Self-doubt is something all entrepreneurs fight from time to time.
Some more than others.
I can say from experience that it tends to be more present in the beginning stages of your entrepreneurial endeavors.
However, these feelings always find a way back.
No one is immune to them; we just get better at overcoming them.
Welcome to Franknez.com – the blog that provides you with content on stocks, crypto, and entrepreneurship. Today we’re discussing that little voice in our heads that says we’re not good enough.
Let’s get started!
A Little Bit of Background
My first startup failed, and so did my second one.
The third one survived but wasn’t scalable and I’ve since changed its business model.
But it’s my fourth and fifth startups that are really my babies today.
One of those startups is this blog.
It has had a lot of success though it didn’t happen overnight.
And the other startup is a hybrid online business in an industry I have been in for 6 years now, though I will be starting my third year in business in 2022.
Both these startups have very unique challenges.
And I know all too well what it feels like to have that voice in the back of your head question everything.
Self-doubt crushes people’s dreams and is one of the biggest reasons why most people never get started.
Here are some ways I’ve found myself overcoming the fears and self-doubts as an entrepreneur.
#1. Get Clear on What You Want and Don’t Want
Why are you an entrepreneur?
Perhaps you couldn’t work for someone anymore and you’ve understood your worth.
There are many reasons why entrepreneurs become entrepreneurs.
What’s helped me overcome self-doubt is thinking back on why I’m doing what I do.
When I think back to my ‘why’, I remember that swimming with the sharks is where I’m meant to be; despite how challenging it may be.
I find it’s extremely important to remember the type of lifestyle you’re working towards creating for yourself.
When you’re questioning your belief in yourself, remember about the things you don’t want in life.
Because the things that you do want in life, someone else has already accomplished them.
That vision you keep seeing, it’s a preview to your future and it’s possible.
#2. Practicing Affirmations
As entrepreneurs, sometimes we catch ourselves thinking negatively about ourselves due to the lack of results in the ‘now’.
That voice inside our heads beats us up into thinking we are not what we want to be.
However, you must understand that you are what you say you are.
And you also are what you think you are.
Practice writing affirmations down that align with your goals, desires, and ambitions.
Affirm what you are and affirm what you are to accomplish.
“The Secret” teaches us that we must speak, act, and feel as if we’ve already accomplished that of what we set to reach.
This shift in mindset elevates your vibration of energy so that it is parallel to that of which you seek.
Write down your affirmations and speak them into existence.
There are a number of great affirmation videos you can listen to on YouTube.
Make it a habit to practice affirming the life you want.
#3. Consume Content to Guard Against Self-Doubt
One thing I’ve always done to overcome self-doubt is to consume motiviational content.
Motivational content helps, but you shouldn’t depend on it.
Consume it when you feel like it will provide you with value in that specific time and moment.
Some of the best places I found my motivational content was on Instagram and on YouTube.
Follow accounts that publish motivational and positive content.
This content will remind you that we are all facing adversity but have the capabilities to attain all that we desire.
YouTube has been an incredible platform for this type of content as well.
There’s so much content on YouTube from Tony Robins, Gary Vaynerchuck, Grant Cardone, Steve Harvey, and others that will inspire you.
Listen to them while you’re on the road or while you’re working.
One thing you’ll learn is that even the most successful people on this planet have felt what you’ve felt and are currently feeling.
#4. Continuously Educate Yourself
This is where we’re truly separated from the rest as entrepreneurs.
It’s whether we decide to progress and learn or not.
I find that reading books and learning from mentors online keeps me grounded and knowledgeable.
It’s when I’ve educated myself that I feel confident in what I do.
As entrepreneurs, we don’t have the answers all the time.
It’s up to us to continuously find creative ways to solve problems.
There was a time where I didn’t want to self-promote because I simply didn’t feel ‘right‘ doing it.
After educating myself in marketing books, I discovered that self-promotion is simply showing your work.
Continuously educate yourself to overcome any sort of self-doubt that may be limiting you to being seen by the right people.
There’s a book or an online influencer for every insecurity you’re feeling about your growth in business.
Seek the help you need to tackle these weaknesses to prosper.
#5. Speaking Your Concerns Out Loud
Sometimes just talking out loud to yourself or your partner is a massive stress reliever.
I found that when I had self-doubts and I discussed them with my partner, it would help to simply just hear them.
If you have an amazing partner that supports you all the way then they will encourage you.
But if you don’t, write them down and say out loud what’s worrying you.
I find it’s better to let these anxieties out rather than keep them in.
This is the perfect time to turn to your affirmations to shift your mindset.
Rather than thinking about what can go wrong or what isn’t going your way, think what can go right and just how far can you really take things.
There would be evenings where I would express to my partner a concern and then I would end up finding a solution right then and there without her having said a word.
As crazy as it sounds, the therapeutic effects have allowed me to overcome self-doubt by finding solutions instead.
#6. Go Back to Your Vision Board
Our mind is constantly trying to self-sabotage itself.
And it’s primarily because of habits that have been embedded in our subconscious mind since the day we were born.
As an entrepreneur and as a growing person, it’s up to us as individuals to reprogram our mindset.
I find that I gain inspiration from working on my vision board.
If you don’t have a vision board yet you have to create one today!
Like as soon as you’re done reading this article.
Your vision board should excite you!
So, when you’re feeling doubt beginning to creep in, just remember what’s in store for you.
That vision board is real, you just have to progress enough times to get there.
#7. Practice Positive Mindset
This one is extremely important.
You have to be kind to yourself.
Be proud of who you are, who you were, and who you will be.
We cannot feed self-doubt, otherwise it will take us down.
Harnessing a positive mindset has helped me overcome anxieties, fears, and judging myself.
We’re hard on ourselves, I get that 100%.
But Gary Vee says we should not judge ourselves and he’s right.
Work on and improve sure, but not judge.
Talk to yourself and acknowledge how far you’ve come.
Acknowledge how great you are and how much greater you will be.
At some point you’ll have to give yourself credit if you are to easily overcome thoughts of self-doubt.
#8. Letting Go Spiritually
This one is quite intense.
Letting go spiritually has changed my mindset.
Upon studying the wealthy and successful, I’ve realized they all have one thing in common.
And it’s their belief of letting go and not resisting.
Many discuss shifting your mind to have faith and simply trust in the process.
Self-doubt gets destroyed when you accept that the universe has your back, and everything will work in your favor.
Every setback is a test from the unknown, observing you.
Testing you.
You must prove how bad you want things in life before they come to fruition.
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