8 Mental Roadblocks to Overcome When Becoming A Solopreneur

The year was 2016. I remember being called out in a work meeting because I was zoning out. We all had a good laugh and I threw in a good one-liner to get back on track.

What I was daydreaming about was being my own boss. Running my own company of one. I remember this day so vividly. It's when I realized my desire to fly solo in business was actually impacting my work. I wanted to make the jump into solopreneurship so badly but was terrified of making it actually happen. Truly crippling.

When I finally built up the courage (and the financial savings) to leave my job, I thought the anxiety-inducing part was over. Little did I know, it was the beginning of a series of mental roadblocks I'd encounter, and still encounter, on my solopreneur journey.

However, even with these obstacles, here I am 8 years later, and I haven't looked back. Now, has it always been smooth sailing? Of course not! But it's been worth it.

If you're one of those people daydreaming about taking the leap, this post is for you. We all face these invisible hurdles that can make us second-guess our solopreneurial dreams. But let's turn the tables and have some fun dismantling these barriers!

Here are 8 common mental roadblocks to overcome when becoming a solopreneur and how you can overcome them.

1. Fear of Failure

So many people have a fear of falling flat on their face and having to return to a "normal" job. Yikes! How dare I even mention something like that?

Solution: Remember that every successful solopreneur has faced failures. Failure is a stepping stone to success. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. Use the fear as momentum to build your dream solo career.

2. Lack of Financial Security

Worries about your financial safety net are a genuine concern...and rightfully so! Here's what I tell people all the time though: Just because you have a full-time job with a company, doesn't mean you have a safety net. You can always get fired. 

Solution: Create a financial plan, save up, and establish an emergency fund to ease the transition into full-time solopreneurship. Financial stability is key. Plan for the ebbs and flows.

3. Imposter Syndrome

This one always gets me good. And you know what? Eight years into this journey and the imposter syndrome still finds its way to sneak in from time to time. Feeling like you're not good enough or that you don't have the skills or knowledge is the worst!

Solution: Soooo many people are on the "fake it 'til you make it train." Remember that you're on a learning journey, just like everyone else. Surround yourself with a support network and remind yourself of your achievements. You know more than you think.

4. Overthinking

If I had a nickel for every time I fell into analysis paralysis I wouldn't need a business because that on its own would make me rich. Getting lost in the details and not taking action can be a slippery slope. You need to remember that sometimes a decision really can be "that simple."

Solution: Embrace the mantra "Done is better than perfect." Take action, learn from your mistakes, and improve along the way.

5. Lack of Clear Direction

When I first took the leap into solopreneurship, I had a clear plan of attack...until I realized how much actually goes into running a company of one. There is a lot and I struggled with finding the right priorities. It. Was. Stressful. I also found myself saying "yes" to every opportunity because, well, ya gotta pay those bills!

Solution: Narrow down your niche and focus on what you're passionate about. Only say yes to projects that align with your values and dedicate all of your time towards that. Use your "why" as your north star and let it guide you in all of your decisions.

6. Social Pressure

I was fortunate enough to have a solid support system when I made the leap. In fact, they were the ones who encouraged me to leave my job when I just didn't feel like I could actually do it. However, I know that isn't the case for everybody and I have talked to so many solopreneurs who had to overcome the fear of judgment from family and friends. For those of you who experienced this, I'm so sorry that has been your experience.

Solution: Explain your vision, and seek support from those who truly care about your happiness. They say you're the average of the people you spend the most time with, so be sure to surround yourself with positive and motivational people.

7. Fear of the Unknown

You don't know what you don't know. Even if you think you've mastered your craft, there will be times that you are completely stumped and will have to tackle something outside of your wheelhouse. Anxiety about the uncertainty that comes with solopreneurship can be difficult, but you need to realize you're not alone, and all of us experience this fear at one point or another.

Solution: Accept that life itself is unpredictable. Think of entrepreneurship as an exciting adventure. The unknown can be your best friend and lead to some amazing opportunities. Find comfort in the journey. It's rarely actually ever about the destination.

8. Perfectionism

"My website needs to be perfect before I launch."

"My product can't have any bugs."

I hear these things all the time and I'm here to tell you that simply isn't the case. Striving for perfection will delay progress and feedback. The sooner you put it out there, the sooner you'll be able to make the necessary changes you'll need to get your business where you want it.

Solution: Understand that perfection is an unattainable ideal. Your journey will involve trial and error, and that's perfectly okay.

Remember, practice makes progress, not perfection.

The path to solopreneurship is a thrilling rollercoaster ride full of ups and downs. Instead of viewing these mental roadblocks as obstacles, think of them as opportunities to grow and evolve.

Embrace the adventure, stay true to your vision, and don't be afraid to take the leap. 

Need more motivation? We have an awesome ebook that helps you unleash your inner awesome (I'm biased because I wrote it, but other people have shared the same feedback!). 

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