I have failed so many times -- even before I started my own business.
Remember those times when you were on the idea stages and you kept having those internal battles whether to pursue or not?
Image Credit: Picjumbo, Viktor Hanáček
Now imagine the struggle when you have several ideas and not sure where to start. Such were my struggles even way before I started my business.
Looking back, I think those fears were necessary to help me push harder and truly believe in myself and I'd like to share a few lessons I learned along the way.
1.Validate your idea (even if it means accepting criticisms)
Most people easily fall in love with their ideas right from the ideation to execution.
Some even get blinded by their passion and love for their ideas they don't hear what others tell them. In the early stages of my first business, what really took the most time for launching the business was my fear of validating. What if the idea I've conceived and been holding at the back of my mind wasn't really revolutionary and I would end up giving up on it?
Well, I ended up giving up on it because I didn't have the courage to share it with someone who will be truthful with their assessment.
In my next ventures, I've learned that the best way to overcome your inner fear and internal debates is to share your idea with someone you trust and care enough to tell you when an idea sucks. It could be your college mentor, your best friend or someone from your target market. Unlike your family and relatives, they are likely to be brutal and look at your ideas in the most rational and practical ways, so don't be afraid to approach them and clear your mind with potential confusion and internal battles.
2.Find your ultimate business hero
Think of someone in the industry you're looking to start business in that you admire so much. In my case, I really admire Amy Jo Martin of Digital Royalty.
She's business savvy, influential and has overcame a lot of challenges before she started her business.
Once you've identified that person that constantly inspires you, you will find specific examples from their experiences that will constantly motivate you to keep going especially during the times when you feel like giving up. Such was the case when I broke out of the corporate world and started my own company. Inspired by Amy's story, I reminded myself that anything worth doing wouldn't come easy.
3.Find someone who complements your weaknesses
One of the things I've learned when starting my own business is that you needed a business partner that specializes in things that you don't.
If you happen to be a people's person and hate details, you need to partner up with someone who's completely the opposite so you could cover all bases. Many business owners are usually attracted to partner up with people who are similar to them and while it's pleasant, it's important to partner up with someone who can help you with things you may not be really good at.
I think it's the starting part that we would always be struggling with, but once that's done; you'll thank yourself and those who helped you through.
So identify what's stopping you from starting your own business and plan on how you could overcome them. The fears that we keep on avoiding go unsettled and while masking them may be a quick solution, it's only when we face them that we could conquer and put them at rest.