How to fix the mental hurdles that stop your business success

I dealt a lot in my life with the issue of shyness, being insecure, and not valuing myself. After working through those for myself and with many other women facing similar issues in their life and business — and knowing that these things can be changed — I became aware of some recurring mental hurdles women seem to come up against at different times in their business or careers.

Whether you are starting out in business, desiring a change of career, or are looking to reach that next level of success, here are three ways you can address mental hurdles and limits in your business life – and go beyond them with ease:

Regularly re-assess your big picturebusi

When we have reached a level of success where there is no more “survival” pressure moneywise, and no more having to prove our value in the world or with our business, we can experience a kind of ‘void’ we don’t usually talk about because it makes no sense to others.

Maybe you have reached your initial business goals or achieved the kind of success everyone else sees as optimal.  But you know there is more. So, what next?

First, take a look at each one of your successes and fully appreciate them. Recall the sense of what it was for you when you achieved it and take a moment to be grateful for you and your capacities.  From here, take time to ask some questions and begin expanding your life and business: Ask, “What more can I create? What is it that can come to fruition? What would I like to add to my life and business that I haven’t considered.”  Ask these questions often, even daily.

Don’t listen to the reasons “Why Not”

When you go to start your business, or job interview, or a project, others may tell you, “It won’t work. You can’t do that.” Maybe you have heard that it’s harder for women to start businesses, or you think it’s too late to change career in your 40s.  Forget about the “Why not”s and tune into the voices of those who made it. Find the people and stories that inspire you. Then, do it your way. Take some action towards your targets. Take little steps forward every day. Allow your confidence to grow with each achievement.  Don’t wait until you are totally comfortable about certain things either, just start moving and you will be surprised with what you can create!

Stop judging you

When it comes to being successful in business, we are often our own worst critics. What if you stopped stopping yourself with those self-judgements? Some women can judge themselves so harshly about their looks, their body, their age, their capacities, the way they are with people and in the world that they don’t give themselves a chance either to start or move forward. What if those judgements, and criticism about yourself were just points of view in your mind that you can choose to end right now? How many opportunities have you not taken because you decided up front you couldn’t? Stop giving in to judgements of you and don’t let them dictate your life and behavior. Next time you catch yourself with one of those thoughts, raise a big STOP sign! It might take a lot of practice, but you are worth the effort.

In whatever area your potential business may be, trust your vision and believe in your ability to create success. If you can perceive a dream for yourself, you can achieve it, so why not go for it?