My business victories, big or small, are sometimes an exercise in moving out of self-doubt.
Think of self-doubt like limbo. It’s this suspended state between absolutes. One absolute is positive belief; the other absolute is knowing for sure that it can’t be done. And in-between? Well, you’re not sure. That’s doubt.
A fellow business coach and I were discussing the obstacles solo-professionals face in creating a flourishing business. The decision? Lots of those obstacles are self-imposed!
An idea was sparked and a telesummit was born that would address those obstacles. I have never hosted one before, and it is testing my comfort zones. Excitement for the idea quickly made twists and turns into moments of questioning.
Will people really be interested in what I have to say?
Can I find the right people to participate? And will they say yes?
What if no one registers and I look like a fool?
What if, what if, what if?
One of my biggest “self-doubt limbo” moments was asking a particular speaker to participate. I was at a large event with her and saw my opportunity. I knew if I didn’t take it, it would be forever lost. I decided then and there the risk of not asking was much greater than the risk of opening my mouth. The result? She agreed!
Dealing with doubt in this example has come down to three basic things: realization, decision-making, and focused action.
I accepted the fact that the self-doubt was there, and I decided it wouldn’t rule the outcome.
I listed all of the tasks that needed to be done to make it happen. Getting those tasks on paper made them a lot less daunting; I could cross them off one at a time.
I asked for advice from those who have accomplished this before.
I decided that even if the worst-case scenario happened, it would still be worth the risk to stretch myself.
I realized that success has already happened. I’ve already learned new skills and increased my visibility.
Each day I do the smaller tasks that keep the effort moving forward.
Realization, decision-making, and focused action have help me stay on the absolute side of positive belief!
I now invite you to learn more by registering for a complimentary tele-summit, “Four Ways to Flourish for Solopreneurs,” beginning 9/29/2009.
[http://fourwaystoflourish.com]