Do you ever hold back for fear of what others think of you? If so, you’re not alone. This fear stops many people from going after their dreams.
Allowing your fear to take over can hold you back personally and in business. When you live in fear, you constantly feel as though you are on your own trying to make sure people like what you must offer and that those around you are not going to laugh at you as you struggle to start your own business.
It is common to see everyone else as confident while you feel as though you are trudging through the mud keeping your business from getting stuck. However, the truth is that most people are struggling just as much as you are.
Everyone has their own fears.
Will my business succeed?
Are people going to buy from me?
What if people don’t like my marketing?
What if people laugh at me for making mistakes?
Others are not thinking what you think they are.
You may be wondering what those other business owners are saying about you, thinking about you, or how they are judging you. In reality, they are not doing any of those things. They do not have the time.
They are too busy worrying about what you and others are saying about them, thinking about them, or how you are and others are judging them.
When it comes to running a business, and marketing your services or products, there are so many things that can keep you from being successful. Fear of what others think of you is simply the biggest fear that many new (and some not-so-new) business owners face.
How to Overcome the Fear
There are many things you can do each day to help you manage your fear. Here are some strategies that can help you:
1. Create a Plan
The lack of a plan can cause chaos and uncertainty in your marketing and selling. When you are organized, you will feel more confident and can worry less about what others think of you. You do not have to go through the process of creating a new plan each time, but at least once you need to write one down. The next time you want to sell and market a product you will have the steps laid out already. Then you will simply need to make a few adjustments. Having a plan allows you to see what needs to be done and how you can achieve your goal while keeping you accountable.
2. Focus on One Step at a Time
As a business owner, you most likely have a long list of things that need to be done to reach your next business goal. You may even have several goals. Knowing that you have a lot of things that need to be accomplished can leave you wondering if you will be able to successfully complete it all. Instead of looking at everything you need to do, pick the one thing that you need to complete right now to take you closer to your goal and only focus on that action until it is complete.
3. Turn Off Your Inner Critic
Most of the time, the person who is judging you the most is yourself. Once you begin judging yourself, you feel that everyone else is judging you as well. Begin focusing on your successes and what you do well. Focusing on the good will block your inner critic, allowing you to complete your projects without judgement.
4. Know the Values and Priorities of Your Business
When you allow yourself to become clear about your business values and priorities, then you will not have to worry about what others are thinking. Everyone has their own set of values and priorities; your business is your own and only you know what is right for your business.
5. Determine Your Fear and Take Action Against It
Figure out what it is that you fear. Take time to write it down and determine what you can do to overcome it. Then, begin taking action to manage that fear. You may find that you need to create a marketing plan, overcome your own judgements, or become more clear about your values. Whatever it is, the more you practice, the easier it will become to manage the fear of what others think.
Most importantly, don’t let this fear win. Don’t let it stop you from achieving the greatness that you are truly capable of.
