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Overcoming The Fears Connected To Starting A Business

The number one barrier against starting up a new Business is...FEAR!

Fear is an extremely personal thing and it affects us all differently and often in unexpected ways. Most of us will find all sorts of excuses for not starting a business, but the truth is we're mostly scared of starting a business because of our fears. The biggest fear is usually 'jumping off the cliff' and just getting on with it!

Our fears tell us we'll look silly. They tell us we don't have enough money. They tell us we might fail. They tell us we should stay away from the unknown. They tell us we'll suffer. They'll tell us that 'change' is bad and we should only ever do things we've done in the past. They'll tell us to stay inside our comfort zone.

Fear is actually a perfectly natural mechanism to protect us from harm. Unfortunately, fear frequently over-fuels our dreams and imagination and transforms them into nightmares and strange unidentifiable shadows. Fear stops us doing some of the things we'd like to do, and it certainly stops us from changing old habits. Fear fails to tell us that we actually grow each time we step outside our comfort zone, and don't when we don't! It can be a little off-putting when we see others starting a business with hardly a second thought whilst we peer out from inside the perceived safety of our comfort zone.

To overcome fears, we must learn to turn our fears into incentives for action and stop making excuses - we must grab responsibility for who we are! The truth is that fears are natural and okay and that we're not the only person in the world who has them. Fear is acceptable. However, fears need to be challenged occasionally to see if they're real or imagined! Everyone has fears, and we should learn to deal with ours, and also respect the fears of others.

1. ANALYSE YOUR STRENGTHS.

Never worry for even one moment about your weaknesses. We all have them. Put your energy and effort into your strengths stronger instead. Look inside yourself. Take stock of what is unique about you. What can you do better than a thousand other people - maybe that's where there is a business? There's a thing called 'sensory anchoring' where you call upon your subconscious to support your efforts - you have to purposely recall past times when you overcame some tough challenges, or times when others were extremely proud of you - the times when you received a rush of euphoria and self-confidence. When you find yourself making excuses to cover your fears, the trick (and it does work with practice) is to call up one of these peak experiences and let it flood your body again. Your memory bank will take some, or all, of the feeling on board, and you'll be able to take a positive step forward.

2. SEEK AFFIRMATION AND FEEDBACK.

Often, one of the only ways to trample on our fears and barriers, and affirm that we are 'okay' is to ask trusted friends what they think. Their feedback can quickly turn fear energy into action energy to proceed forward, particularly if yours friends are intelligent people you have always respected. They might say something like, "if anyone can run a business, you can!" Positive feedback from others is one of the most effective ways to conquer and squash your fears. Your aim is to jump over your fears rather than be cornered by them.

3. ACT WITH ENTHUSIASM AND POSITIVITY.

All of our fears tend to magnify and become exaggerated when we're alone - often not resembling reality. To combat this, you need to act enthusiastically and positively. Sure, you have to con yourself, and there's a danger that you might swing to the opposite end of the spectrum where your enthusiasm exceeds reality, but isn't this better than being where you were - full of fear? Besides, enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm in others. Whilst your internal dialogue might be saying, "Right! Now what do I need to do to attract customers and who can help me?" With this new way of thinking, you will be surprised how many people will start to support you when you ask for help.

Information provided by John Edmonds  - http://www.getaheadinbusiness.com 
Copyright 2009 John Edmonds