Are You Holding Back Your Business?

What if the biggest obstacle in reaching your business goals is you? There are many signs of self-sabotage in business. Here are the top five traps I find myself falling into at times and tips to win over the inner enemy. Do any sound familiar to you? 1. Perfection paralysis Many of us hold off going public with a new project, product or campaign because it’s not quite there. We spend days, weeks, even months on final tweaks and sometimes, these new things never see the light of day. The result: a bunch of ‘nearly ready’ awesome offerings that your community will never know about. You’re missing great opportunities and no doubt feeling stuck and overwhelmed with the need to perfect everything before it’s released. Overcome perfection paralysis by working out what 80% complete looks like and letting yourself share what you have at that point. This doesn’t mean you drop your standards. Getting stuff out there in the market at 80% (and I know your 80% will be pretty damn good) will break you out of the perfection fantasy and give you the energy and sense of accomplishment that will keep you going. 2. Isolation This one is especially an issue for solopreneurs who drive their business on the fuel of their passion alone. When isolated and alone, we lose the benefits of combining our energy with others. Motivation dips, we lose accountability and the business machine slows right down. Nip it in the bud by scheduling in regular meetings and catch-ups – both in person and over the phone or internet. I book in weekly catch-ups even when I’m at my busiest and I force myself out of the office and into new, social environments. A bustling coffee shop or co-working space can spark inspired and creative ideas and get your engine firing again. Don’t forget to tap into your business community networks like the ABN. That’s why you join these groups so make contact. 3. Spreading yourself too thin I’m an expert at this. I love starting stuff. I love the energy that comes with starting something new. I love the creative idea stage and coming up with a winning strategy. Finishing is not my friend. The danger with this scenario is that people like me tend to have a bunch of projects open and started, but not done. Our to do list is ever-growing and we take on more and more. This coupled with the belief that we can do it all is a certain business saboteur. Of course you are clever and are capable of doing everything. That’s not the issue. Ask yourself: is doing everything in my business the best use of my time? Take a look in your network. Is there someone in there better at web building than you? A graphic designer? Would it take them a fraction of the time and effort to do what you need? If cash flow doesn’t allow for outsourcing in traditional ways, consider offering a service exchange. 4. The inner bully There’s a bully in each of us. We are toughest on ourselves, especially at work. We are so quick to criticise ourselves for what we haven’t done rather than acknowledge our achievements. When we beat ourselves up, we are more likely to quit before we reach our goals. What does your self talk sound like? Grow your confidence by completing something – anything – every day. Send the bully to the corner by celebrating your wins, however small. 5. Fear The foundation of everything that holds us back in business – and in life – is this little chestnut. Lack of confidence / fear of failure / fear of success / fear no one will listen to you / worry about what people will think: it’s just plain old fear any way you look at it. We all have it in some form and it’s a tough one to overcome once it gets a hold of you. My tip to deal with fear in business is to trick it. Recognise when it knocks on the door rather than ignore it. Then, get stuck into something. I find fear recedes when I get something done, something finished. The positive feelings that come with accomplishment seem to temporarily knock-down fear. So when you feel fear rising inside, get something – anything – completed. Don’t build up its importance by dwelling on what you are afraid of. Acknowledge it, take a breath, and get busy! Take some time to reflect on your role in your business. If you notice it’s you holding you back from achieving your business goals, don’t chastise yourself. It’s just time to change gear and keep moving.