Ever think of starting your own business?

It’s nice to daydream, isn’t it?

But, if you’re like many would-be entrepreneurs, you might have trouble taking the plunge.

First, Imposter Syndrome sets in, followed by dread. Then, you insidiously start talking yourself out of it.

“I’m so comfortable where I’m at right now, maybe I shouldn’t push my luck,” you might tell yourself.

Or, you might say, “I don’t want to sacrifice time away from my family”.

“It will be years before I make enough money.”

“I don’t know anything about running my own business.”

All this negative self-talk can be enough to crush your dreams of owning your own company.

But what you might not realize is that while launching your own business is indeed hard work, it is very worth it. Done right, it can be a life-changing decision.

Here are 4 common ways we talk ourselves out of starting our own business and why you should take a leap of faith anyway…

 

1.    You can get used to discomfort

 

One of the biggest displeasures we hear about owning your own business is the unpredictability.

Working for someone else ensures a steady paycheck, and when you have responsibilities and bills, why would you want to give up that assurance – right?

Well, guess what? If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that unpredictable things happen to everyone.

Employed people everywhere lost their jobs, or were forced into hiatus, or less than desirable working conditions.

Self-employed people also had their challenges, but they were better positioned to call their own shots. They could pivot and adapt with more flexibility because they worked for themselves.

No one likes to be uncomfortable, but learning how to roll with unpredictability is a skill worth learning – and it CAN be learned.

So, if your reason for staying in a 9-to-5 job is because it’s “comfortable” think again. Anything worth having is going to stretch you sooner or later.

 

2.    You’ll have more time with your family

 

We constantly hear about the proverbial self-absorbed business owner who is constantly buried in work because their business is their life.

But the truth is, if someone is going to succumb to workaholism and use work as a distraction from their life – they are going to do that whether they work for someone else or for themselves.

And actually, by running your own business, you can schedule work around your personal life.

That means more time for your family, your mental and physical health, and your hobbies and interests.

Working all hours of the day is sometimes necessary when you are an entrepreneur. In the beginning, it could be a means to an end, but in the bigger picture, it is a choice.

A smart business owner knows that working 24-7 is not sustainable and will figure out a way to balance work with life… something that can actually be harder to do if you work for someone else.

 

3.    You will make enough money

 

You might not make big bucks as soon as you launch your business, but with a plan and dedication, there is no reason why you can’t get there.

For one, entrepreneurs are more in control of their income than most people, in that they can create multiple revenue streams and passive revenue streams if they choose.

Another consideration is that when you are a business owner, your definition of “enough money” might change.

Remember, your costs for working for someone else – including clothing, commuting, dining out, and daycare – are going to significantly reduce if you want them to. And, if you work from home, you will likely be able to write off a lot of expenses. So, your definition of “enough money” might change.

And really, even if you’re not quite making as much as your employed counterparts, if you are a business owner, the other reasons for striking out on your own will make up for it.

 

4.    When it comes to running a business, everyone is constantly learning

 

If you’re hesitating to start a business because you don’t think you know enough about business, think again.

The truth is, the best way to learn how to run a business is to just start and make some mistakes.

When you fall (and you will), you get up again and keep going.

There are many courses you can take (online and offline) and you can read books and hire a mentor – those are all helpful – but at the end of the day, you are going to learn most of all by doing.

There are many ways to run a business, and in the end, you have to figure out works for you. No amount if training or education is going to figure that out for you.

To be a business owner means constantly learning and adapting.

If you really want to start a business and have what it takes, don’t let anyone talk you out of it for weak reasons. Don’t be afraid of unpredictability or long hours away from your family. Don’t worry about never making enough money, or that you don’t know anything about running a business. These are all challenges that are fixable. With the right tools and dedication, you can launch a business despite these common doubts.