Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

How do you know if it`s fear of failure or your gut telling you it`s a bad idea?

Tee

Tee. I know for sure it`s not a fear of failure. I`ve fallen on my face so many times that I don`t care if it happens again. I`ll just pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again. (Apologies to Frank Sinatra.) Craig nailed it when he said it`s a credibility issue. I have heard so many times how I`m just not good enough for the promotion, raise, bonus, better job etc,  for no other reason than my lack of a degree. I`m not putting having a degree down, because I really, really, really wish I had one. But I should get one now just to prove to the morons I work for that I`m worthy of something? I know I need to break away from the corporate world because I just can`t stand living in this box that`s been created for me. Christopher (the life coach) was right when he said that I no longer believed in self made people. I lost sight of what was really important. Instead of concentrating on fulfilling clients needs, I became worried about how I was going to replace my current income. Wage slave mentality, huh? So I began to see the entrepreneurs I had wanted to service as my next boss, not someone with a need that I could fulfill. With an attitude like that, why would anyone want to engage my services anyway? And there you have my dilemma in a nutshell. If I knew in my heart that I had the wrong attitude, any potential client would see it as well, and I would be exposed and naked to the world. (I think Craig`s stage fright analogy fits here.) So now I want to do something that I love (bookkeeping, accounting), which a bunch of fools who can`t see their hands in front of their faces (my employers) won`t let me do at the level I`m capable of, for business owners who hate it (is that possible?), but will trust me to do it for them. I want to close by saying that I`m thankful to all of you for your indulgence, insight, suggestions and advice. You make this is an excellent forum!

Let me start by saying what you actually fear is likely much less painful than gathering the courage to ask strangers to help you overcome your fear. 

To Steve`s point.  It`s not about overcoming fear as much as it is abou makig positive changes in your life.  Positive personal change can only come afer forgiveness.  What I would suggest is that you are doing the best you can.  In fact, you are doing the best you can 100% of the time, based on your beliefs and your instincts regarding your current circumstances.  Once you acknowledge the truth in that statement, you will find it easier to forgive yourself, and then make positive changes in the direction of your goals.

 

You should realize that there are people in your market that are in the exact place you are, trying to gather their courage to ask for help with their bookeeping.  Your successful business can bring value and joy to the lives of others worth much more than what you would require for payment. 

 

If you focus on the "service" of your services you will do fine. 

 

Michael Stone

www.MichaelJStone.com