If you promised yourself that this year you’d quit your job and finally Escape the 9-5 to create your own successful business, what have you done so far?
I was chatting to a client the other day who is at the very start of her journey into entrepreneurship. She’s still in her 9-5 while she builds her business on the side (which I always recommend where possible) but she’s at the point now where she needs to start getting visible and she’s scared to put herself out there.
I get it! I really do, but if this is a fear for you, also ask yourself where this fear is coming from?
- Is it the fear of your boss finding out and you maybe being in trouble or even getting fired!!?
- Is it the fear of your colleagues finding out and questioning you about it?
- Is it the fear of failure?
- Is it the fear that you don’t think you’re good enough?
- Is it the fear that you don’t feel you’re ready?
Let’s take a look at some of these shall we? …
My dear one, you will always have fear and that’s not a bad thing. If the fear feels expansive I encourage you to press on regardless.
Acknowledge the fear. Heck, even let it come along for the ride but whatever you do, don’t let it take hold of the wheel and direct the decisions you make and the actions you take towards having a business you feel passionate about!
I’ve had a 17 year HR career and I still consult now in HR, so I know I’m right when I tell you that you won’t be in any trouble at work for starting a business on the side. (Unless you are setting up in direct competition to your company or you’re directly poaching your current organisation’s customers which to be honest, you should stop right now if that’s what you’re doing and find your clients elsewhere!)
What’s the worst thing that could happen if your colleagues question you about your side business?
Honestly, they’re either jealous that you have the guts to go after your dreams or they’re just genuinely interested in what you’re doing. Hey, you might even inspire someone else at work to start their own business and through seeing you do it, it makes them feel they can too.
You can have a positive ripple effect for those around you.
The fear of failure and not being good enough, or pretty enough, or talented enough etc etc.. is simply your ego talking to you. It starts to get a bit twitchy when you attempt to push outside of your comfort zone.
There is never a right time to start a business.
I’d love for you to start to see these fears when they come up as positive, because it means you’re on the right path and you’re doing something that will develop you and make you grow as a business owner and an entrepreneur.
There is never a right time to start a business. Honestly. You might think, I’ll wait until the kids have started or left school, I’ll wait until the summer or winter or whatever. I’ll wait until I’ve saved up enough or cleared my debt, I’ll wait until life is less hectic and so on and so on…
No-one is saying you need to start your business full time, right now and go all in. You can start very small, today even.
Create a closed Facebook group, decide on your business name (but don’t get hung up on this!), write down what you want your business to be and who you will serve. Getting it down on paper makes it feel less overwhelming and starts to get you excited too!
There is never a perfect time as there is no such thing as perfect. All it takes is a switch in your perception. Start to see your 9-5 as your investor. This really helps when you really want to quit your job but financially, you can’t just yet.
I hope this has been useful for you. I love to hear from readers so please comment below and let me know your thoughts or join me over in my Facebook group where you’ll find women on the same path as you and lots more goodness!