Stop Making Excuses, Confront Your Fear and Take Action

Fear and anxiety can sabotage you when you least expect it. You may not even realize that fear and anxiety are holding you back. You think you want something but then you don’t pursue it. You find yourself making excuses on why you are not finishing the task or project. We can sit all day long at our computers and tweak a website, sales copy, or proposal for a client but never actually complete the task. We say we are not finished with it because it is not perfect. We make excuses on why it isn’t finished. Now is the time to stop making excuses and take action.

When working with clients I often see them having great ideas that they never bring to fruition. They are afraid of failure. We have become a society that rewards good behavior and performance and we ridicule those who do not perform well. This learned behavior does not help the small business owner become successful.

The small business owner must be willing to take a risk. He or she must complete tasks and quit striving for perfection. He or she must stay focused on the desired outcome. Many small business owners do not like to follow up with prospective clients because of the fear of rejection. People often become small business owners not realizing that he or she will need to learn to sell his or her own product or service. Fear of rejection and fear of selling keep the business owner from growing his or her own business.

As a small business owner, you must do some self-reflection. Ask yourself why you are not finishing projects. Why are you not following up on leads from networking events? Why are you not asking people to purchase your product or service? What are you afraid of? Are you afraid they will say “no”? Are you afraid the person will hang up the phone on you? I doubt anyone has actually died from embarrassment so I challenge you to pick one thing that you keep putting off and finish it.
If your unfinished task is following up with prospective clients I challenge you design a script that you can read when calling or emailing prospective clients. You must know your intended outcome from the conversation and design your follow up system.

If you are procrastinating on completing a project, break the project into manageable chunks and design a schedule on when you will finish each item.
Stop trying to predict the future. Design a plan for success. Envision your business running smoothly and design the necessary systems and procedures needed so you can turn your dreams into reality. Next, hold yourself accountable for your actions. Take responsibility for your lack of action. Confide in your coach so he or she can hold you accountable and challenge you so you can turn your dreams into reality.