How to Deal With Crippling Self Doubt When Starting a Business
…and stop stifling your dreams
…and stop stifling your dreams
Even the most successful people in the world have moments of self doubt.
One quick google search will unearth some super inspiring stories of celebrities, authors, entrepreneurs etc, all struggling with their own doubtful demons. (Hot tip, read story of how JK Rowling got started.)
Although self doubt feels uncomfortable, it’s actually a great sign that you’re looking to try something new and are moving beyond your comfort zone.
However, the clue is in the title. It’s going to get uncomfortable.
Brendon Burchard says;
“The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is if you are struggling, self-doubt is always stopping you. Successful people have the same doubt, but they are exploring it and they acknowledge it”
Is self doubt stopping you?
Here’s how to blast through your mental barriers;
1. Dig Deep to Understand
When you start to feel discomfort rising, don’t just push it down. Stop and recognise how you’re feeling.
Where is it coming from?
Fear of failure? Fear of success?
What evidence is backing up this doubt?
You’ll often find the stories you have running around your mind are baseless, and rooted in the uncertainties of the unknown.
Take this moment to dig deeper, understand your fears, and acknowledge the skills you might need to acquire to move forward.
Your doubt is not an enemy. It’s a clue. Listen to it.
2. Embrace the Beginner Mindset
The world is changing at an unprecedented rate.
I read somewhere that the gap between the new Gen A and my daughters Gen X, is going to be akin to our generation (Gen Z & above), chatting with our great grandparents!
Unless you’re willing to get comfortable with constantly learning new stuff, you’re going to be feeling uncomfortable a lot!
However, this is a great thing.
This means we’re all just trying to figure stuff out as we go and no-one is truly an expert at anything.
So feel free to run riot with your thoughts and opinions!
3. Get Skills
Three years ago when starting my website, I attended an SEO conference in Chiang Mai.
They may as well have been speaking Chinese. I was overwhelmed and more than a little uncomfortable.
I made a commitment to immerse myself in SEO and 3 years later I have a site generating over 100k visits a month in organic traffic at an average of $0.10/visit.
Self doubt often creeps in when we feel out of our depth.
So get current. Identify the gaps in your knowledge and fill them.
Webinars, online courses, youtube vids, podcasts — there are countless resources at your fingertips.
Choose your area of focus and immerse yourself in it.
4. Shift Your Focus
Self doubt comes when we’re focused on our shortcomings.
Shift your focus from yourself to your audience or your purpose.
What problem are you solving? Who are you helping? How can you add maximum value and make someone else’s day?
Take the spotlight off of you and point it at someone or something else. Not only is this a great confidence hack, it’s what being an entrepreneur is all about.
5. Find the Easiest Way to Take Action
We often feel self doubt when we compare our beginning to others far more established journey’s.
Instead of looking so far down the line, what are the easiest next steps you can take to start your journey?
What do you need to do every day to allow time to compound and momentum to take hold?
You don’t know what you don’t know yet, and only action will teach you what you need to know, so what is the next action you need to take?
6. The Gap and the Gain
In their book “The Gap and The Gain,” Benjamin Hardy & Dan Sullivan talk about being stuck in ‘The Gap’ — the difference between where we are now and where we aim to be.
If we’re constantly focused on how far we have to go, we run the risk of always feeling self-doubt, dissatisfaction, and stress.
If however we give some mental space to ‘The Gain’ — the difference between where we started and how far we’ve come, this can fuel motivation, boost confidence, and reduce self-doubt.
No matter where you are in your journey, take some time to reflect on, and celebrate, how far you’ve already come. Give yourself some credit.
7. Surround Yourself with Awesomeness
Lastly, at the risk of sounding twee, one the best mental health hacks available to us today, is to surround yourself with awesomeness.
Find on or offline communities of like minded people.
Curate your social feeds to only show empowering or useful messages.
Block negativity, unfriend dementors (people who suck the life out of you for non Harry Potter fans), and spend less time with family members who bring you down.
Give yourself the best chance of achieving your goals by fueling your mind and life with the right information.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said (although I’ve reordered it for effect)
Small minds discuss people
Average minds discuss events
Great minds discuss ideas
Self doubt is natural. It’s part of the process. It’s the universe asking you, “How bad do you want it?”
Answer with action.