Hi fellow entrepreneurs I want to learn more about business so going to do an online shop that sells silk pillows. I work a FT job so this is to expand my skills and understanding and hopefully make some money along the side.
The problem is when I do research (SWOT) analysis. The self doubt starts to creep in and gets in my head.
My question is how do you overcome that noise in the head?
If you have any inspiring story i would love to hear it 😊
Thank you
Wanting to learn the hustle but self doubt keep creeping in.
byu/FeelingProgrammer987 inEntrepreneur
Posted by FeelingProgrammer987
9 Comments
First of all, God doesn’t give you an idea for no reason. The fact that out of all people it’s you who has got that idea in mind should motivate you to go ahead with it.
So for me you have to always believe in youself to be able to put in work without doubt. 👍🏾
u/FeelingProgrammer987 That doubt never fully goes away – most people just learn to stop letting it drive decisions.
What helped me was replacing “is this a good idea?” with small tests (1 product page, 1batch, 1 ad) so reality, not my head, did the feedback.
And always keep things simple
The self doubt is totally normal dude, everyone gets it when starting out. Just remember that analysis paralysis is worse than imperfect action – sometimes you gotta just launch the thing and figure it out as you go
Hey, that doubt you’re feeling? Totally normal. Everyone gets it. The difference is just whether you let it stop you or not.
Here’s the thing about SWOT analysis and all that research: it’s useful, but it can also become a way to procrastinate. You start seeing all the threats and weaknesses and suddenly you’re paralyzed. Analysis becomes another form of not starting.
The real learning doesn’t happen in the research phase. It happens when you put the first pillow up for sale and nobody buys it. Or when someone does buy it and asks a question you didn’t think of. Or when you realize your shipping costs are way higher than you calculated. That’s where you actually learn business.
You’re never going to feel ready. There’s never a moment where all the doubt disappears and you just know it’ll work. You start anyway and figure it out as you go. The doubt doesn’t go away, you just get better at doing things despite it.
My advice: set a deadline. Pick a date two weeks from now and commit to having your first product listed by then. Not perfect, just live. One pillow, basic description, real price. Then see what happens. You’ll learn more from that than another month of research.
The people who succeed aren’t the ones without doubt. They’re the ones who move forward with the doubt sitting right there in the passenger seat. Start messy, learn fast, adjust as you go.
You’ve got this.
Honestly, to date, I still haven’t “overcome that noise in the head” . . . it is still there and some days louder than ever
I’m sure there is some answer to your question from a text book but I’m afraid I don’t have it!
I essentially ignore the ‘noise’ and stick to my plan (although some days that is far easier said than done)
Not sure that can be classed as an “inspiring story” but thank you for posting your question, felt compelled to respond
That self doubt is absolutely in all of us! Hustle is not something you learn per se, but just ask what is your goal? Who are you around? SWOT is nice but focus on who are your customers, what is their problem you can solve and where are they at?
That self doubt never really disappears, even for people who have built multiple businesses. What changes is how much weight you give it. Research is meant to inform your decisions, not scare you into inaction. Every SWOT will show risks, but risks do not mean you should stop, they mean you should test small and learn.
Start in a way that feels safe. Launch a simple version, validate demand with a few sales, and adjust as you go. Confidence comes from action, not from thinking everything through perfectly.
Most successful founders I know did not feel ready when they started. They moved forward anyway and let progress quiet the noise.
We all started from somewhere and questioned am I cut out for this, do I have the skills, the knowledge, the capacity. You are moving from the comfortable to the uncomfortable and that’s when feelings of imposter syndrome or self doubt can surface. Just remember that if you feel uncomfortable, you are pushing past your limits and that’s where the real learning takes place. That’s where you will acquire the skills, knowledge and experience. Your confidence will steadily grow.
Remember you are not your thoughts, go with your gut and try not to go it alone. Surround yourself with people who can support you, advise you, challenge you and if possible, 5-10 years further down the road from where you are. You can avoid some of the rabbit holes and get some accountability.
Good look with the venture and be kind to yourself. You are doing what a lot of people only talk about.
Turn the robot mode ON, and just do the things as they should be done.