How to overcome that one thing stopping you from being successful.

Fear. For the most part, defined as the anticipation of danger and, as I'm sure you can imagine given that running a business is one of the most high-risk, stressful and unpredictable things a person could come up against, is a feeling no entrepreneur is a stranger to feeling it to some degree.

So when I stumbled upon this article by Entrepreneur last year, I wasn't surprised they had covered it. What I was surprised by, however, is the depths of fear a business owner goes through and more surprisingly, how conquering it is a key ingredient for success. 

Fast-forward to the present and it seems fear is a reoccurring topic in almost every client strategy call I have been on of late. Which makes sense. The last couple of years hasn't exactly been a pleasant stroll through “Relaxation Boulevard”. Whenever a topic repeats in a pattern I find that more often and not, it is the Universe trying to tell me something and so, here I find myself, sharing my thoughts on fear and entrepreneurship with you. 

The reality is that you will face fear in your lifetime, no matter your personality type, star sign, poker face or anything else. Fear is an escapable aspect of the human experience. It’s inevitable. 

Fear can be a positive and sometimes necessary motivator. A Kickstarter for taking action. Or, depending on the situation, can cause a debilitating state of paralysis in which action becomes a forgotten word replaced with doing sweet f*** all. 

At its core, we react to fear in ways that keep us safe and uncomfortable. Fear challenges us to make quick in-the-moment decisions. Our mind is a powerful object, it rationalises all emotions and all categories relevant to each moment. This means that even when our mind thrives on a carousel of excitement for a business venture, our brain often releases unexpected rationale and negativity. In summary, it creates fear and that joyful carousel ride grinds dramatically to a halt. 

But the inherent part of perspective is that is entirely subjective. We hold onto the basis that our perspective is important because we rely on our instincts for survival. Unfortunately, this means we often confuse choice for instinct and let the latter guide our action instead, or more accurately, lack thereof.

To achieve success, it is imperative you practice self-awareness and realize that the basis of what is driving your fear is the chance of failure. Therefore, to surpass the fear and achieve success is actually very simple. Reframe your perspective of failure and you no longer feel fear. Realize that contrary to popular belief, failure is important. Failure is not a mistake but a lesson. A lesson that creates an opportunity for the most necessary aspect of any entrepreneur's success… 

Failure = Lesson = Growth. 

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Prepare For Your Success

No goals and no plan, no success!

Fear of failure is increased when you don’t properly prepare for success. Sounds backwards but actually, it’s extremely logical. Fear is a by-product of lacking confidence or being unsure. Be that in your business plan, roadmap or even product or service. Fear is born from a purely curated action plan, which doesn't guide you to take action with confidence. Have you created a strategy for the journey?

What is your business plan? 

What are your competitors doing differently? 

Is being on Tiktok really what your business needs right now or are you simply following a trend?

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” —Pablo Picasso

You need to have done research on your product-market fit and understand the nature of the clients you want to target. 

For example, If you are trying to sell organic soaps to a stay-at-home mum, you must understand what they look for in a product. Is it the ingredients? Is it the production? Is the fact that is vegan? 

Knowledge is power when it comes to a good business plan. 

Start by setting business goals. Monthly, quarterly, biannually and annually and actively looking back on them to evaluate your progress. 

Without self-evaluation, your fear will kick in and you still stop moving forward. When you self-evaluate, you will find that you are accomplishing more than you think and it will help keep you motivated to keep going.

Changing Your Attitude

This one is a toughie. I have to work on this every day to release knowledge that is no longer serving me and my insecurities. Even the most successful people have to consistently work on changing their attitude to gain success. It is a never-ending part of the deal. 

Start by asking yourself: 

“Why am I scared to start or change my business? What is it that is TRULY driving this fear?”

Often you’ll find a variation of the following as your answer. 

When we look at failure, we look at it as we are a ‘loser’ or looked down upon if it doesn’t work. We fear judgement or criticism from external sources. Who doesn't fear being perceived negatively by those they hold dear? Again, this fear of failure is what holds you back. Your negative associations of what failure represents are what stop you from trying at all. 

You cannot achieve success unless you actively instigate an attitude shift towards failure. Failure does not change your personality nor does it make you a bad person. Failure is seen as negative as it affects your actions and emotions, but it’s not negative if you are looking for success. Success occurs as a direct result of “failing forward”.

The Meaning Of Failing Forward

Failing forward means that a person embraces failing as a stepping stone for their future successes. To fail forward means that you have chosen to value every failure for the lessons learned and then apply those lessons in future efforts, even if those efforts might also result in failure. When you are failing forward, each failure moves you closer to ultimate success.

Failure will be uncomfortable and unpleasant, yes, but it is an opportunity to extend beyond our usual limits and of great value. 

As George Addair said, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

Don’t let your fear of failure influence your choices in starting or running your business. Fear is an inescapable enemy, but changing your perspective of it is all that is necessary to make it your best friend. 

Ready to master your fear?

Remember to check out my learn page to see if any of these courses can work for you or book a one on one session with me and let's make 2022 your best year yet!