Today’s post is going to be about something I know too well and that is the things that hold us back from starting our own business: FEAR.
I can’t tell you how many years I have dreamed of owning my
own business where I am able to create a product or service used by hundreds
and thousands of people.
When I was about six years old living in the Bronx, NY
I wasn’t really allowed to hang out around the neighborhood because it wasn’t
the safest place for young kids so I just hung out in our fenced-in yard. I was
sometimes allowed to go to the corner store to get candy and snacks if I had
the money for it. In order to get money for the goodies, I would sell my happy
meal toys or even rocks I’d find around my house to neighbors for a whopping
fifty cents each.
Looking back on my life, I realized that the younger you are the more creative
you are in finding ways to make money because you operate from a place of
scarcity. It also helps to have more energy and that’s all we have when we are
younger.
The older I’ve gotten, the more apprehensive I am about every idea
that I think of because I no longer operate from a place of scarcity. It’s more
like, “That business idea could be cool but would it be worth it?” Annnnnd
there goes that idea. Down the drain. Gone. Poof. Vamoose. However, there are a
few more reasons as to why people fail to just start something and I have
probably experienced every fear.
Below are some examples of some that have crippled me in the past (and
still do).
1. Fear of Failure
Probably the most obvious fear but the most powerful one
that holds most people back. No one wants to fail, it isn’t fun. We are taught
to always aim for success and that failing is never an option. For example, you
weren’t allowed to fail in school because if you did you would get held back. Failing
felt really awful and embarrassing but in real life it’s seen as a lesson. It’s
an obstacle that enables you to reconsider your approach. Failing is inevitable,
regardless of what you decide to do in life. You will experience some pitfalls
that will require you to try again, over and over again. We will all suck at something
at some point in our lives. So just learn to embrace it.
2. Fear of Rejection
Have you ever thought of an amazing idea in the shower that
you just had to share with a loved one because it’s just SO good? To only find
out from them that the idea probably sounded better in your head… yeah that
feeling stinks. I’ve had soo many ideas that I have shared with other people
just to have them shot down, it can get VERY discouraging. However,
I have noticed that if you have something that’s good that you TRULY believe in, you have to keep believing in it and keep feeding it because regardless of what
some people think, there are THOUSANDS of other people who will love and
support your idea/creation. So, GO FOR IT!! Even if some people think that it
sucks.... because SOMEONE will love it J
3. Fear of The Unknown
Starting a business is risky, you don’t actually know if it
will be successful and yet so many people do it anyway. Having faith when starting
a business is crucial, you have to believe that your hard work will eventually
pay off even if it takes years. The unknown can be scary, you don’t know what’s
on the other side. Could be success, could be failure but you’ll never know
unless you jump right into it.
Deciding to work for yourself will be a journey, it won’t
always be nice cars and exotic travel destinations. It’s going to challenge the
crap out of you! You will experience sleepless nights, doubts, sadness, and
loneliness but nothing worth it comes easy my friend. So let’s face our fears
and create something amazing. I believe in you!
Below are some books that have helped me along my journey:
1. Rich Dad Poor Dad
2. Think and Grow Rich
3. Start with Why
4. Tools of Titans
5. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World
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