5 Ways to Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt

A lot of people these days just don't understand that being afraid and doubting themselves prevent them from becoming successful. The damage that self-doubt can inflict is especially severe when it prevents potential entrepreneurs with great business ideas from launching their own products and businesses because there are too many risks involved.

The good news is that there are ways to overcome fear. And by using these methods and techniques, you will be able to assess the risks and possibilities with a more objective and accurate perspective,
and you may find the courage to take the necessary steps to succeed in business-and in life.

Here are some of the proven ways to overcome fear and self-doubt that may be hampering your progress. This list gives you questions that you need to answer honestly, so that no unjustified fear or self-doubt can stop you from succeeding:

1. What are you afraid of ? 

The first thing you need to do to find ways to overcome your fears is to first identify each one of them. This means you need to write down each worry and fear, so that you can see it right in front of you. Don't worry about the order, or whether one fear is stronger than the other. You need to be really honest with yourself, because you won't be able to handle any concern that you can't even admit to yourself.

2. Which fears are legitimate, and which fears are just mere excuses ? 

Once you have that list going, identify which ones are real and which fears are just mere excuses for you not to act. Try to be specific if you see a concern that seems a bit vague. For example, any fears of losing money should be clarified so that you can identify how you'll likely to lose your money.

Some fears, although they may seem real to you, are just excuses. For example, the fear of humiliation and embarrassment should you fail is very common, but that shouldn't stop you from materializing your plans and ideas.

3. Do you have a plan ? 

Some psychology experts believe that all fears are variations of fear of the unknown, and being afraid of what you don't know is common and understandable. One of the best ways of overcome your fear of the unknown is to try to know as much as you can about it. 

Do your research and gather data. Then have a plan of action. Try to include as many contingency plans as you can, so that fear won't overcome you when you start experiencing difficulties and facing obstacles.

Take a long look at all your reasonable worries and come up with some possible solutions or courses of action should you experience any one of them. Because nothing in life is easy, chances are one of these fears will really take place, and it's best if you are ready for them.

4. Do you think you're alone ? 

While you can do some things alone, it's hard to handle your own fears if you feel that you're alone all the time. You should get yourself out there instead of shunning any kind of social or business connection. This is called networking, and though business gurus may believe that making personal connections is only good for business transactions, these people serve another important function as well. 

Many of the people you may meet may have the same fears as you-which should give you the feeling that you're not alone in dealing with your kind of fears. 

You can also take comfort in the fact that some of those people have overcome their fears and succeeded in achieving their goals. And if they can do it, so can you.

5. Can you see yourself acting despite your worries ? 

There are three versions of who you are: the person whom you wish to be, the person whom you're afraid to turn into, and the person you really are. 

You need to visualize yourself turning into the person you want to be rather than the person you don't want to be. This takes courage, and you know you have that courage once you decide to act. 

If all of your legitimate worries have been accounted for, then it's time to damn the torpedoes and go full speed ahead. 

Courage isn't about being unafraid, but acting even though you are afraid. Nike said it best: "you just do it if you think it is right."

So here they are, the 5 ways to overcome fear and self-doubt. Acknowledge that you're afraid, create a plan, and take comfort in the fact that others have the same fears and have succeeded, too. 

Then take the plunge and decide to act. Once you act, you are the master of your fears and doubts, and you will be more in control of your own future.

© 2013 Ileana Kane

As an award-winning Sales and Marketing Success Expert, Ileana Kane teaches entrepreneurs world-wide how to start, grow and build a business and life they love while making a positive impact. Grab your FREE audio "7 Secrets to Guarantee Your Business Success" at http://www.ThoughtLeaderBiz.com