Belief is everything, especially when it comes to trying something we've never done before.
For many Part Time Entrepreneurs, this may be the first time that they've ventured into the world of Online Marketing looking to break free of the shackles of traditional employment.
This shift from employee to entrepreneur is 90% mental and 10% physical.
In fact, I would say that it's the mental aspects of entrepreneurship that results in most people quitting before they realize their goals, choosing instead to go back to traditional jobs that somehow feel more safe and comfortable.
Today, I want to talk about 7 self limiting beliefs that Part Time Entrepreneurs MUST overcome if he/she wants to make money online in 2015 and beyond.
7 Self Limiting Beliefs That Will Squash Your Dreams
1. I don't have enough time
Listen, we're all busy. But if you want something bad enough, you will find the time.
I believe it's simply a matter of priorities. When building your own business becomes a top priority in your life, when you place it just below breathing and your family, then you'll find the time to work on your business.
And the simple truth is this: The amount of time you have to devote to your business is not nearly as important as what you do with that time.
This is my best resource I have for you on getting the most out of your limited time.
2. I can't compete with Full Time Marketers
Who said it's a competition? You're really not competing against anyone but yourself.
There are more than enough prospects or potential customers out there in the World for everyone. The trick is to find your niche and work on attracting those that want what you have to offer.
And don't get fooled into thinking that Full Time Marketers are somehow more serious about their business than Part Timers.
Nothing is further from the truth.
3. Working for myself would be too risky
It IS risky, but no riskier than any traditional job in today's economy.
I hold a high level healthcare position in a major NY hospital, one that is probably more secure than most.
But I know that tomorrow the economy could take a turn for the worse, our patient base could dry up and I'd be left with a handshake, a thank you for your hard work and a trip to the unemployment office.
All of us with traditional jobs are in the same boat.
There is no such thing as safety and stability in today's economy.
So get over the risk factors associated with starting your own business.
Think of it like this — if nothing else, you are creating a safety net for you and your family should that secure traditional job of yours suddenly disappear.
When you think of it like that, starting your own business seems far less risky and much more important to the financial security of your family.
4. My co-workers will laugh at me
This one was tough for me. As someone in science, my colleagues often wonder what the heck I'm doing by starting an online business. They think I've lost my marbles!
But here's one thought — who says you have to tell them in the first place?
There really is no need to divulge this part of your life if you don't want to.
I personally think that it's a really bad idea to recruit or sell to coworkers in the first place. And if your coworkers do find out and poke some fun at you, so what?
You'll be the one laughing when you choose to fire your boss and they're still working their 9-5 job until the day they retire.
5. I'm not good at selling
This is one of the most common self limiting beliefs and it's one that I still have problems with, to be honest.
But the truth is that we ALL sell, all the time — we sell ourselves!
- We sell ourselves when we're trying to convince someone to go out on a date.
- We sell ourselves when we're interviewing for a job.
- We sell ourselves as authority figures to our kids so they'll listen to and respect us.
Selling as a Part Time Entrepreneur is no different — we sell ourselves as the person who can help others realize their dreams.
You ARE good at selling — you just don't know it!
6. I'll never understand this new technology
This one and the next are self limiting beliefs that are particularly prevalent with older folks like myself.
We look at all this new technology, seemingly changing everyday and we're left to wonder if we'll EVER understand it.
And the answer is — YES and NO.
Yes, you will understand new technologies because you'll need to in order to succeed online.
But that doesn't mean you're on your own. There's help everywhere online nowadays, some free and some paid.
And don't forget your greatest resource when it comes to learning new technologies — your KIDS! (or nieces/nephews).
They grew up with this stuff and are usually thrilled to teach the adults for a change!
No, because you don't need to learn all the new technologies.
If you can learn how to search online, how to send emails, how to start a blog and how to make a video, you'll be well on your way to succeeding online.
Sound overwheming?
It is if you try to do it all at once, but broken down into smaller pieces it becomes much more manageable.
When I first started online a few years ago, all I could do was turn on my computer and maybe send an email.
Now, I am all over the Internet — blogging, on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, and even making the occasional video.
If I can do it, so can you!
7. It's too late for me
This one's simple — no, it's never too late.
I've seen 70 and 80 year old people who choose to start an online business and are successful at doing so!
So why can't you? What's your excuse?
You don't need to be a class valedictorian or have a Master of Science in Management to become a successful Entrepreneur, although education is always a good thing.
Rather, you need a belief that you can do it, the drive to stick with it when things get tough, and a teacher to show you the ropes.
Marketing Takeaway
Self limiting beliefs can kill your online business venture before you even start. We all face them… and it's only those that actively work to overcome them who succeed in building a profitable business.
What are the self limiting beliefs that are holding YOU back?
To your success and happiness!
Dr. Bob
Creator of The Part Time Business Blueprint
Email: bob@bobandrosemary.com
Skype: drbobclarke
P.S. If you want more FREE Tips and Strategies for Building A Successful Business with Limited Time, check out my flagship training…
15 replies to "Part Time Entrepreneurs: 7 Self Limiting Beliefs That Will Keep You Stuck!"
Good site you have here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours these days. I honestly appreciate individuals like you. Take care..
You crushed all those negative thoughts delightfully well… Nobody really has an excuse not to succeed.
I agree, Roger… beliefs are just that — those that we believe to hold true.
Did any of these self limiting beliefs hold any special significance for you, Roger? What’s been holding you back (if anything)?
It is right that full time blogger is more dedicated that a part time blogger but real taste of business is in fearless actions.
Fearless action, very true Azhar.
Not sure I agree that a full time blogger is more dedicated than a part time blogger. It’s the consistency of effort that matters, in my opinion.
For example, I blog part time but I am very dedicated to my craft. The successes I see come somewhat slower than my full time counterparts, but the consistent effort definitely pulls me forward towards my goals.
Is that what you meant?
Thanks for sharing, Azhar.
Hey Bob,
Limiting beliefs is the main reason for not reaching our true potential in my opinion.
We always get what we think is possible for us.
1. We don’t have equal opportunities, financial situations, IQ …etc. But we do have the same 24hrs a day no matter what walk of life you’re from .
2. Cloning ourselves through outsourcing could offer solution to that challenge.
3. Having a job is a LOT riskier; especially where you have absolutely no control of what ‘s gonna go down.
4. That’s just another distraction that weakens us. I really don’t care what other people say or think of me. As the saying goes: ” What others think of my is none of my business.”
5. We only have to worry about the technology that effects our business. I filter out what’s important and move on. I don’t know about you Bob, but I want to learn some of the geeky stuff myself. It does interest me.
6. My mom enrolled in a college at age 60. That’s all I have to say about that.
We gotta stop looking for excuses for not doing things we want to do; because if we’re keep looking we sure enough will keep finding things we don’t want to find.
Excellent share!
best
Akos
Hey Akos,
I love your answers to these self limiting beliefs. But I especially like what you said at the end of your comment…
“We gotta stop looking for excuses for not doing things we want to do; because if we’re keep looking we sure enough will keep finding things we don’t want to find.”
Excuses are everywhere, can be found around every corner if we let them creep in.
Stop making excuses — start making your dreams come true!
Appreciate your contributions and insights, Akos!
7 Self Limiting Beliefs That Will Prevent You From Succeeding in 2012…
The likelihood of Part Time Entrepreneurs building a successful online business will depend on overcoming these 7 self limiting beliefs. Can you identify any of these within yourself? They may be holding you back from big success in 2012….
Encouraging post to break the ice. There are many talented people but fear on the points you have mentioned here. Especially those are occupied with full-time job should be encouraged to get rid of some misconceptions.
Misconceptions and fears often stop those most talented.. it’s a shame.
But taking one step out of your comfort zone to try something new — just one — and getting rid of unproven misconceptions can be just the break needed to propel you forward.
Thanks for your insights, Jane…. Happy New Year!
I agree Bob, great post. A lot of these self limiting beliefs we’ve all told ourselves at one point or another. To me it all boils down to whether or not you want something bad enough.
Do you really want a better life for your family? Do you really want to be able to send your kids to college? Do you want to be able to take care of your elderly parents? If you want something bad enough then you will work on yourself enough to understand that everything you’ve mentioned above is just the fear talking. The fear of the unknown.
If you want something bad enough you’ll move through the fear and do it anyway. Stop with all the excuses because that’s all they really are. But then again, you must not want a better life bad enough because the excuses are more important than your future.
Hope you are having a great week Bob and Happy New Year! Here is to our future!
~Adrienne
Here’s mine – “Who said you were good anyway?”
Great post! I met a lot of people especially in the network marketing biz who have this pessimistic perceptions. Most of them were doing good at the beginning but in the middle of the road they began to procrastinate and just lost the motivation to keep on going.
I believe that our successes can’t be measured based on what we’ve earned but rather it is measured on how we pull ourselves up whenever we feel down.
Hey Bob,
Awesome post!
These limiting beliefs are present not only in the online business arena but also in every other area of life.
Fact: they are all made up in our mind..a reaction based of fear of letting the higher self shine in the world.
When I notice these thoughts running in my head I stop and say: hey, this is not me, is BS. I accept them but without choosing to take action upon them.
Right on target with #3. The risk of not doing what you love or being controled by fear and circumstances is far more bigger than the risk of building your business without having a success warranty.
None of the top achievers of this world be it multi billionaire, spiritual master, actor,dancer, golfer etc didn’t get incredible results by playing safe. It’s just an obvious fact.
An no, it’s never too late to live your life to the fullest and recreate it from the ground if necessary 🙂
Thanks for sharing such a great post! Keep them coming in 2012:)
Best,
Radu
Hi Bob,
Luv each of the tips. Amazing, the baggage many of us carry, baggage that only comes to the surface after reading posts like yours or doing some serious soul searching.
As for risk I heard a neat quote from a Bob Proctor CD: “Something is always at stake. We can only decide which risks to take.” I focus on opportunities over risks. I could have looked at the $500 I plunked down to begin prospering online as a risk, or as a tiny price to pay for a massive Big Picture I developed in mind. I chose to think Big Picture, so the 500 smackers, even though I had to hustle to scrounge it up, as an unemployed security guard, was really nothing. I always had a vision and was fairly immune to the concept of risk because I chose to see opportunity.
Thanks for sharing your insight Bob. Happy Holidays 🙂
RB