Doubt, imposter syndrome, and fear are completely normal, but what sets us apart is how we handle these feelings. My story, as yours can be, is a testament to how overcoming personal struggles can fuel the passion to help others.
After building two creative businesses, I realised that the most pivotal lesson I learned wasn’t about business strategies or technical skills – it was about mindset.
Overcoming the Doubt That Holds Us Back
Our doubt is often rooted in fear of failure, fear of success, or a lack of self-worth. For many of us, the fear of the unknown – or stepping into unfamiliar territory – can trigger all sorts of negative thoughts. This is especially true when you’re starting a business.
While you can listen to podcasts, attend networking events, and read all the books, nothing quite prepares you for the feelings of uncertainty that hit when it’s your business and your dreams on the line.
The “Upper Limit Problem”
This concept is discussed by Gay Hendricks in his book The Big Leap. According to this theory, if you’ve grown up in an environment where chaos, trauma, or unhappiness were present, that becomes your baseline. When you start to break out of that baseline – to pursue something better – it can feel uncomfortable, as though you’re doing something wrong. This is where self-sabotage often creeps in.
Rewiring Your Mindset
Mindset is everything. It’s not enough to just do the work. You need to believe in yourself, even when doubt tries to convince you otherwise.
Acknowledge It – Don’t try to ignore your feelings of doubt or fear. Recognise them and accept that they’re a natural part of the process. By acknowledging this voice, you can take away some of its power.
Question It – Instead of letting your doubts control you, ask yourself: Why am I feeling like this? Is this fear rooted in failure, success, or not feeling good enough? By identifying the source of the doubt, you can address it more effectively.
Take Action Anyway – When you’re doing something brave, it feels like fear. Taking action despite your fear is how you grow and create new evidence that you can succeed.
Rewire Your Thought Patterns – It takes time to break free from old thought patterns, but with patience and persistence, you can rewire your brain to embrace success.
Celebrate the Wins – Every time you take a step outside your comfort zone, celebrate it. Each small victory is a testament to your growth.
Fear of Success: It’s More Common Than You Think
Sometimes, as you get closer to your goal, the fear of success can creep in. Success could bring change, increased visibility, bigger responsibilities, and maybe even the pressure to be someone you’re not sure you can be.
But here’s the key takeaway: you don’t need to conform to others’ expectations. Success can look however you want it to. You can scale your business in a way that works for your life.
Procrastination: It’s Not About Laziness
Let’s talk about procrastination. Hands up if you’ve ever put something off that you actually wanted to do. Guilty! But what’s often lurking behind procrastination isn’t laziness or a lack of ambition — it’s fear.
But here’s the silver lining: procrastination can be broken. It starts with awareness. When you catch yourself in the act, you can make a conscious choice to break free from the cycle.
If you’ve been stuck on something for a while, try this trick: change your environment. Whether that’s switching out of your work clothes, tidying your workspace, or even taking a quick walk, shifting your physical space can help shift your mental space.
Tips for Pushing through Self-Doubt and Procrastination
The Power of Short Bursts of Focus: Time blocking and the Pomodoro technique, say working in 25-minute bursts followed by a five-minute break, both work like magic! If you can find ways to reward yourself throughout your day, you’ll feel more confident, motivated, and productive.
The Magic of Lists and Planning: Having everything written down physically can help clear up mental clutter. I plan my whole week on Mondays, with each task lined up in order of priority. And here’s the secret: I tackle the things I dread first so the rest of the day feels like a breeze.
Tackling Big Projects, The 1% Rule: When facing a huge task—like starting a business or renovating a home—it’s easy to feel completely overwhelmed. I use the 1% rule, which involves starting with something you’re genuinely excited about. For example, if you want to start a business, spend just five minutes brainstorming your ideas or watching a YouTube video on how to get started. From there, a little bit every day goes a long way.
Protect Your Ideas: Starting a business or embarking on a big project is all about nurturing your idea. Don’t let doubt get in the way: it will try to talk you out of it, but trust me, you’ve got what it takes.
Procrastination’s Sneaky Signs: Sometimes, procrastination can be tricky—it’s not always obvious. You might think you’re being productive, but you’re just avoiding the real work. Maybe you’re organising drawers or cleaning, but it’s important to recognise what you’re doing to break the cycle.
Embrace the Energy of Money: Many people struggle with charging what they’re worth. But here’s a shift in perspective: money is just another form of energy. When you offer something that helps people—whether it’s a service or a product—you’re exchanging energy. If you charge less than your worth, you risk attracting the wrong type of customers who don’t value the work you put in. And that can lead to burnout, frustration, and a loss of magic in what you’re creating.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, the hardest part of moving forward is simply starting. But with the right mindset, tools, and techniques, you can tackle anything that comes your way.
Don’t let self-doubt and fear stop you. Nurture your ideas, protect your excitement, and believe in your ability to create magic. The world needs your unique gifts, and there’s no better time than now to start sharing them.
Tips for Pushing through Self-Doubt and Procrastination
The Power of Short Bursts of Focus: Time blocking and the Pomodoro technique, say working in 25-minute bursts followed by a five-minute break, both work like magic! If you can find ways to reward yourself throughout your day, you’ll feel more confident, motivated, and productive.
The Magic of Lists and Planning: Having everything written down physically can help clear up mental clutter. I plan my whole week on Mondays, with each task lined up in order of priority. And here’s the secret: I tackle the things I dread first so the rest of the day feels like a breeze.
Tackling Big Projects, The 1% Rule: When facing a huge task—like starting a business or renovating a home—it’s easy to feel completely overwhelmed. I use the 1% rule, which involves starting with something you’re genuinely excited about. For example, if you want to start a business, spend just five minutes brainstorming your ideas or watching a YouTube video on how to get started. From there, a little bit every day goes a long way.
Protect Your Ideas: Starting a business or embarking on a big project is all about nurturing your idea. Don’t let doubt get in the way: it will try to talk you out of it, but trust me, you’ve got what it takes.
Procrastination’s Sneaky Signs: Sometimes, procrastination can be tricky—it’s not always obvious. You might think you’re being productive, but you’re just avoiding the real work. Maybe you’re organising drawers or cleaning, but it’s important to recognise what you’re doing to break the cycle.
Embrace the Energy of Money: Many people struggle with charging what they’re worth. But here’s a shift in perspective: money is just another form of energy. When you offer something that helps people—whether it’s a service or a product—you’re exchanging energy. If you charge less than your worth, you risk attracting the wrong type of customers who don’t value the work you put in. And that can lead to burnout, frustration, and a loss of magic in what you’re creating.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, the hardest part of moving forward is simply starting. But with the right mindset, tools, and techniques, you can tackle anything that comes your way.
Don’t let self-doubt and fear stop you. Nurture your ideas, protect your excitement, and believe in your ability to create magic. The world needs your unique gifts, and there’s no better time than now to start sharing them.
You can find out more and listen to the full podcast episode here.
About Claire Hill
Claire Hill is a self-belief and business coach, the founder of The Vivid Business Club and supports female online business owners to get out of their own way and make their dreams happen. Connect with Claire on Instagram.