There are a lot of things to be worried about when you run your own business. You might be worried about workplace accidents, especially when over half of deadly accidents involve simple things, like falls. You would most certainly be worried about finding enough customers and making enough money. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking fears only appear when you have opened your doors.
It’s normal to have fears when starting your own business. The trick is not to let them change your mind about starting your latest venture. Here are five of the most common fears, along with some tips on how to tackle them.
Feeling Like an Amateur
Imposter syndrome is a real thing. It can make you feel like you’re a fraud. Why would customers and clients want to give your business money when you don’t feel like an expert in your field?
The truth is, no one knows it all, and often times, we only become an expert by getting started when we aren’t one in the first place. Don’t let your fear of being an amateur keep you from doing great things. No one really has it all figured out, and the people who do mostly just act like they have it all figured out. Not to mention, you probably know a lot more than you give yourself credit for. Start your business anyway.
Not Having Enough Money
This fear is very real, and it isn’t likely to disappear when you open your doors. You will probably always worry about money, so don’t let it stop you from pursuing your latest dream.
It’s actually quite normal to feel like you don’t have enough money to get started. It may even be true, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get started at all.
If you don’t have enough money to operate the way you want, start small. Even Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his garage. Reinvest the money you do make back into your business and you may discover you don’t need a bank loan or investors to help you get your business started after all.
Not Having Enough Support
Having the support of friends and family is extremely important when starting a business, but what if you don’t have that support system in place? For some, it might be because there just aren’t a lot of friends or family around. For others, it might be the case that friends and family think you’re crazy and you shouldn’t start your business at all.
It can be scary to start your business when so many people around you are telling you not to. Don’t be afraid to prove them wrong. Simply look for support elsewhere.
Other ways you can find the support you need might include:
- Work with a mentor
- Join a small business association
- Attend networking events
You can also participate in unrelated activities, like cooking or exercise classes, where you can meet people who will encourage you to follow your dreams.
Failing Your Loved Ones
Starting a business can be scary because there’s no guarantee of success. If you have a family that depends on your income, and starting your business means leaving a well-paying job, it can be even scarier.
Although it’s admirable that you’re worried about failing your loved ones, you have to stop worrying about letting others down and instead focus on yourself. Make a plan and prepare for the start of your business as well as you can. You can also make a plan for what you would do if you fail. When you see that everything will ultimately turn out okay either way, you can start your business with a little less worry.
Unable to Handle Success
It’s scary to think that you might fail, but it can be equally scary to wonder what’s going to happen if you’re successful. Handling the demands of a successful business can be overwhelming, and knowing you’ve got so many clients you have to turn some away can be just as stressful as not having enough clients to pay the bills. Not to mention, you might worry about alienating peers.
Plan ahead for how you might handle overwhelming success. Whether it means tapping into your network to hire employees or simply learning how to say no, it’s good to have a game plan, just in case.
Starting a business is scary, but most things that are worth it in life are. As you’re doing your normal business planning, take time to eschew your fears and you’ll ultimately enjoy more success.
