“I think that maybe inside any business, there is someone slowly going crazy”
Joseph Heller
In a recent study, 62% of BRW Fast Starters identified anxiety as the biggest personal problem to running a business
Basically, this anxiety was about the fear of the unknown
I know, we all put on a brave face to the world to show that we have everything under control and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Certainly, we want to exude confidence in our business dealings. But the reality of life is such that we do and will face difficult times. The question has to be how do we deal effectively with these difficult times and in particular feelings of fear and anxiety.
While I was writing this article someone phoned me and we got to talking about how difficult it is for businesses right now. Unfortunately, for many, they suffer in silence and isolation, never asking for help or support. The question posed during this conversation is why don’t business owners seek help and support?
Behind every fear there is an issue of safety and when we do not feel safe we go into flight and fight mode – a natural instinct meant to protect ourselves. This fear, anxiety and feelings of being unsafe, often cause us to make decisions that we may not necessarily make as we struggle to regain a feeling of safety, I suppose in some way to build our world of the known.
But business is by its very nature, unknown. This is in fact part of its allure, as entrepreneurs love a challenge but we need to be equipped to handle the fear and anxiety that can surface when problems arise in business and they will arise.
Here are six keys that if you implement will help you get through the other side of fear and be able to move forward:
Key #1: Accept that fear will always exist if you live a life worth living. The positive is, it can keep you on your toes. Fear is a normal and natural part of life. We are programmed to respond to threatening and unknown situations with fear. Learn to accept this, flow with it and move into the more rational parts of the brain to respond. For example, just stop and ask yourself “What exactly is happening here and how is it affecting me?”
Key #2: The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it. After the first step, the fear will subside. As the unknown becomes familiar the fear will dissipate.
Key #3: You are not alone. Others feel this way. Network and find support. I can tell you right now there is someone who wants to listen to you and help you. But you must put the work in to find them. Do not give up
Key #4: Revisit your reasons for starting the business. Get out of the micro and into the macro – The Why! The Dream! Fear can make us naval gazes and this only serves to cover up the problem and expand the fear.
Key #5: Use coaches or mentors – people who have experience with your issues. Every day I work with people having exactly these problems. I cannot count the number of times that people have left a coaching session with a completely different perspective and as a consequence a different feeling.
Key #6: Information is power – it will reduce anxiety and help you make better decisions. 80% of our decisions are made with 20% of the information – this is a recipe for disaster. Collect as much information as possible before making important decisions
Don’t allow fear and anxiety in business to cripple you. Rather face it head on and work with it and through it using the suggestions above.
If you want more help, this is one of the topics covered in my upcoming one day program: The Entrepreneurial Mindset Exposed
Until Next Time
Julie Spain
Business Mindset Strategist
Let’s face it – generally, we are not that good at caring for ourselves! Others maybe but often when it comes to our own wellbeing, we run out of time, energy and resources.
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