Entrepreneurial Anxiety: The Internal Thoughts We All Have But Don’t Want Anyone to Hear
Hey there fellow entrepreneur!
If you're anything like me, you know the struggle of dealing with internal thoughts that hold us back. In this blog, we'll explore the link between anxiety and fear of failure in women online entrepreneurs and learn how to overcome them.
Getting Through The Thoughts That Hold Us Back
Look, I get it –– we’re online entrepreneurs –– and we all have internal thoughts that we hope no one ever hears. These thoughts can be both numbing and paralyzing at the same time. They can cause us to procrastinate and prevent us from taking fearless action, leaving us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. But fear not, my fellow entrepreneurs! Let's get through these thoughts and put some of these valuable tips to use and overcome them.
Anxiety and its link to fear of failure
Why do women online entrepreneurs experience a fear of failure? Of course, we often face massive amounts of pressure to succeed in business, provide for our families, and ensure our team members (if we have any) are happy in their roles and compensated fairly. We are inclined to fear failure, whether it’s for one reason or sometimes it’s a ceiling-high pile of reasons.
You know it and I know it - the role of a woman, by societal standards, has been to be the “caretaker” for YEARS.
This is why our anxiety in particular can be linked to our fear of failure. Sure, as entrepreneurs, we take risks and put ourselves out there, which can be terrifying. We fear that our ideas won't succeed, that we'll lose money, or that people will judge us. These fears can lead to anxiety, which can be detrimental to our business and personal lives.
Let's dive into the internal thoughts we all have but don't want anyone to hear:
Thought #1: "What if nobody likes my idea?"
We've all had that moment where we're so excited about an idea, but then the fear sets in.
“What if I share my idea and nobody likes it or worse they criticize me?”...
"What if nobody likes it (or me)? …
What if I'm wasting my time?"
Whether it’s an Instagram post, a TikTok video, or a YouTube video we fear people not commenting as much as we fear they will negatively comment.
These thoughts can cause us to second-guess ourselves and prevent us from taking action. But the truth is, not everyone is going to like our ideas, and that's okay. It's critical to remember that not everyone is our target audience, and that's okay too.
Tip #1: Shut anxiety up by focusing on your target audience
Instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks, focus on your target audience. Think about their needs and how your idea can benefit them. When you focus on serving your audience, you'll gain confidence in your idea and feel more inspired to take action. Who cares what everyone else thinks? They aren’t your target audience!!! So, you can tell “Aunt Sally” to mind her own beeswax. You got some honey to make!
Thought #2: "I'm not good enough"
Ooooh this is a biggie (and my personal challenge)
This fear can underlie so many decisions we make in our businesses - it can come from childhood trauma or be developed along the way - but many women have this fear in some form or another. Now, how deeply it affects us depends on how deeply it's ingrained in our subconscious. It is often at the core of our actions or inactions.
But the reality is, this fear (aka Imposter syndrome) is real, and it can be a significant source of anxiety for entrepreneurs. We fear that we're not good enough and that we don't have the skills or knowledge to succeed. When really, we're all learning as we go, and we don't have to be perfect to succeed. In fact, “perfect” doesn’t relate to anyone - it’s actually a deterrent.
Tip #2: Unparalyze yourself by patting yourself on the back about your skills and accomplishments
Instead of focusing on what you don't know or haven't accomplished, focus on what you do know and what you have accomplished. Write down your skills and accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. When you acknowledge your strengths, you'll gain confidence in yourself and your ability to succeed.
Thought #3: "What if I fail?"
Ah, the fear of failure. It's the ultimate source of anxiety for entrepreneurs. We fear that we'll fail, and that failure will define us. But the truth is, failure is a part of the process, and it doesn't define us. It's essential to remember that failure is a learning opportunity. There's no such thing as failure - only a series of opportunities to learn.
Tip #3: Take fearless action anyway
Instead of letting the fear of failure hold you back, take action anyway. This doesn't have to be massive anxiety-producing action. Take small steps toward your goal, just keep moving forward. Show your brain that you're going to keep going and don't be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of the process, and it's how we learn and grow. When you take action, you'll gain momentum and build confidence in yourself.
Takeaway
See, as online entrepreneurs, we all have internal thoughts that we want nobody to hear. These thoughts can be terrifying and paralyzing, but they don't have to hold us back. By focusing on our target audience, acknowledging our skills and accomplishments, and taking fearless action, we can shut anxiety up, unparalyze ourselves, and achieve our goals.
So, that brings me to the next set of questions…
Are you tired of feeling stuck, frozen, and paralyzed in your online business? Are you ready to reclaim control without burning it all to the ground or losing yourself in the process?
Then let's chat! I can help you - especially if you’re ready to dig in, get support, and invest in your business + future (without burnout).