February is around the corner! Yikes! If you're anything like me, you had great intentions of starting the year with a bang. This is the year to turn passion into profit, no more excuses. But, a series of expensive and negative events have left me feeling a little daunted and opened the door for the old doubts have crept in. That inner voice that tells me that I should face reality and stop dreaming…
"Would you listen to yourself! You call yourself a business coach!" shouts the bolder me.
"Erm, ja, about that. OK", says the afraid me.
A friend and colleague, Nicci Stewart, described how she spoke at an international conference recently and she had to #DoItScared.
Here Are Some Thoughts on "Doing It Scared"
Self-doubt can be a persistent obstacle for entrepreneurs, side-hustlers, and employees alike. It can make you question your abilities and undermine your confidence. However, it's crucial to remember that even the most successful individuals have faced similar challenges. This article aims to inspire you by sharing the stories of notable women and entrepreneurs, who triumphed despite their self-doubt. Their journeys can teach us valuable lessons about resilience, determination and the power of just getting started.
The Invisible Barrier
Self-doubt often manifests as an internal barrier, making it difficult to take risks or pursue opportunities. However, it's essential to recognise that overcoming self-doubt is a shared experience among many successful people. The key is not to eliminate self-doubt but to learn how to manage and overcome it.
The Common Faces of Self-Doubt
Self-doubt manifests in various ways, especially for women navigating entrepreneurial or professional spaces:
- Fear of Failure: "What if I try and fail? What will people say?"
- Imposter Syndrome: "I don't belong here. People will soon find out I'm not as good as they think."
- Perfectionism: "I can't launch my product or idea until it's flawless."
- Balancing Responsibilities: "How can I balance my side hustle, a full-time job and family responsibilities? I'm not Superman/Wonder Woman"
- Lack of Representation: "There aren't many people like me succeeding in this space. What chance have I got?"
These doubts are not unique to women but can often be amplified by gender expectations and cultural norms.
Stories of Resilience: The kitchen is a good place to start!
Let's explore a few local success stories of individuals who overcame self-doubt and achieved incredible success:
- Basetsana Kumalo Basetsana Kumalo, crowned Miss South Africa in 1994 Kumalo has built a successful career in media and business. She co-founded Tswelopele Productions, which produces the popular South African TV show "Top Billing". In 1999 Tswelopele Productions was listed on the JSE and Basetsana became one of the youngest black women directors to be part of the mainstream South African economy. She overcame racism, sexism and even a stalker. Talk about shattering glass ceilings!
- Stella Ciolli Founder of Skoon Skincare began in her kitchen, (as did we at Essentially Natural!) crafting products using local ingredients and a commitment to sustainability. "A little bit of my soul is embedded in each product… I'm not selling a product; I'm selling a tiny particle of my soul." Despite initial hurdles, they have gained national recognition and loyal customer bases, proving homegrown ideas can flourish.
- Louiza Rademan and Christine Buchanan, founders of Oh-Lief, began by making safe and natural products for family and friends. They also started in the kitchen! They doubted whether their natural, locally made formulations could compete with international brands-a trade show and winning the Standard Bank's 2014 Startup competition showed them they were wrong.
