Of the top 6 reasons why you haven’t yet started your own business, here is #4.
“I’m afraid of how it might change my life.”
Yes, almost all of us are afraid of change. In fact most of the time we are so afraid change that we cannot allow ourselves to explore other possibilities. We’re afraid to see around the next corner and it is paralyzing! So we stay stuck in our current situation even if we’re miserable! And more often than naught, we suppress the need to be truly honest with ourselves about the cost of that fear. That cost, of course, is losing the opportunity to live our dream.
If you really stop to consider the toll of staying in your current situation or neglecting to scratch your entrepreneurial itch, you could probably chase away that fear lickity-split! We rationalize our hesitation with logical reasons such as bad timing, lack of funds, or excuses that may or may not even be relevant (like, “I don’t have the right equipment” or “It’s a bad time”). But if you take a different point of view and be willing to envision what that life might look like down the road and around the curve, you’ll also get a better idea of what your fear is costing you.
Business ownership is hard work. And most entrepreneurs will tell you that they wouldn’t work any other way. Alex Bradberry, founder/owner of The Sparkle Bar, said it best:
"It doesn't get easier, you get smarter."
That’s business as usual for most women. We see barriers and we find ways to overcome them. We self-educate and we tackle challenges. It’s the same for a new business. And there are always risks and rewards. Best of all – there are huge opportunities to thrive!
are risks and there are rewards.
There are many things to consider when contemplating entrepreneurship. Before you start figuring out what lawyer to hire to incorporate, or where you would like to locate your new business, take a moment to reinforce your determination. Remind yourself of what wonderful things could be. You will want to tap into those thoughts whenever the building blocks overwhelm you. Ignite your passion and let it fuel you to push through any challenges you encounter. Conquering fear should be at the top of your list. Why? Because being an entrepreneur requires you to believe in yourself. You should have a passion for your work/business. You should feel compelled to help your potential customers. And you must always be willing to pursue what’s around the corner.
Jodi Henson is a business consultant and an entrepreneur. She works with prospective and existing small business owners to help them overcome challenges and attain their goals. Jodi lives in NE Florida with her husband and family. You can contact her at jodih@jodihenson.com or check out The Softer Side of Success (www.thesoftersideofsuccess.com).