Turning Self-Doubt into Self-Belief: Mindset Hacks for New Entrepreneurs
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are feeling ready to kick off 2025 with a bang. As I’m recording this, my family has been battling a lingering stomach bug, and as any parent can relate, it’s been a bit of a chaotic start to the year. But despite the craziness, it sparked the perfect topic for today’s episode: self-doubt.
If you're anything like me, you're juggling multiple hats—work, family, and your dream of starting a business. And as exciting as that dream is, it's easy for self-doubt to creep in. Starting a business isn't just about creating emails or building a website—it’s about putting yourself and your vision out there for the world to see, and that can feel intimidating. And for moms, the stakes feel even higher because we’re constantly battling the guilt of taking time away from our families.
But here’s the thing: self-doubt is normal—and it doesn’t have to hold you back. In this post, I’ll share some common fears that new entrepreneurs face and some of the mindset hacks that have helped me overcome self-doubt. Let’s dive in.
Common Fears Every New Entrepreneur Faces
Starting a business is a huge leap, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the fears and doubts that come with it. If you're thinking about starting a business, or you're in the early stages, here are a few common fears you might be grappling with:
Imposter Syndrome: "Who am I to be doing this? I don't have a fancy degree or business experience."
Fear of Failure: "What if this doesn't work? What if I waste all this time and money, and I have nothing to show for it?"
Fear of Judgment: "What will people think? Will they laugh at me for trying to build a business while raising a family? Will my partner think I'm being selfish?"
I’ve been there myself, and I totally get it. But the truth is, these fears don't define your abilities. You’ve already developed so many valuable skills from your full-time job and your life as a mom—skills that can serve as a strong foundation for building your business. The key is to reframe those doubts and take actionable steps to overcome them.
5 Mindset Hacks to Overcome Self-Doubt
Self-doubt doesn’t have to stop you from building the business of your dreams. With the right mindset, you can push through those fears and start seeing real progress. Here are five mindset hacks that have helped me—and they can help you, too.
1. Reframe Self-Doubt as a Sign of Growth
This might sound cheesy, but hear me out: self-doubt is actually a sign that you’re growing. Think about it—when you step outside your comfort zone, you naturally start to feel uncertain. This is part of the process. If you weren’t pushing yourself to try something new, you wouldn’t feel this discomfort. It means you're on the right track.
When I first started my business, I felt like I was constantly battling self-doubt. But I eventually learned to embrace the discomfort and treat it as a positive indicator that I was stepping into new territory. Instead of seeing self-doubt as a roadblock, I learned to see it as a signal that I was growing.
Action Tip: When self-doubt creeps in, pause and acknowledge it. Remind yourself that it’s part of the process, and then take that next step toward your goal. The more you act, the less control self-doubt will have over you.
2. Visualize Your Success
Visualization is a powerful tool, and it’s not just for athletes. When I was training as a behavioral change specialist, I learned that visualization can help entrepreneurs, too. It’s a fantastic way to reinforce your goals and boost your confidence.
Close your eyes and imagine your business running smoothly. Picture your ideal day as a successful entrepreneur. Are you working from home? A coffee shop? How much money are you making? How does it feel to be in control of your time and your business?
Visualization helps you see your success, which can turn self-doubt into self-belief. When you feel overwhelmed or uninspired, take a moment to visualize how it will feel to hit those milestones in your business.
Action Tip: Spend a few minutes every day visualizing your success. Imagine where you want your business to be in six months or a year, and feel the excitement that comes with achieving it. Create a vision board if that helps, or journal your vision to keep it top of mind.
3. Surround Yourself with Supportive People
One of the best things I’ve done for my business is building a tribe of supportive people. The people you surround yourself with have a huge impact on your mindset. If you’re surrounded by people who believe in you and your goals, it will be much easier to believe in yourself.
I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without my coach and my community of other moms who are building businesses alongside me. I’ve said this before, but finding a coach or a group of supportive entrepreneurs was the best decision I made. They don’t just hype you up; they give you valuable feedback, hold you accountable, and remind you of your strengths when self-doubt tries to creep in.
Action Tip: Look for communities or networking groups of entrepreneurs, especially moms who understand what you're going through. If you don’t have one already, check out my group coaching program, The Exit Strategy for Corporate Moms, where you can find a supportive community to grow alongside.
4. Celebrate Small Wins
As a new entrepreneur, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by how much you still have to do. But instead of focusing on everything that’s left to be done, celebrate the small wins along the way. Every step you take toward building your business is a victory.
Whether it’s landing your first client, launching your website, or even just completing a sales page, these are all wins that deserve to be celebrated. When you acknowledge your small successes, you build momentum and keep that self-belief alive.
Action Tip: Start a win journal and write down all of your victories, no matter how small. Review your wins regularly to remind yourself of how far you’ve come.
5. Shift Your Focus from Perfection to Progress
One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face—especially moms—is the desire to do everything perfectly. We often think we need to launch with a perfect website, flawless emails, or a polished Instagram feed. But here’s the truth: nobody starts out perfect.
In fact, the most successful entrepreneurs didn’t get there by waiting for everything to be flawless. They focused on progress, not perfection. Jenna Kutcher, for example, has built a massive empire—but her early work wasn’t perfect. Perfection is the enemy of progress, so it’s time to shift your focus.
Action Tip: Set realistic goals and focus on the next step in front of you, not the mountain ahead. Celebrate your progress, and remember, every step forward counts—even if it’s imperfect.
Building Your Business with Confidence
Self-doubt is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. By reframing your doubts, visualizing your success, surrounding yourself with supportive people, celebrating small wins, and focusing on progress over perfection, you’ll develop the confidence you need to keep moving forward.
If you’re ready to build the business of your dreams but don’t want to do it alone, The Exit Strategy for Corporate Moms is here to help. My group coaching program is designed for busy moms who are juggling work, family, and their business dreams. Together, we’ll tackle the mindset work, time management, and practical steps you need to build a business that fits into your busy life.
