Starting a business can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when juggling life’s other demands.

And that little voice inside your head? It can be your biggest cheerleader or your harshest critic. 

It whispers doubts, questions your abilities, and sometimes even tries to convince you to give up. 

“What if this doesn’t work for me?” “How do I know this is worth it?”

The constant demands, and the endless ‘shoulds,’ can trigger a whirlwind of emotions – excitement, fear, doubt, and hope.

And when you’re building something from the ground up, those emotions can feel amplified, making your journey seem even more challenging.

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Research suggests that the average person has 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, with 80% being negative, and 95% being repetitive. 

This means every day, you may be repeating the SAME negative thoughts. Imagine the energy you’re wasting, and the dreams you’re squashing because of these harmful whispers. 

But the good news is, you can learn to quiet that inner critic by actively choosing to speak more kindly to yourself.

Exploring Your Emotional Triggers and Breaking Your Thought Patterns:

Let’s talk about your emotional triggers. These are the things that can set off that negative self-talk and make you feel like giving up. Don’t try to suppress them; instead, gently challenge them and reframe them.

The Unknown: 

Have you ever felt that knot in your stomach when facing something completely new? That’s the fear of the unknown. Starting a business means stepping into uncharted territory. It’s natural to feel a little scared. 

Reframing: From “I Can’t” to “I’ll Learn How”: Feeling overwhelmed by a new skill, like creating a flyer using new software or managing your finances? Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” tell yourself, “I’ll learn how to do this, one step at a time.” Focus on the process of learning and growing.

Imposter Syndrome: 

Ever feel like you’re faking it, like everyone’s going to find out you’re not as competent as they think? That’s imposter syndrome. It’s incredibly common, especially when you’re starting something new and maybe haven’t had a lot of formal training.  You are capable, even if you’re still learning.

Reframing: From “I’m a fraud” to “I’m learning and growing”: Instead of focusing on what you don’t know, acknowledge how far you’ve come. Celebrate your small wins. Every customer you serve, and every flyer you hand out, is a testament to your effort and your growing skills.

Comparison 

Scrolling through social media and seeing everyone else’s “perfect” businesses can be a real downer. It’s easy to compare yourself and feel like you’re falling behind. 

Reframing: From “I’m not as good as them” to “I’m focusing on my own path”: Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress. What are your goals? What are you doing well? Celebrate your milestones.

Setbacks

Everyone experiences failures and challenges, it’s how you respond to them that matters. Do you let them knock you down, or do you use them as learning opportunities?

Reframing: From “I’m a failure” to “I’ll learn from this”: Instead of dwelling on the negative, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this experience?” Every setback is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser.

Overwhelm

Juggling all the different aspects of a business can be overwhelming. It’s easy to feel bombarded and like you’re drowning in tasks. This can lead to anxiety and make it hard to even know where to start.

Reframing: From “I can’t handle this” to “I’ll break it down”: Instead of trying to do everything at once, break down your tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Prioritize what’s most important. Ask for help when you need it. Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone.