HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

Let’s talk about one of the biggest obstacles that entrepreneurs face: 

FEAR 

Fear can hold us back from reaching our full potential and achieving our dreams, but it doesn’t have to. In this blog post, I will share some strategies for identifying and overcoming your business fears! 

Before we get into the strategies, let’s talk about WHY it’s essential to face your fears. When we avoid or ignore our fears, they tend to grow bigger and more powerful. But when we face them head-on, we take away their power.

Facing your fears also helps you build confidence and resilience, which are essential for success as an entrepreneur.

RELATED:  10 Success Affirmations Every Female Entrepreneur Needs

So, how do you identify your business fears? Here are a few common fears that entrepreneurs face:

FEAR OF FAILURE: This is one of the most common fears that entrepreneurs face. We’re afraid that if we try something and fail, it will be a reflection of our worth and value as a person.

FEAR OF SUCCESS: Yes, you read that right. Some of us are afraid of success because it means stepping outside of our comfort zone and taking on more responsibility or doing things that make us feel uncomfortable.

FEAR OF REJECTION: We all want to be liked and accepted, but when it comes to our businesses, rejection can be a hard pill to swallow.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN: As entrepreneurs, we’re often stepping into uncharted territory, and that can be scary.

FEAR OF NOT BEING GOOD ENOUGH: Imposter syndrome is real, and many entrepreneurs struggle with feeling like they’re not good enough to succeed.

Now that you know some of the common fears that entrepreneurs face, it’s time to identify your own fears.

Take some time to reflect on what’s holding you back. What are you afraid of? Write it down and get specific. 

Is it: 

  • Launching a new product 
  • Pitching to investors 
  • Posting on social media 
  • Failing to meet a revenue goal 
  • Going to a networking event

Once you’ve identified your fears, it’s time to start overcoming them. Here are some strategies that can help:

Get comfortable with discomfort

If you want to grow your business and stay competitive, you need to be comfortable with discomfort. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. Yes, it can be uncomfortable, but that’s how you can stay ahead of the competition. The more you expose yourself to different situations and experiences, the more you can learn and expand your skills. 

Try to make it a habit to challenge yourself, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. Look for opportunities to learn something new and take on new responsibilities. You could attend a conference, read a book about a new industry trend, join a professional organization, or even try a new marketing strategy. Each time you take on a challenge, it will help expand your knowledge and skills and help you stay competitive. 

Your comfort zone is a great place to feel safe, but it’s not where growth and development happen. Don’t be afraid to push yourself and embrace the discomfort that comes with change. If you do, you’ll be surprised at how much your business can grow.

Reframe your mindset

Fear is often a sign of growth and progress. This is where the phrase ‘growing pains’ comes from. Instead of seeing fear as a negative thing, try and reframe it as an opportunity to take risks and push yourself beyond your comfort zone. 

As a business owner, this could mean: 

  • Launching that new product 
  • Trying a new marketing strategy 
  • Taking a leap of faith and trying something completely new

Remember that failure is just a part of the journey and doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for business. Learn from the experience and use it as data to inform your future decisions. 

The universe is always conspiring to support your growth. When you are feeling fear, use it as a chance to stretch yourself, learn and grow. Take a risk and trust that the universe will help you along the way!

Take smaller steps

Instead of trying to conquer your fears all at once, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This will help you build confidence and momentum. 

It’s important to take one step at a time. Start small and tackle each fear one at a time. Celebrate each victory, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you stumble. It’s all part of the process. By taking it one step at a time, you’ll eventually get to the other side of your fears, and be able to focus on achieving your business goals.

SEEK SUPPORT

You don’t have to face your fears alone. Seek support from your friends, family, or a friendly business coach (hint hint 😉) who can help you work through your fears and build your confidence. 

By doing this, you gain clarity and build confidence in yourself and your capabilities. Especially if you surround yourself with positive and encouraging people that can help you tap into the power of positive thinking to keep you motivated to achieve your goals. 

With the support of the right people, you will gain the confidence and clarity to make your dreams a reality.

Celebrate each victory, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you stumble. It’s all part of the process. 

VISUALISE SUCCESS

Visualisation is an incredibly powerful tool to help you overcome your fears and create a positive mindset that will propel you to success. 

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax. Visualise yourself achieving success in your business. See yourself achieving your goals and dreams with ease. Notice how good it feels to be successful. Feel the joy and pride in your heart as you experience this success.

Now think about how you got there. What did you do to create this success? What strategies, habits, and behaviours did you implement? Visualise yourself taking consistent action and making smart decisions. See yourself trusting the process and knowing that success is inevitable.

TAKE ACTION

For any business owner who is feeling fearful, remember: It’s only when you take action that you can truly overcome your fears. Even if it feels scary, take small, consistent steps towards your goals. 

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear” – George Addair

Taking action will help you build confidence and courage, and you’ll be on your way to achieving your goals in no time. When you focus on taking action, you’ll start to see the opportunities that come with taking those steps. You’ll be able to create your own luck, so don’t be scared to take that first step. 

Remember, fear is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. But it doesn’t have to hold you back. By identifying your fears, reframing your mindset, taking small steps, seeking support, visualising success and taking action, you’ll start to see real tangible results in your business!