Entrepreneurship and the Fear of Failing
I was recently asked, “How do I overcome my fear of failing?” My honest answer? You don’t…BUT we ALL experience this feeling and there are so many ways to push through it.
FEAR IS NORMAL.
And yes, entrepreneurship is scary— you’re on the roller coaster of an amazing adventure! I’ve ridden (heck, still ride) the ups and down of entrepreneurship. But you’re not alone, and well-managed fear—the kind that you fully acknowledge, and then choose to boldly move past—can become an incredible motivational tool. It can drive you to push beyond your comfort zone, innovate, and persist in the face of challenges.
I've put together a few steps to help you manage the very real and very normal fears that accompany being a small business owner.
SECURE A SUPPORT SYSTEM
These days I have the luxury of a wonderful team to lean on, but I have been in your shoes as a solo founder and know how lonely it can be. Your friends, family, mentors and fellow entrepreneurs have your back. If you ask they can offer support, advice and maybe even a well-timed pep talk when you need it most. Don't be afraid to ask for support!
KEEP IT REAL
As someone with BIG DREAMS, trust me when I say it's easy to get caught up in grand ideas and sky-high expectations. While this is a valuable piece of the entrepreneurial puzzle, make sure you set ACHIEVABLE GOALS and get comfortable with the idea of business growth and product pivots as you learn on the job.
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
This applies to so much more than business-related fears. What are the aspects of your business that are directly within your control? Product quality? Customer service? Marketing efforts? Put energy into making these elements the best they can be to help put your mind at ease.
CELEBRATE YOUR WINS, BIG AND SMALL
Last year I asked our team to started writing down our "wins of the week." This helped us find the small victories among the grit of running a business. No matter how small they are, remember to savor the moments of growth and learning along the way. Don't forget to look back and take stock of how far you've come at the end of the month, the season, the year, or whenever you need a little reminder.
EMBRACE IT
Acknowledge that there will be ups and downs in your business no matter what you do. Failure is an important part of growth. If we never fail, it means we never truly pushed ourselves to the next level.
STAY TRUE TO YOUR WHY
Never lose sight of YOUR WHY—the passion and purpose that inspired you to start this journey in the first place. If you've taken our course, The Pop-Up Playbook, you know how passionate I am about the WHY behind each entrepreneur's story. Let it guide you through the tough times and remind you why it's ALL WORTH IT in the end.
Ultimately, the best way to overcome fear is to trust yourself and your vision for your business, and equip yourself with resources and supports that keep you moving forward.
Ready to unlock your business's full potential? Dive into our curated resources and courses, created specifically for entrepreneurs like you. From retail marketing foundations to opening a pop-up shop, we've got everything you need to thrive in the retail world at thepopupplaybook.com!
