How to overcome a crisis of confidence?

timehastoldme

Was wondering how other people deal with this (or even if they have it?)

A couple of years ago I had an idea for a small educational business. I've made prototypes, tried it out in school, costed, made a development plan, made a blog, website, logo...

Then completely lost confidence and backed off. Not good enough, not original enough... even though it's been tested and is fine!

Any experience/advice?

martindow

I think most people have wobbles like this - if you don't you are probably hopelessly unrealistic following your dream.

Have you asked someone else to look over what you are doing to get their reactions? This adds confidence but it needs to be someone who is going to be honest and realistic. Close family and friends will not be truly objective.

Can you start the business up without leaving your current job? That takes the pressure off and lets you see how it goes until you get to the point you can be confident that it is going to work.

If you abandon the idea without trying it you will be thinking 'What if...' for years to come. Give it a try and I hope it works out.

fewgroats

I think having to spend your own money has a divisive effect and people just stop.

Maybe freelancing then? Look at the various freelancing sites around? No investment needed.

timehastoldme

Thank you both,

I did run it by some trusted educational specialists who thought it was a good idea. Took redundancy and a much more part time job to give it a chance, guess it is just the wobbles/self doubt. Going to force through.

Thank you!

Percy1983

I think in my case I just got my services out there and didn't chase work, I had one customer which got me a second, which got me another two.

By that point I was getting a lot of feedback and praise to which I then setup a website and started get more work, past that I got on facebook and things started really going.

I suppose its just getting going initially which is the problem, to which I have to say just do it.

The other way of thinking is yes it may fail, but if you don't try you will never know.