Next week, we’ll carve frightening faces into the pumpkins on our doorsteps, answer the door to children dressed as ghosts and goblins, visit local haunted houses and watch horror films that make us wish we’d left the lights on. While it’s all in good fun, fear is the theme of the day.

As we gear up for Halloween, it’s an appropriate time to think about the fears holding you back from breaking through barriers and achieving greatness in your business. Every business owner experiences fear in their business. For some, fears emerge occasionally when difficulties or opportunities arise; for others, fear is a constant, lurking feeling that is present every day.

Fear causes us to procrastinate, feel overwhelmed and avoid taking action. Learning to identify your fears and conquer them is crucial if you want to become a successful entrepreneur.

Jack Canfield, an entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, says, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” At Celeste Giordano Coaching I have helped many clients work through fears that were preventing them from achieving their business goals. Let’s explore 3 common fears business entrepreneurs face and what you can do to overcome them:

1. Fear of Failure

This is a fear many if not all entrepreneurs experience to some degree. It’s a fear that keeps us on the sidelines in life, holding us back from playing the game and WINNING.

Fear of failure is one of the most commonly experienced fears. Those who fear failure want to play the game, but don’t have the courage to jump in. We contemplate and even obsess about all the ways something could go wrong to the point where we become paralyzed. We don’t make the sales calls we need to make. We don’t accept the invitations to speak at industry events. We don’t take action. When we allow fear of failure to hold us back, we don’t grow and we don’t succeed.

The secret to working through your fear of failure is recognizing that failure is a powerful catalyst for growth. We learn the best lessons when we make mistakes and face stumbling blocks. Napoleon Hill is absolutely right when he says that “Most people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure”. Instead of berating yourself when you make a mistake, start viewing failure as a step in a process toward reaching your goals. Ask yourself: What lesson can I learn from this? And use that knowledge to become better, smarter and stronger.

2. Fear of Financial Troubles

Whether you’re just starting out or trying to take your business to the next level, it’s natural to be concerned about financial security. Being your own boss means you don’t have a boss cutting you a dependable monthly paycheck – and for many business entrepreneurs, that’s scary. Your income depends on the actions YOU take on a daily basis and the decisions you make in your business. While that might make you feel apprehensive, it’s actually a positive thing. You’re in the driver’s seat. You have the ability to put a plan in place that allows you to generate the leads and sales necessary to alleviate financial concerns and build a prosperous Legacy Business.

But to make sure you’re making responsible decisions for your business, it’s important to take control of your financials and educate yourself about money matters. When you have a clear understanding of your finances, you are able to plan for success and avoid ending up in the red. One of the main reasons 8 out of 10 businesses fail in the first 18 months of business is financial ignorance. If you are overwhelmed or confused by your finances, invest in a meeting with an accountant, bookkeeper or financial advisor who can help you develop the basic understanding and skills you need to grow your business without feeling strapped for cash.

3. Fear of Rejection

Like fear of failure, fear of rejection holds us back from setting goals and taking decisive action. We all crave acceptance, especially when you put yourself – your hard work, your creativity, your heart and soul – “out there”. It’s hard not to take rejection personally, but like failure, rejection is a normal and inevitable part of business entrepreneurship. Part of getting past fear of rejection is getting comfortable hearing “No”. Instead of reacting emotionally when you experience rejection, take a few deep breaths and politely ask them to explain “Why”. Why doesn’t your product or service appeal to them? Why are you not the right fit to speak at the upcoming conference? When you listen carefully to their response, rather than arguing or continuing to sell, the insights you’ll get can be invaluable. You can address their objections later, if it’s relevant. But their response to your question is a learning opportunity.

It’s also important to remember the age old adage, “When one door closes, another one opens”. You don’t need acceptance from everyone. The right clients or customers will say “Yes”. The right referral partners or investors will say “Yes”. The right employees and service providers will say “Yes.” The more you invest in your own abilities and skills, the better you will feel and the more confidence you’ll have to push forward past rejection and grow your business.

Is Fear Holding You Back in Your Business?

Fear is actually supposed to help us, not hinder us. It’s the mind’s way of telling us that danger or at least obstacles lay ahead. However, fear can be a destructive, fiery force if we don’t tame it. There is a German proverb that says, “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.”

When I meet with a new client, I identify what “big bad wolves” they are afraid of that are restricting their growth, productivity and success. With the right mindset and strategies, the willingness to get out of your comfort zone, and an action plan in place, it is possible to break past your fears and experience incredible success.

Contact me today at celeste@celestegiordano.com to learn how to tackle your fears head so you can “Double Plus” your income THIS year.

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “double-plus” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with almost 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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