Overcoming Self-Doubt: You Don’t Need Permission to Start

"Are you sure?"

"Someone’s already doing that.”

“What if it doesn’t work?”

If you’ve started a business, or even just considered starting one, chances are these thoughts (or versions of them) have looped through your mind more times than you’d like to admit. Sometimes they come from people around you. Sometimes they come from inside you. And if you let them take up too much space, they can drown out the reason you started in the first place.

Doubt Is Normal. But It Doesn’t Deserve the Final Say.

Every founder—no matter how successful—has faced moments of uncertainty. What separates those who keep going isn’t blind confidence. It’s resilience. It’s choosing to stay focused on the next step instead of spiraling about the end result.

Yes, there are others doing something similar. That doesn’t mean your perspective, your voice, your solution isn’t needed.

You Don’t Have Time for Negativity

Running a business can take everything you’ve got. Your time, energy, creativity, and courage. Letting fear or criticism run the show? That’s a luxury you can’t afford.

Instead, stay focused on:

• Building something that works

• Learning from what doesn’t

• Surrounding yourself with people who fuel your vision

There are milestones to reach, details to iron out, and connections to make. Your energy is better spent building that vision than tearing yourself down.

Let Criticism Fuel You, Not Stop You

You’ll face doubt from others. You’ll face it from yourself. Unfortunately, that’s part of the process. But don’t let it make you feel small.

You're the founder.

You're the leader.

And you're building something worth betting on—even if others can’t see it yet.

Keep going. You've got this.