Building a successful business can certainly bring with it many challenges.

While there are practical steps you can take to overcome some of the more common business obstacles (such as marketing, planning and setting up key business systems), it’s the inner challenges that are often the most difficult to overcome.

Especially when it comes to fear, like:

• Fear of success
• Fear of failure
• Fear of not being liked
• Fear of being judged
• And the list goes on

Left unchecked, fear can cause all sorts of issues for us including three common things that can potentially shatter your dreams of building a successful business.

Recognise any?

1. Doubt

Self-doubt and lack of self disbelief can certainly shatter the dreams of any heart-centered entrepreneur.

As Marty Rubins so aptly says: “Self doubt inflicts the deepest wounds.”

Is your doubt and fear inflicting deep wounds?

Is your inner critic working overtime by saying:

• Others can achieve those things but I’ll never be able to.
• How on earth can I possibly reach that goal?
• There’s just no way…it’s impossible for me.

Then heed William Shakespeare’s words, when he said: “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”

Is your fear and doubt stopping you from even trying to build a successful business?

As Vincent Van Gogh said: “If you hear a voice within you say: ‘you cannot paint’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”

Isn’t it time you silence your inner voice? YES!

2. Disregard

Do you need to make a decision that has the potential to take your business to the next level?

• A new coaching program that has you investing in yourself at a much higher level – yet scares the crap out of you.
• A joint venture opportunity that you never thought possible – yet has you holding your breath as you realise you’re now going to have to play a much bigger game.
• An opportunity that would allow hundreds of people to hear your message – yet has you scared stiff because you fear speaking in public.

Ignoring, avoiding or ‘putting off’ having to make your decision is just fear keeping you stuck.

As Aeschlus said:”There is no avoidance in delay.”

And, the cost of avoiding the situation is far greater than you may realise.

Ivana Pejakivic B.Sc., M.A. identified 5 major consequences of avoidance.

Even though she was speaking about parents and teenagers the consequences still relate to entrepreneurs, namely:

• Feeling disempowered
• Low self-esteem
• Low self-trust
• Unhappiness
• Bad habit formation

As you can see, the cost of avoidance and disregard is HIGH!

Isn’t it time you STOP fear in its tracks by taking the courageous step forward and making your decision? YES!

3. Distraction

Demanding to-do lists (i.e. busyness syndrome), drama and disorder in your business and life are all great ways of stopping you from focusing on the decisions (or actions) that will drive your business forward.

Busyness syndrome can give an entrepreneur a false sense of hope and security believing that what they are doing is helping them grow their businesses.

It’s not.

Being busy does not mean you are being productive.

Are the tasks you’re working on bringing you closer to your goals in the most efficient and effective way? Be honest.

As Christel Quek wrote in her article Busyness Kills Business: “Busyness gives us less time to think, hope and dream. Do not let Busyness kill what matters to you.”

Are you ready to STOP letting busyness get in the way of building a successful business? YES!

In closing:

Fear and doubt are NOT your reality. Your fear and doubt is just your ego trying to convince you to remain stuck, which is something my mentor often reminds me of.

While your ego is strong; know that YOU are far stronger.

So, how do you overcome your fear?

By taking a courageous step forward.

Eleanor Rossevelt sums it up perfectly when she says:

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in face. You MUST do the thing which you think you cannot do.”

And from Dale Carnegie: “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

Let me ask you this:

• “What if fear and doubt were no longer important to you?”
• “What would you have to believe to make that possible?”
• “What decision would you have to make to make it possible so you can go out and get busy?”

What action do you need to take to make this happen?

Perhaps signing up for one of my Business Breakthrough Strategy Sessions so we can pinpoint some of the gaps and the RIGHT action steps you need to put into place? YES!

What are you waiting for?

Let’s get busy – TODAY!