How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Start Your Dream Business
Are you a Christian mom with a dream of starting a business, but find yourself held back by insecurities? Starting a business with self-doubt can feel overwhelming and scary, but it doesn’t have to be this way. In this blog post, I’ll share five key suggestions to help you overcome self-doubt and start building the business of your dreams.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your existing business to the next level, these tips will help you push past your fears and build the mindset you need to succeed.
Ever since I was 6 years old, I dreamed of starting my own business. And by the time I turned 10, I had actually started three: a cookie “company”, a concierge car wash business, and even a neighborhood detective agency.
And this love for entrepreneurship only grew stronger as I tried various other ventures throughout high school and college.
So, it was a little shocking to me that later in my adulthood, I would become so insecure in my abilities to start and run a successful home business. After displaying all of that early desire and abilities to start and profit from childhood side hustles, why was I so full of fear when trying to start my dream business as an adult?
The short answer is self-doubt.
Is it normal to doubt yourself when starting a business?
Starting a business can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time, especially when self-doubt starts to creep in. As a Christian mom, it’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough or qualified to pursue your dream of starting a business.
However, it’s important to remember that it is normal to doubt yourself when starting a business. In fact, self-doubt is a common obstacle that many successful entrepreneurs have faced and overcome.
How do you overcome business doubts?
So, now that you know that it is normal to doubt yourself when starting a business, you may be wondering how do you overcome business doubts.
I did some research years ago on this and came away with seven key suggestions. These tips on how to overcome business doubts helped me release my fears and confidently start my dream business. Now, I’m sharing what I learned with you.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, these tips will help you build the mindset you need to succeed.
Keys to Starting a Business with Self-Doubt
Here are seven key suggestions for Christian moms who are starting a business with self-doubt and want to release it:
1. Turn to God
We’re told in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear but one of power and sound judgment. So, what do we do when we experience fear?
By trusting in God’s plan and seeking His wisdom and guidance, you can develop a greater sense of purpose and confidence in your abilities to pursue your dreams.
Go to God’s word and read His promises. Remind yourself of God’s love for you and His plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). Take a few minutes and read John 19:16–30, John’s account of Jesus on the cross. As you read it, think of the incredible amount of worth you must have for your Creator to give His life for yours.
Spend time in prayer and seek guidance from Him to overcome your doubts. Prayer and meditation are effective tools for reducing anxiety and promoting a positive mindset, which can help overcome feelings of self-doubt.
Action Step: Write down all of your self-doubts and fears, then find promises in God’s word for each one.
2. Focus on your strengths
You read in my story above that as a child, I naturally gravitated toward creating and running businesses. It was something I loved doing and was motivated to do. I didn’t realize it then, but I had some natural strengths that were being used and developed.
Focusing on your strengths helps you to build confidence in your abilities. When you focus on your strengths, you are reminding yourself of the skills and talents that you have and the value that you can bring to your business.
And we all have innate strengths. Just think back to when you were a child; what tasks or things came naturally to you? What were some things you could do for hours without noticing the time passing?
Reminding yourself of your strengths can help you to overcome self-doubt because it shifts your focus away from your weaknesses.
It also allows you to approach challenges with a more positive and proactive mindset, knowing that you have the ability to overcome them using your strengths.
In addition, focusing on your strengths can help you to identify areas where you may need additional support or resources, allowing you to address any gaps in your skills or knowledge before they become a major obstacle.
Action Step: Make a list of your strengths and remind yourself of your accomplishments. This will help you build your confidence and overcome feelings of inadequacy. Also, list any potential obstacles and ways you can overcome them.
Here’s a resource to help you with this step:
Click here to download this FREE guide
3. Surround yourself with positive influences
In Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) we’re told, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Who we spend time with influences our thoughts and actions. And when starting a business from home, you need to be surrounded by positive, encouraging people.
When you surround yourself with people who believe in you and your abilities, you are more likely to believe in yourself as well.
These positive influences can come from a variety of sources, including family, friends, mentors, and even online communities.
By seeking out and embracing these positive influences, you can gain the confidence and support you need to overcome self-doubt and pursue your dreams with greater certainty.
Action Step: Spend time with people who encourage and uplift you, such as other Christian moms who are also building a business from home. Avoid people who bring you down or make you doubt yourself.
4. Take action
Did you know that self-doubt can paralyze you and prevent you from taking the necessary steps to move forward? However, taking action, even if it’s just small steps, can help build momentum and confidence.
But hear me on this: your action doesn’t have to be perfect or even successful. The goal is to simply start moving forward, learning from your mistakes, and making progress towards your goals.
By taking action, you’re showing yourself that you have the ability to make things happen and that you’re capable of handling any obstacles that may come your way.
In addition, taking action can help shift your focus from your fears and doubts to the present moment and the task at hand.
It can help quiet the negative self-talk and replace it with a sense of accomplishment and pride in what you’re doing.
Ultimately, taking action is a powerful way to build confidence and overcome self-doubt when starting a home business or side hustle.
It’s a reminder that you have the power to create the life and business you want, and that every small step forward is a victory.
Action Step: Instead of dwelling on your doubts, take action toward your goals. Break down your tasks into manageable steps and take them one at a time. Celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small they may seem.
5. Focus on your why
Your why refers to the underlying reason or purpose behind your desire to start a business. It’s your motivation, your driving force, and the thing that keeps you going when things get tough.
When you are clear on your why, it can help you push through self-doubt and stay focused on your goals. You can remind yourself of why you started in the first place and use that as a source of inspiration to keep going.
Focusing on your why can also help you make decisions about your business.
When you are clear on your purpose, it can be easier to determine which tasks and opportunities align with your goals and which ones don’t.
This can help you avoid distractions and stay on track, which can further boost your confidence and reduce self-doubt.
Remind yourself of the reasons why you decided to start a home business in the first place. Whether it’s to have more time with your family or to pursue your passion, keeping your why at the forefront of your mind can help you stay motivated and push through self-doubt.
Action Step: Write down your ‘Why’ for wanting to start your dream business. Post it where you’ll see it each day to help keep you moving forward.
6. Practice self-care
Self-doubt often stems from a lack of confidence and belief in yourself. When you prioritize self-care, you prioritize your well-being and show yourself that you are worthy of care and attention.
This can help boost your self-esteem and confidence, making it easier to push past self-doubt and take action towards your goals.
Taking time to rest, exercise, eat well, and engage in activities that bring you joy can help you feel more energized and focused, allowing you to tackle challenges with a clearer mind and a stronger sense of self-worth.
In short, self-care is a powerful tool for building resilience and overcoming self-doubt, making it an essential part of any home business owner’s toolkit.
Action Step: Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat well. Plan time for self-care. Spend time in activities that bring you joy and peace, such as reading the Bible, journaling, or spending time in nature.
7. Seek out support
Often, self-doubt can lead to a lack of confidence in your abilities and decision-making, which can be paralyzing.
But if you seek out support from others, whether it be a mentor, a business coach, or a supportive community, you can gain valuable feedback, encouragement, and guidance.
This can help you build confidence, reduce self-doubt, and make it easier to take the necessary action towards starting and growing a successful home business.
Action Step: Surround yourself with a community of like-minded individuals who can provide encouragement, advice, and support. This can be a group of other Christian moms who are also running their own businesses or a mentor who has experience in the industry you’re pursuing. Having a support system can make a big difference in helping you overcome self-doubt and succeed in your home business.
In conclusion, starting a home business can be intimidating, but it’s not impossible. Self-doubt can often creep in and make you feel like you are not good enough or that you will not succeed.
However, there are several ways to overcome this self-doubt and achieve your dreams. By turning to God, focusing on your strengths, surrounding yourself with positive influences, taking action, focusing on your why, practicing self-care, and seeking out support, you can build the confidence you need to start and grow your business.
Remember that you are capable of achieving your goals, and with the right mindset and support, you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way. So take a deep breath, trust in God, and take the first step towards building the business of your dreams.
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