What will people think? What will people say? Those were my main fears when I started my mompreneur gig seven years ago. I was working full time, going to school at night and married with three small children, but having enough time wasn't a fear. I figured that I would make time for what I wanted to do. But the fear of judgement, the fear of alienation, the fear of my family and friends avoiding me and talking about me - that was terrifying to me. So why did I start my business and move through the fear? For three main reasons:
1. I reminded myself that the people I was so afraid were going to judge me were not paying my bills. They were not raising my children, living my life, or taking care of me. So why was I so concerned with what they thought? Truly.
2. If people did judge or criticize me, maybe that was more telling of them than of me. Not everyone needed to join my team or become my customer, but at the very least, people could support me by being kind. If someone was not happy for me branching out and trying something new, that didn't sound like a supportive someone in general, and did I really want unhappy, negative people in my life? Harsh but true.
3. People had laughed at me before, they would do so again, and so far I hadn't died. So why would this time be any different? Prior to starting my business, I had been a paralegal, earned a PhD in Spanish, taught, worked in fundraising, and created culture and language training courses for the military. I have lived in a few different states and countries. Not all of those have been traditional, so-called normal paths, and not everyone has understood my choices. Why was I going to let this time be any different? How short-sighted, right?
So I hopped on board, and my motto was #doitscared. And I did that every single day. No matter what, I reached out to people, many of whom I never would have met had I not had professional goals. I lost 10 pounds my first month in business because in spite of what I told myself rationally, I was afraid. Not everyone was kind, and not everyone was supportive. But the journey has been so worth it. I have reconnected with and met innumerable incredible, supportive people - new and old friends, new team members and new customers.
If fear is holding you back, I encourage you to remember that you have the power to live your life each and every day, so embrace it and go after what you deserve!
1. I reminded myself that the people I was so afraid were going to judge me were not paying my bills. They were not raising my children, living my life, or taking care of me. So why was I so concerned with what they thought? Truly.2. If people did judge or criticize me, maybe that was more telling of them than of me. Not everyone needed to join my team or become my customer, but at the very least, people could support me by being kind. If someone was not happy for me branching out and trying something new, that didn't sound like a supportive someone in general, and did I really want unhappy, negative people in my life? Harsh but true.
3. People had laughed at me before, they would do so again, and so far I hadn't died. So why would this time be any different? Prior to starting my business, I had been a paralegal, earned a PhD in Spanish, taught, worked in fundraising, and created culture and language training courses for the military. I have lived in a few different states and countries. Not all of those have been traditional, so-called normal paths, and not everyone has understood my choices. Why was I going to let this time be any different? How short-sighted, right?
So I hopped on board, and my motto was #doitscared. And I did that every single day. No matter what, I reached out to people, many of whom I never would have met had I not had professional goals. I lost 10 pounds my first month in business because in spite of what I told myself rationally, I was afraid. Not everyone was kind, and not everyone was supportive. But the journey has been so worth it. I have reconnected with and met innumerable incredible, supportive people - new and old friends, new team members and new customers.
If fear is holding you back, I encourage you to remember that you have the power to live your life each and every day, so embrace it and go after what you deserve!
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