by Tasmin Sabar
Back when I was in my corporate job and looking to start my own business, I had a lot of fears and limiting beliefs holding me back.
Even though I knew what I wanted to do, I was pretty clueless about how to actually make it happen.
On top of that, I was scared of leaving the perceived safety and security of the corporate world. I had no entrepreneurial background and there seemed to be so much I didn’t know about running a business.
This meant that for some time, the fears got the better of me and led to procrastination and inaction.
This caused a lot of internal conflict because I knew I had to overcome the fears and get my head around the learning curve but I just couldn’t get out of my own way.
I really wanted to change but I was the one holding MYSELF back.
At the time, I thought this was uniquely me but since then, I’ve learnt that I’m not alone in feeling this way.
I see the same thing now with the women I work with.
Wonderful, amazing women who have gifts to share with the world but they hold themselves back and live in fear.
Fear of success, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of making a mistake, fear of never reaching their true potential.
Often, they end up holding themselves back so much they think it’s easier to give up on their dreams rather than tackle their fears.
Well, I am here to tell you that you should NEVER give up on your dreams.
Ever!
The world needs women like you and your dreams ARE meant for you. Building a business can seem scary, daunting and anxiety-inducing, but it is one of the most rewarding things you will do.
Sometimes, to get where you want to be, you have to push yourself a little.
Here are 3 tips to help you get out of your own way:
Master your Mindset
Having the right mindset is crucial for success. In fact, the more I have worked on myself and my clients, I have realised that the right mindset is everything.
As Henry Ford said “whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Having an abundance mindset which is ready, primed, open and accepting of success is essential.
So often, a scarcity mindset can come into play and you can find your mind telling you all sorts of stories such as
it will never work for me,
there is not enough out there,
there is too much competition,
its possible for X person because she has this or that going for her etc.
The truth is none of this serves you and it stops you from moving forward.
Your thoughts create your reality so it’s essential to think the good ones to create the reality you want.
A good way to do this is to work on your mindset daily. Read inspiring books and use affirmations to program your mind for success as a starting point. Or you can work with a Coach to go more in depth.
Learn to live with the fears and know that you can handle them
For many women, the fears that arise from stepping out of their comfort zone and doing something different can derail them before they even get started.
I know I was the same when I first thought about starting my business.
My fears stopped me from taking action and as a result, I stayed in research mode for months.
I soon discovered that the way to beat my fears was to become more courageous and tell myself that I can handle anything that comes up and I will DO IT ANYWAY.
We can make excuses and be ruled by our fears all day long, but that will get us nowhere. So, it’s up to you to accept that fears will come up, acknowledge them, but then carry on regardless.
Think about some of the biggest fears that are coming up for you around a project or business idea and take some time to write them down and journal your exact feelings. Then say “I might be a little scared but I am going to do this anyway”.
Make it happen
Achieving success takes a commitment to making it happen. It takes action and forward movement.
Even if you’re scared, even if fears are coming up, even if you don’t know all the steps.
If you commit to making progress and taking steps (even small ones) you will move forward and before you know it, you will be where you want to be. It’s often said that “success is the sum of small efforts – repeated day in and day out” and this is so true.
It’s about putting one foot in front of the other. The more you take action the more the path clears. Clarity comes from taking action.
But if you don’t take any action – you won’t get anywhere. Simple! It’s totally possible for you to make YOUR dream a reality and set yourself if up for success
When you commit to making it happen.
When you accept that fears are part and parcel of the journey of growth.
When you decide to start and go for it with consistency and persistence.
Then there will be no one getting in your way. Yourself included.
Read more from Tasmin Sabar here.
Tasmin Bar said goodbye to the corporate world after fifteen years in the legal and recruitment sectors, before starting her own entrepreneurial journey. She found her passion as a Mindset and Business Confidence Coach and specializes in helping women navigate the transition from the 9-5, to their own business based on their own passions.
