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Are you feeling like you’re not quite sure if you’re cut out for this whole business thing? Maybe you’re wondering if you have what it takes to be successful, or if you’re just fooling yourself.
I get that. As a woman who’s made the leap from nursing to entrepreneurship, I’ve been there myself. Self-doubt can be a real struggle, and it can really hold you back from reaching your full potential.
But here’s the thing: You are cut out for this. You have the skills, drive, and passion to build a successful business. All you need is the confidence to make it happen.
In this blog post, I’m going to share what a lack of confidence looks like for us as women in business, and share some tips and tricks for breaking through that self-doubt to achieving your goals. Because let’s be real, we can’t let fear and negative self-talk hold us back from creating our dream life.
Want to skip this list and get my 21-Day Confidence Building Workbook emailed to you instead? Download the free workbook here.
Overthinking taking action
Raise your hand if you can relate! *raises hand*
It can be so easy to get caught up in overanalyzing every little detail and trying to plan out every possible scenario before taking action. But sometimes, you just need to take that leap of faith and trust that you’ll figure things out along the way. Remember, imperfect action is still better than no action at all.
“I’m not Ready”
This is the classic imposter syndrome. It’s that little voice in your head that tells you that you’re not good enough, not experienced enough, not smart enough, and the list goes on. But here’s the thing: nobody starts out feeling 100% ready. Just like when you were a new nurse, you learn, get better and grow as you go.
Truth is: if you’ve never failed, you’re probably not taking enough risk sis!
Afraid of being a failure
This is a big one. Nobody likes to fail, but the truth is, failure is often a necessary part of the learning and growing process. It’s important to remember that one setback or mistake does not define your entire business or your worth as a person. The truth is, if you’ve never failed, you’re probably not taking enough risks sis!
Struggle to speak up for themselves
It can be hard to advocate for yourself, especially when you’re used to putting others’ needs first as a nurse. A colleague says something that you find offensive or hurtful. You want to speak up and share your thoughts, but you don’t like conflict so you end up staying silent, even though the comment has been weighing on you.
In this scenario, it’s understandable to feel hesitant about speaking up, but by staying silent, you may end up feeling frustrated, hurt or unheard. It’s important to remember that your feelings and opinions are valid and that it’s okay to communicate them in a respectful and honest way. As an entrepreneur, you get to be your own biggest advocate. Whether it’s negotiating a contract, setting boundaries with clients, or promoting your services, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and what you deserve.
Leaning on outside approval before commitment
We all want validation and approval from others, but at the end of the day, you have to trust your own instincts and make decisions that are right for you and your business. It’s okay to seek advice and guidance from mentors and peers, but you have to learn to rely on your own intuition. It’s the best tool that you have.
Believing in others more than yourself
It’s not uncommon for people to believe in the abilities of their partners, friends, or loved ones more than they believe in themselves. This can be especially true in the case of nurses who may be stepping into the uncharted territory of entrepreneurship.
In some cases, you may have a great idea for a business but hold back on taking action because you’re doubting your abilities. Instead, you pour your energy and support into your loved one’s business idea, helping them to succeed while neglecting your own goals.
While there’s nothing wrong with supporting your loved ones, it’s important to remember that your own dreams and aspirations are just as important. If you have an idea for a business or a passion that you want to pursue, believe in yourself and your abilities, and don’t let self-doubt hold you back from reaching your goals.
Avoid learning your talents
Avoiding learning your talents is when you don’t take the time to recognize or develop your skills, abilities, or interests. You may believe that you don’t have anything unique or valuable to offer, or you may be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things.
For example, let’s say you’re interested in starting your own business, but you’re not sure what your talents are or how to use them. You may feel like you’re not good at anything, or that you don’t have any skills that can translate into a successful business. And because of this, you may avoid exploring new opportunities or learning new things. This will hold you back from achieving your goals.
Take the time to learn what you’re really good at and what sets you apart from others. This will not only boost your confidence but also help you attract the right clients and opportunities into your business.
What’s Next?
Lacking confidence in yourself is a major obstacle standing between you and your dream life. Remember that confidence is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Ready to shift your mindset from one of fear and self-doubt to one of growth and learning? Get my 21-Day Confidence Building Workbook for free to get started today. Download here.
Get out there and take action, keep learning, and don’t forget to trust yourself and your abilities. You got this!
