I am currently starting a business and putting a lot at risk to do so, financially speaking. I have some fears around how slowly the income seems to be coming in and how long my cash will last. From the perspective of SOGR, what's the best way to handle these fears?

Thank you Rebecca!

This is helpful and validating. I am definitely taking action, and I do notice that when I'm making progress it brings me joy and satisfaction, and moves me out of fear.

Business is not new to me, so I'm not worried about getting that part right, though of course there is always more to learn.

I've just reached the "action" part of the SOGR course so one thing I am looking forward to is learning more about how to take "efficent action" from Mr W's perspective. I am happy to be taking action, but I am aware that some of it is off-track, too much, or wasted energy. I want to get more clearly focused and efficient. Onward to LL21!

Thanks again

quote:

From the perspective of SOGR, what's the best way to handle these fears?

Action.

Fear can take you out of action, but action can also take you out of fear.

I'm in the process of doing something kind of scary myself. But every time I take a step toward that big adventure, I feel surer, stronger, happier.

Here's the thing. I am not acting OUT of fear. (That's when you take action because you're afraid of what might happen if you don't.)

I am acting ANYWAY, heading in the direction of my desire. Fear could stop me OR I could reframe it and USE it to build my own excitement and enthusiasm -- let that "feeling formerly known as fear" cause me to look for solutions and benefits and amazing possibilities.

You know, riding a big roller coaster can be really frightening. And that is exactly what makes it FUN and exciting.

You say you're starting a business. And in another post here you've mentioned you are currently unemployed and living on unemployment insurance. Well, that can be a blessing or a curse.

It'll be a curse if you just sit around waiting for your business to take off on its own while you go into debt.

But since not having a job means you have a lot of time under your own control, you have the opportunity to learn everything you need to know about building your business, marketing your products or services, making what you offer so PACKED with value it's irresistible, learning the ropes, surrounding yourself with successful businesspeople, masterminding.

And maybe getting a part-time job for a while.

When I started my business in Manhattan years ago, I was nearly clueless about business and I had so little money it was laughable. I just knew I really wanted to be my own boss, provide great services to my clients, and so on. So I went to work all day at my little office, serving the clients I had and learning how to get more (then implementing what I learned).

And at the end of the business day, I closed up shop, got some dinner, and went uptown to my part-time job where I put in four or five more hours.

To someone who just wants a job and a paycheck, that might sound awful. But to someone who really understands that desire to be out there on your own, it makes sense, and THAT person will understand when I say: It felt GREAT!

I loved it! I felt energized by it all. And it worked. When I sold that business eight years later to buy a sailboat and take off, I realized another dream.

Was there a lot of WORK involved? Yes! And it was work I loved and was good at. I did it right up to the moment I realized I was done and no longer felt enthusiasm for it. I was ready for something new.

(I understand NOW that it wasn't my ACTION that caused any success I enjoyed. It was how I FELT because I was taking action: I felt stronger, better, more in control and when you feel those things, your thoughts are definitely aimed in the direction you want to go. Those kinds of thoughts create and attract after their own kind: Success.)

Honestly, I couldn't wish anything better for anyone starting a business.

Oh, except that he or she also have an understanding of these universal principles, a willing spirit, and a can-do attitude that keeps him/her always looking for a way to give more, do it better, and create more value, fun, and satisfaction for everyone involved.

You can do it if you want to! Just jump in with both feet. Your mind and body will be so engaged with what you're building, you won't have time to entertain fear.

And start now, because you will get MUCH better at all this with practice. That makes a fantastic difference in how you will come to see things.