A Word of Encouragement to the Solo- and Entrepreneur on International Women’s Day
Like anything new, the first months of launching a new business are exciting; however, at some point, there is also a time when anxiety and self-doubt can creep in, sometimes unexpectedly.
After the excitement of launching a new website, writing a few blog posts and kicking off with new clients, those feelings of self-doubt can begin to bubble up. We ask ourselves questions like Can I really do this? Do I have what it takes? What if I can’t win enough business to stay afloat?
I assure you: You can.
“But, what if…” – those three words can make or break your will to succeed. “What if” questions, when asked positively, can help you think creatively through many challenges. But using that question to counter positive thoughts can quickly crumble your momentum and stop you in your tracks if you let it.
Some may call asking the “what ifs” contingency planning. As a PR pro, it’s my job to have a backup plan to the backup plan – an ultra-realistic perspective on what could go wrong. Contingency plans are well and good when kept in their proper place. Conjuring up uncertainty and doubt is not that place.
So, what to do to overcome the anxiety that may accompany a new endeavor? Here are things I do, and I'd love to hear what works for you!
Friends and family. It’s no surprise that we are often our own worst critics. We think up all kinds of worst-case scenarios we may misinterpret as real threats when they likely are not. Worry is wasted energy. It’s important to let those we are closest to help us work through it. Pick a friend or two who know you well and whom you deeply trust. Let them know how you’re feeling, and let them help you find healthy action steps.
Podcasts and books. Listening to or reading something inspirational boosts my mood, especially when hearing from others who’ve had similar experiences. Two podcasts that bubble to the top of my current favorites include Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing (try episodes 113, 164) and The Career Contessa Podcast. The Career Contessa website is chockful of resources and information for female professionals.
Books on business and leadership can inspire!
Hire a coach. Think of a career coach as an unbiased third party who can be more direct with you than a close friend or relative. They are professionals who can work through thoughtful questions, and they challenge their clients to think and go big, guiding them to take the next right step to career happiness and success.
Keep a journal. I keep several journals to document all sorts of things – gratitude, goals, tasks I need to do, books I want to read, highlights from my day, and even one for prayer. Take time each day to write things down. Your thoughts, feelings, fears. Clear your mind and seek solutions to repetitive thought patterns that keep you from working at your highest and best level.
