. Start today. The next time you feel stuck, instead of trying to think harder, try this: close your eyes, put your hand on your heart, and just say, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you." Your clear, focused, and reset mind will thank you for it.
🌸 About Neeti Keswani
Neeti Keswani is the founder of Plush Ink and host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, where luxury meets spirituality. As an author, storyteller, and self-improvement coach, she helps conscious creators and professionals align with purpose, identity, and abundance through mindset transformation and emotional healing.
Her mission is to empower people to live with intention, authenticity, and joy — blending inner work with outer success.
Connect with Neeti:
🎙️ Luxury Unplugged Podcast — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/luxury-unplugged-podcast-where-luxury-meets-spirituality/id1551277118
📖 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/keswanineeti/
💼 LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetikeswani/
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