Face Your Fears: Overcoming Challenges as a Business Owner
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Despite having a doctorate, years of research experience, and tons of professional support, my client Chloe (not real name) could not, would not open up her own research lab. This talented woman wanted to ensure she had enough of this or that before doing anything she perceived as risky. Unfortunately, time was slipping away. It took breast cancer and a divorce for Chloe to realize that playing it safe all the time was actually harming her.
And as an entrepreneur coach, I see stuff like this happen all the time. Brilliant, intelligent people who are not allowing themselves to experiment and grow.
Is that you? Are you a business owner struggling to take risks? If so, in this article, we are going to talk about why avoiding or procrastination doesn’t help, signs your fears are actually hurting you, and how you know you are ready to fight through your fears.
First, let’s talk about procrastination and avoidance, and what’s happening that causes us to run away from the things that are actually designed to help us professionally and/or personally.
Procrastinate or Avoid: If I Just Ignore It Long Enough, Will It Go Away?
As a business owner myself, I have gone through situations that I really did not want to experience: bad hires, purchasing mishaps, just to name a few things.
But there was a moment when I had to do something that seemed absolutely scary, and I didn’t want to do it.
During a coaching session with my coach (yes, coaches need coaches!), he told me a funny story that had a serious point at the end.
“Well, back in my day, me and ol’ Tommy, we’d saddle up our bikes and roam the neighborhood like a couple of wild cowboys. Now, Tommy had himself a little sister, Suzy, who trailed us around like a tumbleweed in the wind. Her mama reckoned we were her built-in babysitters.
Anyhow, that gal couldn’t stand the barkin’ from them neighbor dogs. Every yap had her standin’ stock still, coverin’ her eyes quicker than a jackrabbit in a dust storm. So, one day, I says to her, ‘Suzy, why you always coverin’ them peepers when them dogs holler?’ And what does she come back with? ‘So them dogs won’t see me!’ Now ain’t that a hoot? Kids, they sure got a way of seein’ things, don’t they?”
“So them dogs won’t see her.”
Sounds silly ’cause it sounds irrational, eh?
But are we any different? Do we just think if we can ignore those emails or not answer those messages that they would lose interest? Sometimes. But how is that helping us by not facing our fears head-on.
Just because you don't see the impact, doesn't mean you are not paying a cost for avoiding things that need repair or examination in your life.
How not facing your fears hurts you in the long term
Ignoring problems or delaying tough decisions may seem like a relief in the moment, but it’s like sweeping dirt under the rug—it only piles up and becomes a bigger mess later on.
By dodging challenges, business owners like yourself may miss opportunities to grow, improve, and ultimately succeed. And just because you don’t see the impact, doesn’t mean you are not paying a cost for avoiding things that need repair or examination in your life.
And let me count the ways how it can hurt you professionally and personally:
- Not getting a life coach to help with personal growth and development—it delays self-improvement and may stop reaching personal goals.
- Not fixing customer complaints—it harms your reputation and loses you future business.
- Avoiding budgeting and financial planning—it leads to debt and money problems.
- Ignoring employee feedback—it makes workers unhappy and reduces work quality.
- Putting off needed repairs—it causes expensive damage or breakdowns.
- Skipping important meetings or negotiations—it slows progress and misses opportunities.
- Avoiding tough talks with family or friends—it hurts relationships and causes misunderstandings.
- Not dealing with personal health issues—it gets worse and may lead to big health problems.
If you have more than one story of "I just missed out because I was scared," that is one story too many. Now is the time to ask yourself WHY you felt afraid and your feelings about loss, safety, and security.
There is no simple reason why people avoid facing their fears
These are big issues that are costing us not just time and money but are contributing to our health struggles. I can’t tell you how many of my clients have suffered for years if not decades before they got support and found the help they needed. And the reasons vary.
For some of them, they didn’t face their problems because the pain is normalized. Everyone they know is irritable, volatile, and struggles emotionally. Or maybe they suffer from adult oppositional disorder, or perhaps they just gave up seeking help because the stress, anxiety, or depression felt too overwhelming.
I get it. Life can get in the way, and at times, it seems we are too busy trying to extinguish problems to deal with old trauma issues. And for some of you, you may be thinking your past is too scary to deal with.
Regardless of what happened to you in the past, in the next section, we will discuss the signs that you need to push through your fears.
You know you're feeling stuck when you're unhappy and frustrated about one or more areas in your life. And to make it worse, you know you feel stuck when you have seen others face and overcome your current challenges. These are cues to your mind and soul that it's time to pivot and try something different.
3 Signs It’s Time to Push Forward and Face Your Fears
Recognizing when it’s time to face your fears is important for growth, happiness and overall wellbeing. Here are some signs showing it’s time to tackle your fears:
Sign #1: You feel stuck in your personal or work life
There were many times in my professional life when I wanted to be a good writer but thought it wasn’t within my reach. I saw all these other people writing almost poetically, and I knew I was missing out not just on my income potential but my ability to be more creative.
One day I got tired of it. One day, I summoned up the courage to ask a writer whom I admired for some tips. Their advice? Read and write more.
D’oh! Get more skills and practice what you want to improve.
Anyway, take a good look at your life. See where you know you have a bit more bandwidth to expand.
You know you’re feeling stuck when you’re unhappy and frustrated about one or more areas in your life. And to make it worse, you know you feel stuck when you have seen others face and overcome your current challenges. These are cues to your mind and soul that it’s time to pivot and try something different.
Sign #2: You have a track record of letting good things pass
A former client of mine, who owns a small café, hesitated when a nearby store owner proposed a partnership to promote each other’s businesses. Already feeling scared because of limited funds, he worried it might not work out. He let the opportunity pass, feeling disappointed afterward. Reflecting on his decision with me, he realized he often missed out on good opportunities due to fear.
If you have more than one story of “I just missed out because I was scared,” that is one story too many. Now is the time to ask yourself WHY you felt afraid and your feelings about loss, safety, and security.
Sign #3: You are constantly asking others for their opinions
Once, I was in a business mastermind, and I found myself asking at least five people the same question about a project I wanted to start. One day, I received an email message from the leader telling me that he knew I was asking all these questions and asked when I was going to stop talking and reading and start doing! Oh my, what a kick in the butt!
When you find yourself wanting everyone’s opinion, you know you want to move forward. And that is a good thing! You don’t have to face your fears alone—there are people who care about you and want to help. This support gives you strength and courage to overcome your fears.
You may be reading this and thinking, ‘Well, Denise, this is all well and good, but I am still scared!’ Well, I’ve got your back, friend. In the next section, I will share seven tips for facing your fears in stressful and unfamiliar situations.
It is okay to take a break! Studies have proven that most of us cannot maintain focus beyond 90 minutes at a time. So why are you trying to power through harder than a Duracell battery? Your mind and eyes will thank you!
7 Tips for Facing Your Fears In Stressful Situations
Confronting fear and stress takes guts and grit. Here are some easy tips to handle tough times like a champ:
Tip #1: Practice mindful breathing to restore calmness and clarity.
You don’t have to work mindlessly throughout the day. Take moments to pause. If you have a smartwatch, there may be a function that encourages you to pause and breathe.
Tip #2: Break daunting tasks into manageable chunks.
Who said that all of your projects had to be complete by COB Friday? See what things can be chunked down or even outsourced to someone else.
Tip #3: Talk honestly with people you trust about your concerns.
Some of us are guilty of being a committee of one. Odds are friends, family, partner, or business community would love to help you. Let them know, and they might come up with an idea or two you never even considered.
Tip #4: Cultivate organizational skills to devise a structured action plan.
As a certified project manager, I know that using our time efficiently and effectively is the key the success. All of us have limited time, energy, and resources. That being said, make sure you plan out your day to focus on the most important things.
Tip #5: Embrace periodic breaks to recharge and refocus your energy.
Studies have proven that most of us cannot maintain focus beyond 90 minutes at a time. So why are you trying to power through harder than a Duracell battery? Get up and move your body every hour. Your mind and eyes will thank you!
Tip #6: Shift your focus onto factors within your control while relinquishing those beyond it.
Lots of us have become addicted to trying to control things and people. But rarely do we have control, and trying to do so will ruin your health. Trust yourself and focus on doing the best job you can. I know, easier said than done! But trust me, it’s better for your mental sanity in the long run.
Tip #7: Prioritize self-care through wholesome practices and activities that nourish your well-being.
When was the last time you took a break? Working night and day is a formula for burnout and exhaustion. Pencil in midday yoga or a stroll around your park during the afternoon. It will help you feel refreshed and recharged.
Final thoughts on facing your fears
Overcoming fear and stress is super important for reaching your full potential as a business owner. When you’re brave enough to face uncomfortable stuff and step out of your comfort zone, you open the door to awesome growth and feeling really satisfied in all areas of your life.
If you’re struggling with fear and stress, I’d love for you to join me on a journey to tackle those challenges together. We’ll come up with personalized plans to overcome obstacles and thrive in today’s competitive world.
And hey, don’t forget to check out this episode from my entrepreneur podcast! I talk about practical tips and tricks for dealing with fear and stress in business. Remember, you’re not alone—we’re in this together, ready to redefine success on your own terms.
