There seems to be a theme in the blogs I’m reading today. Fear and Self-Doubt. And I just had a big long discussion about this the other day. I have a LIST. Yep, a whole LIST of reasons I can’t succeed in online business. Since everyone else is sharing, I thought I would too.
- No Focus. I have too many ideas and I’m committed to all of them. I run a website consulting business, a home fitness for women business and this blog for WAHM balance. I don’t know how to present myself. As ONE person, or THREE? So far, I’ve gotten no answer to this question… even though I’ve asked.
- Fear of Competition. I look at other websites that are similar to mine. I get jealous of what they have accomplished. I believe there is no way I can compete, so why should I bother?
- Guilt. This one cracks me up because, logically, I know it’s silly. When I network online with others in my “field” or post a comment with a link to try and build traffic to my site, I feel like I’m stealing. Who am I to take attention from them and try to turn it to me? Who am I to ask them to “share” their followers? When I actually CAN compete with a lower price, I feel bad for making others look over-priced.
- Lack of Support. Okay… I don’t want anyone to take personal offense here. This is my issue and I’m probably not aiming it at anyone in particular. People don’t understand what I’m doing. They think I should be out working for someone else earning a paycheck. They don’t purchase from me. They don’t tell other people what I’m doing. They don’t believe what I’m doing is real, why should I?
- Delay of Gratification. I can spend days on a project or idea and have it go nowhere. If I were working for someone else, I’d still get a paycheck… on a schedule… whether the idea worked or not. I don’t always see immediate results from my work-at-home efforts and I’m impatient.
- Lack of Discipline. I’m not going to get fired if I don’t work. It’s sunny outside and I want to go enjoy it. Who’s gonna stop me? Oh, there’s a sink full of dishes that needs attending to. Let me just finish those up and I’ll get back to the website. I’d better get my workout in before it’s too late. Aren’t I supposed to be spending time with my kids? I know I have to make a schedule… but I don’t have to.
- The Failure List. I HAVE A FAILURE LIST! (And if I sat here long enough, I could make it even longer.) I’m doomed!
Maybe tomorrow I’ll come back and tell myself off for this…
What a great list! Do you feel better having it out in the open? I think that when we have these thoughts cooped up in our brains, they drive us nuts. By releasing them on the world, they lose some of their power.
I’d nix the guilt right off the bat. Networking, commenting on blogs, etc. is how online business is done. It is expected, and I, for one, was absolutely thrilled that you commented on my blog. Starting and keeping a conversation going around someone else’s blog post benefits *both* the commenter and blogger. You really are helping the other person out.
And one of the things I absolutely love about online marketing is the whole sharing mentality and building of community.
And just so you know you’re not alone, I completely relate to just about everything else you said. I really think these are all very normal and usual reactions people have when putting themselves in the public eye and taking risks by starting a business.
Thank you, Sue!
KC, kudos for being brave and opening up about your failure list. I also find myself embracing similar fears.
I know you have that list, but do you also have your success list? The reasons why you CAN succeed?
Remember, what you focus on remains and you get more of it, so if you haven’t yet, think of all the reasons you CAN succeed…and believe me…you CAN!
I know your talent first hand and you have so much to offer, my friend.
very informative article. many indeed don’t succeed in online business because of your cited list. thank you for one great info.