If you are considering becoming an entrepreneur, at some point you may have felt fear, insecurity or pressure to succeed and build a sustainable venture.
It is fairly common to experience anxiety, distress or even paralysis when considering starting a business.
Why? Because IT IS a big deal.
Starting your first business will entail a new set of responsibilities and expectations that will require you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown.
Uncertainty is one factor we, as human beings, are not accustomed to.
In my leadership trainings and client sessions, the word "fear" is commonly used to describe why various female leaders postpone launching their projects "until next year" or "when the world economy is better".
It is also the reason why some register their business idea but quickly "lose motivation" to follow through because products, services or programs are taking longer to be bought and the financial clock begins ticking.
Though the fear of launching a business is real for the majority of new entrepreneurs, today I want to invite you to explore what lies underneath it.
Rarely, this fear is only about the business and actually it is more about the mindset, context and circumstances first time founders have.
Recognizing that each person is different and will have their own unique entrepreneurship journey, factors that may influence or trigger a sense of threat or insecurity around a startup are: the Imposter Syndrome, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, low self-confidence, lack of business administration education, lack of funds or financial resources, lack of family or community support, fear of losing time, money or energy, fear of commitment and/or fear of getting into debt, among others.
As you can see, the list can go on to include many psychological, behavioral and social causes.
Though lack of money is often referred to as the number 1 reason why people do not launch a business, actually it is a secondary element to the mindset and vision that they have about their own selves and their business.
Creating and leading a new startup entails a personal development as well as a business development processes.
Your venture will help you grow exponentially and it can definitely help you achieve economic empowerment and independence.
The question now could be "How to overcome the fear of starting a business?"
But... is it the right question to ask?
My invitation for you today is to start considering what lies beneath your fear of starting a business, what is at the core of your paralysis, rejection or insecurities towards building something of your own.
If you are ready to get deeper, here are a list of questions that can help you in this reflection process:
- What do you *feel* when you think of starting a business? Do you feel joy, excitement? Do you feel frustrated, helpless or scared? If so, why? What is the origin of this feeling?
- Were you raised in families or communities where entrepreneurship was encouraged or discouraged? Did any of your family members launch a business? Is or was that person successful? Did any of that person's experiences affect your view or your family's view of owning a business?
- How would you describe your relationship with "change"? Do you adapt to changes easily or it takes you longer to prepare? Do you like to plan everything ahead or are you more content with "going with the flow"?
- What makes you feel insecure about building your own business?
- Which beliefs, experiences or environments from your past and present support these insecurities?
- Do you want to change them?
- If so, how can you start today? Which first step can you easily take today to experience something different?
- How do you want to feel? Why?
Take these questions with you and remember:
The only way to overcome the fear of starting a business is by facing it.
You can do it, have faith and courage in your own story and capabilities as you embrace change.
Are you taking steps already to launch your business? What has helped you?
Share below your tips in the comment section.
Talk soon,
Natalia
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