Overcoming fear of running your own business

About to jump

It's normal to experience fear of running your own business before starting up. Even those with a strong desire to do their own thing feel this fear, and need to overcome it to move forwards.

It is undoubtedly a common emotion but unless you deal with it, it will hold you back indefinitely.

Have you dreamt of running your own business but found fear getting in the way of your success?

Chances are it has, because most of us are terrified of failing! We've been taught since birth that winning is good and failing is bad.

Well, what makes this true? Consider that the only true failure is not playing the game. By not playing, you continually avoid failure, but you neither lose nor win.

Fear is normal. Fear is a sign that you are growing and developing. Developing as a person involves getting outside your comfort zone. Moving outside your comfort zone usually creates some sense of fear. Fear is not the problem …the problem is how we respond to our fear.

Fear feeds on the unknown. If starting your own business creates fear for you, you can combat this by doing your homework. The more you know the less there is to fear!

Specifically, you could:

Start learning about how to run a business: take a course, read some business books, talk to other successful business owners.
Do your market research – you might have a great idea but have you researched its viability?
Develop a business and marketing plan. Get help with this if you are not confident in creating them.
Ask yourself questions like: what are the things you are worried about? What strategies can you create to prevent these outcomes?
All business carries a level of risk. Get real about the risks your business idea has and start making plans to minimise them.

While I encourage you to learn as much as you can to ensure your business idea has the ability to succeed, the one thing you must do to succeed is take action.

After all, it doesn’t matter how much you know or how much you learn – if you are not “doing” it, it won’t make any difference at all.

Action is the single thing that will bring about results in your life. You can have a great idea, but ideas without action are worthless. You can have the best and most well thought-out plan in the world, but if you do not implement it, the plan is not worth the paper it is written on.

Taking action is the only thing that will get you closer to your goals.Action creates the momentum that is necessary to make things happen.

In my next article, I will examine some of the common fears associated with new businesses and show you ways how to overcome them.

Linda Anderson is a Certified Professional Coach dedicated to helping people live bold and rewarding lives. Linda has an energetic and direct style of coaching which suits people who like to be challenged.

14 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 | Next» View all»

I don't think fear abates even if you have run your business for 20 years ... there is always a level of unknown ... "was that client happy? will they come back? will they refer me on?
You just have to 'action "moving on" ' and get on with it and have faith. And make sure that you are not emotionally attached to the outcome in order to go forward and keep trying.
Everyone makes mistakes; nobody is perfect .
When I think back all my years in soloism, I cringe at some of the things I have said and done. Others may not think the same way about me because we are our own worst critics. But I have kept on trying regardless. And that's what tenacity is. Just believe in the future and take hold of it and keep trying to do your best. Karen C from Springwood NSW
Especially liked this bit:
>>After all, it doesn’t matter how much you know or how much you learn – if you are not “doing” it, it won’t make any difference at all.
Thanks for the reality check reminder! :) jennifer - creatingfromscratch from London, England
Experiencing fear is absolutely normal ... the ability to take action regardless is essential.
If fear is stopping you taking action then it is a good thing to focus on.
I will be sharing some strategies in my next article :) Linda Anderson from Sydney | Read my articles
Hi Linda, what a spot-on article! I have completed writing a business book sharing my 30 years of experience - I started 4 years ago but actually did nothing practical due to a fear that nobody would be interested but finally got serious 12 months ago. I'm confident that when I launch it soon, it will be a winner thanks to me spending a lot of time doing various forms of market research and attending courses, in addition to me working hard to promote it. As you've said, the same goes for business - fear can only be beaten through knowledge and action! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
Great article, Linda. I could also relate to Karen's comment on fearing if the client's happy (even after running your business for 20 years). I find the worrying stops (or abates, at least...) when I get focused and stay active. Looking forward to the next article! Megan Hills from Brisbane | Read my articles
There's fear in every course of action. Consider someone who has "secure" employment. The fears there would be: Will I have a job next year? When is the next round of redundancies? Will my industry exist next year?... When you are running your own business, you take control over these fears. You are in charge of your life. And that is a great empowering feeling. Zern Liew from eicolab.com.au | Read my articles

14 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 | Next» View all»

Add Your comments

Preview comment

Name

Website *

Town / city and country

Email (never sold, displayed or given away)

* This will link your name to your site. So please avoid self promotion elsewhere! We delete spam, disrespectful or off-topic comments.