These variations of “I’m not good enough” are holding you back and not allowing you to move higher on your career trajectory. Whether that be starting your own business or applying to a startup whose ethos you love.

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“I’m scared I will fail”

Lesser acknowledged truth: failure is inevitable. It builds your resilience, forces you to face reality and makes you stronger. Normalise failure, develop a tolerance for it, learn from it and allow yourself to move on.

“I don't have enough time”

There are 24 hours in a day. Sleep is important (8 hours), your current job needs to get done (8 hours); be flexible and creative with the time you have left. Schedule time in the day to focus and work on your long term goals. Starting your own business, investing in a promising startup, finding a niche you would like to further explore.

“I don't have enough money”

Ask yourself what you need this money for and then work backwards. Start small, on social media, work with friends to skill-swap, start your business doing as much as you can by yourself. Start a side hustle, consistently set aside money, and create a savings account. You can do all this on the side while working full-time. It’s a process, but when your side hustle is bringing in enough revenue, be ready to make the jump!  

“I don't have enough experience”

Don’t discredit yourself, be resourceful. You can upskill by taking courses online, you can call in favours, ask for advice, shadow a professional, and you can always take the leap and keep learning from your small failures.

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Some other hindrances can be self-doubt or believing that it’s too late to start something new. Excuses are poisons that only serve to justify your fears and supposedly protect you from risks. But if you keep succumbing to them then you are putting yourself on a path that will slowly destroy your dreams. Learning to accept and work through those excuses whenever they arise, will help you move past the fears they represent.