Latest / Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs / 51: The one thing that stops progression and how to overcome it

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51: The one thing that stops progression and how to overcome it · Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to the Digit She Does It Show.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: This is episode 51, and in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about the one thing that can stop progression in business and how to overcome it.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: So let's jump right in and get started.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host Karen and I'm here to lift the lid on what it actually takes to create a successful business.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: If you are an ambitious creative ready to build a business on your own terms and without compromise, then this podcast is perfect for you.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: With my award-winning approach to marketing and expert knowledge in creating online courses, this show will leave you feeling inspired, energized, and ready to bring those big dreams to life.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Join me each week for a dose of motivation and marketing know-how, along with actionable step-by-step strategies to help you accelerate your business's growth.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: So let's dive in and don't forget to subscribe to all my upcoming episodes, which drop every Wednesday.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: This resource hub is completely free and contains lots of free resources, templates, and tools to help you grow your business.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Now I've had created so many templates over the years, so many resources to support my clients that rather than it sitting on a shelf collecting digital dust, I thought I would put it in the hub and then you can benefit from those templates.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're interested in going and having a look, downloading some stuff to help you, then head over to marketplace.pink lemondigital.com.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: That's marketplace.pink lemondigital.com and go and check it out.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: I will be adding some new resources in the future.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: But what I have created will help you to get unstuck and move forward in your business.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: I will put the link in the show notes as well, but head over to the marketplace.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: You can get it via my website as well, which is www.pink-lemondigital.com and go and sign up.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: As I said, it's completely free, it's there for you to go and enjoy.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so let's jump into today's episode, and today I'm talking about the one thing that can really stop progression in business and how to overcome it.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: And that one thing that so many of us entrepreneurs struggle with is overthinking.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: Now, the reason for this episode is because this is something that I have been experiencing of late, and I I never used to.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: When I was younger, I used to be quite impulsive, I used to be really um firm on my decision making process.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: If I wanted to do something, then I would go and do it.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: I wouldn't sit and overthink, I would just do it.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_00: Now I don't know if it's because I'm a mum, so I've got the pressure of constantly having to write make the right decisions for what's best for my family, or if it's because I'm a business owner and therefore, again, you know, the stakes are higher now, there's more to play for, so to speak, but I do catch myself over-analysing with decisions that I need to make, and it drives me mad.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: I was having a conversation with my husband at the weekend because I've got this opportunity to go out to LA in December.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_00: So somebody that I um who inspires me, they are holding a big three-day event um over in Orange County in LA at the beginning of December, and it's going to be an amazing event.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: I know it's going to be an amazing event, and I had even said to my husband, probably about two, three months ago, that if this person brought out an event, an in-person event, I would want to go.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: Um, it's all about you know, digital business, online marketing, all of this good stuff that I just absolutely love learning about, and so so it's absolutely right up my street.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm part of their big program, and the stuff that I get access to is just incredible.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: What I love about them is that they're not just talking about online business and um, you know, creating sustainable businesses, it's it's all about the mindset and and the in the stuff that goes on internally, which is so important for us entrepreneurs because our businesses are where they are based on how we feel about our business internally.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: So, where we are on the journey, our businesses are a reflection of that.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: So I love the fact that they bring in a spiritual element into how they teach, and I know that this event will be amazing, but for some reason I haven't booked my tickets, even though my husband says to me, Go and book your tickets.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: So I've looked at the airfare and I've looked at hotels and all of that stuff, but I haven't done anything, I haven't taken action.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: And I was sitting there thinking, What what is going on?
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: Why why am I not doing this?
• 6:36
  SPEAKER_00: Because I know I want to go, but but I'm not following through with the action that I need to take.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_00: And and I think one of the things that probably is holding me back is that I'm overthinking it.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not, I'm just that it's as simple as that.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: I'm overthinking it.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: I should just go and book it, then I'm done.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_00: So I think going through this um scenario, so to speak, has just made me think about other aspects of my life that I spend too long thinking about.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: That when I take action and I implement, things happen.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_00: It's that sitting there thinking about it that drives me absolutely crazy.
• 7:15
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, I took two years to launch my podcast because I literally sat there thinking about it over and over again, thinking about all the reasons not to do it rather than the reasons to do it.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: It drives me absolutely potty.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_00: Anyway, I'm sure I'm not alone with this, and I know from conversations that I've had with sort of fellow entrepreneurs that this is something that I suspect we're probably all guilty of.
• 7:41
  SPEAKER_00: So, why does it happen?
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_00: Why do we overthink things and make things that little bit more complicated?
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it really boils down to not just one thing, I think there are many reasons why we do overthink when when decisions need to be made.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: And I think a common reason is fear.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: Fear of making the wrong decision and then facing negative consequences.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: When we make these decisions, we're it's not just something that affects us, it affects our business.
• 8:18
  SPEAKER_00: So that can then add additional pressure to choosing the right course of action to take.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: So you've got the fear aspect of it, and then you've got the the pressure of making sure that the decisions that you're making are the right ones.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_00: I think additionally, we live in a really fast-paced world, and there are so many decisions to be made at any given time, and that can just lead to overwhelm, to you know, we almost have too much information at our fingertips because it can make it really difficult to assess the situation and then to determine the best course of action, because there could be many ways in which to go, and I think also if you are somebody that also deals with personal traits like perfectionism, or you have a desire to control everything, then that equally leads to overthinking as well.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: So it can be really challenging if you are somebody that just wants to be in control and wants everything to go in the right way all of the time.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_00: And I think also if you're of that mindset, and I know I am, I'm completely of that mindset.
• 9:39
  SPEAKER_00: I like to be firmly in control.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: The thought of something going wrong can can lead to that fear, which then leads to no action being taken because you'd rather not take action than to take action and to then get it wrong.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't think there's any one thing, I think there's a multitude of things that can contribute to overthinking.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: The problem with overthinking is that it can be harmful because it can lead to analysis paralysis, which can then lead to delays in decision making, which of course is not ideal when you're running it running a business and you're having to make quick decisions all of the time.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: We have to predominantly stop worrying about all the things that could go wrong and then focus solely on the positive outcomes.
• 10:29
  SPEAKER_00: But of course, if you're anything like me, it is easier said than done because that fear of not getting of getting something wrong is often the thing that is the most challenging.
• 10:42
  SPEAKER_00: So, in today's episode, I just wanted to um share three tips on how you can get out of your own way and stop overthinking so that you can make progress in your business.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: So, my first tip is about setting clear goals.
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_00: Obviously, we all know in business that we need to have goals because goals help us to focus.
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_00: When we have really clear goals, we know what we want to achieve.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_00: So it starts to make that process easier because you know exactly where you're heading.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_00: You can then focus your efforts and energies on what truly matters.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: So rather than getting sidetracked by other things that don't matter, you can focus solely on what you need to do to achieve your goals.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_00: So it's about focusing on specific objectives that's going to actually move the needle in your business.
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_00: This then allows obviously for you to prioritize your time, your resources, and your activities around achieving those goals.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_00: And then, of course, this then leads to that greater sense of purpose, motivation, and productivity.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_00: So goals are really important.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: So I think by setting clear goals, it's going to help focus your mindset.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, for me, with this event that I've obviously been sort of thinking about, it does align really well with my goals because I'm somebody that wants to learn.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_00: I love working in the online space, I love business, I'm like I'm like a sponge, I like taking everything in, I like playing with things and implementing things and seeing how things go.
• 12:27
  SPEAKER_00: And and so the the event is a no-brainer.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: So I know that by going, it's gonna align really nicely with my goals because I know my goals, I've got really clear goals on what I want to achieve.
• 12:42
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are finding that you are struggling to make decisions in your business, then go back to your goals and ask yourself: will this align with the goals that you have set for yourself?
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: Do those goals align with your vision?
• 13:00
  SPEAKER_00: If you're confident that they do align with your vision and they are the goals that you need to be heading towards, and your decision is going to help you move you forward, then you know what you need to do.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_00: But I think setting clear goals is really important, it's also going to help boost your confidence and your self-esteem because as you achieve your goals, you're going to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in yourself because you've done that, and this is going to motivate you to achieve even more goals in the future.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_00: Now, one of the things that I use, a tool that I really enjoy using, is a planner.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: It's not an online planner, it's a pay uh planner you write in.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I've been using planners for quite a long time, and usually I use a daily greatness business planner.
• 13:58
  SPEAKER_00: So, this is a brand, for those of you who don't know, it's a brand that you can get online, it's absolutely brilliant.
• 14:04
  SPEAKER_00: They do these amazing planners, and you can have them in you know, for your health, your wellness, for parenting.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_00: There's loads of different areas that you can get a planner in.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_00: Well, I've always invested in the business planner, but I've since started using another planner which is called Clever Fox.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_00: And the only reason being is that the um Daily Greatness Business Planner is a little bit heavy and it's quite big, and I want to have something that I can carry around in my bag.
• 14:34
  SPEAKER_00: But what I really like about it, it's a place where you can really get clear on what your goals are, and then you can write down goals on a weekly and daily basis, and that helps me to stay focused.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: And what I like about it is that I can make notes around my goals as well.
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_00: You know, when you get those light bulb moments, it's a place where I can jot them all down so that I can go back to them at the later day.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_00: But I find that having a planner that I write in keeps me connected to my goals and it helps me to stay focused, motivated, and on track.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_00: It also keeps my mind clear as well.
• 15:15
  SPEAKER_00: So if you haven't got one already, one of the things that I do highly recommend is go and buy a business planner online.
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_00: You can get them on Amazon, they're not overly expensive.
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_00: I think the planner I've recently bought is£15, so it's not a lot of money at all, but it's a really great tool to use just to help you to streamline your thoughts, get clear on your goals, and ultimately help you stay focused.
• 15:42
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my second tip is about only focusing on the solution and not the problem.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_00: Because I think sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in the problem and not the solution, and we need to reshift our mindset to think about the solution, not the problem.
• 16:02
  SPEAKER_00: So, what we need to do is we need to challenge the thoughts that we're having and make sure that our thoughts are positive.
• 16:12
  SPEAKER_00: Because when we focus on the solution to the problem we're experiencing, we then shift our minds into a more positive state.
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_00: So that's going to raise our vibration, it's going to make us feel better, and it's going to keep us focused on what we need to focus our energies on.
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_00: Now, focusing on positive outcomes is going to enable you to stay more optimistic, and it's going to give you a constructive outlook on life.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: So rather than sitting in the negative, if you concentrate on what go is going to go right instead of what could go wrong, then you're most likely going to take positive action towards achieving your goals.
• 16:57
  SPEAKER_00: I think by focusing on the solution and a positive outcome, you're going to naturally reduce stress and anxiety, and it's going to help you to shift your attention away from those negative consequences that we can get caught up in.
• 17:16
  SPEAKER_00: And what it will also do, it will put your head in the space of thinking about the positive benefits and opportunities that's going to come your way from the decisions that you're then going to make.
• 17:29
  SPEAKER_00: So we need to be focusing on the solution, we need to be keeping our mindset in a positive state so that we can focus on the things that matter and not the things that could go wrong.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_00: Focusing on solutions can be a powerful tool for success in any business.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_00: By staying positive, it means that you're going to be more proactive to overcoming those challenges and to improving your situation so that you can achieve the goals that you've set for yourself.
• 18:05
  SPEAKER_00: So only focus on the solution and not the problem.
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_00: And my third and final tip is about taking action, however small.
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_00: Now I know this might seem obvious, but how many times have you sat there and overanalysed an outcome which has left you so mentally exhausted that you don't end up taking any action?
• 18:29
  SPEAKER_00: And I think sometimes when we're not sure what to do, we can end up not doing anything at all, which you know just ends up stunting our growth and sabotaging our own success.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_00: Now I talk to so many entrepreneurs who, when it comes to creating online courses, they're so unsure about what topic they want to choose for their online course.
• 18:51
  SPEAKER_00: It boils down to the fact that they've got so much to teach and they just don't know what topic to start with.
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_00: But what then tends to happen is that because they're overwhelmed by the amount of choices that they have, they don't end up creating their online course because they're so rooted in fear of making the wrong decision.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_00: But here's the thing: by not taking action, by not doing anything, you're hindering your own success and you're leaving money on the table as well, so you're not growing your business.
• 19:24
  SPEAKER_00: Now there are so many ways to find out if something is going to work or not.
• 19:30
  SPEAKER_00: But I think first and foremost, you have to be open to the idea that sometimes you have to explore different avenues before you find the right route.
• 19:41
  SPEAKER_00: Because I don't think in business is a magic bullet, I think a lot of business success boils down to trial and error.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_00: And so, as entrepreneurs, what we have to do is be open to making mistakes, and we have to be okay with that because that's the only way that we're really going to learn what's going to work.
• 20:02
  SPEAKER_00: And I think if you sit there and not do anything and you worry about getting things wrong, you end up missing out, and you end up with a business that is just sitting there stagnant, not growing.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_00: And so I think it's all about taking action of some kind.
• 20:21
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't matter how small that step is, I think you just have to take a step forward.
• 20:27
  SPEAKER_00: Now it doesn't really matter what type of business you have.
• 20:30
  SPEAKER_00: I think in order to stay relevant in today's fast-paced business world, you do need to constantly evolve what you're doing.
• 20:40
  SPEAKER_00: What worked five years ago is not necessarily going to work today.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_00: So again, we need to adopt this open-mindedness of what it is that we could be doing to support our businesses, and of course, with that comes fear because when you step into something new, there is going to be fear around it because you've never done it before.
• 21:02
  SPEAKER_00: It's something new that you're experiencing for the first time, but that's okay, and we also need to be okay with things being uncomfortable.
• 21:12
  SPEAKER_00: For the past couple of years, I feel like I've spent my entire career feeling uncomfortable.
• 21:17
  SPEAKER_00: Where I've shifted my business from my branding studio into this online business that focuses more on digital products, I've had to learn a lot over the time and I've had to implement and I've had to take action.
• 21:31
  SPEAKER_00: And of course, with that, I have felt a tremendous amount of fear.
• 21:36
  SPEAKER_00: But when I pushed through it, the results that I achieve are just amazing, and that builds my confidence.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_00: So I think it's really important that whatever comes our way, we have to take action of some kind, and we just have to recognize that the fear aspect is always.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: Part and parcel of trying something new.
• 22:04
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you are struggling to take action because maybe you're sitting there overthinking something, whether it's creating an online course or building out a program for your business, or whether it's launching a membership side, then I want you to get out of your own way.
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_00: Identify what is holding you back.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_00: So take that time to reflect on what is preventing you from getting started.
• 22:33
  SPEAKER_00: Then I want you to set realistic goals.
• 22:36
  SPEAKER_00: What can you manage right now?
• 22:39
  SPEAKER_00: Just little steps on a consistent basis can make all the difference.
• 22:44
  SPEAKER_00: So give yourself grace because you may be venturing into something new, but set yourself some goals and embrace the change because change is good, change helps us to grow.
• 22:58
  SPEAKER_00: It's what forces us to stay informed and to be open to new ideas and opportunities.
• 23:05
  SPEAKER_00: And then I want you to take some self-care as well and to be kind to yourself because running a business is not easy, being an entrepreneur is not easy.
• 23:16
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it does feel like a 24-7 thing when you've got a lot on your plate going on and you're having to constantly be there making decisions, moving things forward all of the time.
• 23:27
  SPEAKER_00: But I want you to take some time out, take a break, and then come back when you're feeling clearer.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_00: Give yourself that space and grace to really evaluate what it is you want, what you need to do, and the action you need to take.
• 23:45
  SPEAKER_00: But I think whatever you do, you have to take action, however small, because this is the key to getting out of your own way.
• 23:54
  SPEAKER_00: You need to remember that success in business requires persistence, it requires hard work and it requires a willingness to learn and grow.
• 24:05
  SPEAKER_00: So you can overcome overthinking, you just need to be aware that this is what you're doing and take the necessary steps to overcome it, and then you will achieve the success that you are wanting to achieve in your business.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to today's episode.
• 24:26
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you found this episode of value, and of course, please feel free to share it with others who you may think will also benefit from listening to today's episode.
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_00: If you are feeling inspired and would like to know more about getting started with creating an online digital course, then why not download my free ebook, 10 Steps to Digital Course Success, by visiting my website www.pink-lemondigital.com.
• 24:52
  SPEAKER_00: I will be back next week with another episode, but until then, have a great week.
• 24:59
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 25:02
  SPEAKER_00: Don't forget to check out the show notes for all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode.
• 25:08
  SPEAKER_00: New episodes drop every week on a Wednesday.
• 25:10
  SPEAKER_00: So why not rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode?
• 25:14
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for tuning in today, and I will see you next time.