Linking Existential and Spiritual Aspects to Entrepreneurial Mindset

Abstract

Contemporary research links entrepreneurial mindset (EM) with various traits, cognitive processes, and emotional states but provides limited psychological depth regarding mental health, existential anxiety, and critical existential thinking. These domains signify some of the most promising and still inadequately explored psychological aspects of the entrepreneurial mindset. Existential and spiritual aspects (ESA) are found to be missing in the majority of scholarly work on EM. Existential considerations—such as meaning, authenticity, identity, spirituality, and comfort with uncertainty—subtly underpin the entrepreneurial mindset. At its core, beneath the myriads of definitions, the essence of the entrepreneurial mindset is anchored in deep beliefs, a highly malleable opportunity-oriented cognition, and an emotionally driven propensity to act and learn amidst uncertainty. Proximity to one’s “core self” within the entrepreneurial domain appears to correlate with a more defined entrepreneurial identity and more sustainable intentions, as well as a mindset that is both opportunistically inclined and consistent with personal values. Numerous psychologically nuanced aspects remain inadequately explored or addressed only at a superficial level. This research is aiming to propose a holistic model of EM with deeper investigation of ESA, which will help future researchers to navigate the roots of EM.