Welcome back to Business Mindset Matters – Episode 2.
If you’re building an online income, there’s one thing you can be absolutely certain of: at some point, fear will show up.
In Episode 1, Dream Big, Start Small, we explored the importance of having a vision for your future while keeping your actions manageable and realistic. Some of you may have researched people you admire, clarified what you want your online business to become, or simply allowed yourself to imagine what could be possible.
If you took even one small step, that counts.
And if you didn’t get round to it yet, that’s okay too. You can start again today.
You can read Episode 1 here:
https://myonlineincome.org/business-mindset-matters-episode-1-dream-big-start-small
Week 2 – Taming the Fear Monster
This week, we’re tackling something every online entrepreneur faces, often more than once: fear.
- Fear of failing
- Fear of succeeding
- Fear of being seen
- Fear of judgement
I call it the Fear Monster, and it has a habit of appearing whenever we step outside our comfort zone.
Some fear is useful. The fear of putting your hand in a fire keeps you safe. But the fears that show up when you’re building an online business are usually not protecting you – they’re holding you back from becoming the person you are capable of being.
Most fears are learned
Babies are born with only two innate fears:
- Loud noises
- Falling
Everything else is learned through experience, observation, and repetition – from parents, teachers, friends, society, and past events.
If someone is unkind to us on a bus, we might develop a fear of public transport. If we grow up watching adults panic when they see a spider, we may learn that spiders are something to fear.
And many fears are poorly labelled. When someone says they have a “fear of flying”, it isn’t really flying that’s the issue – it’s really the fear that the plane might stop flying!
The same is true in business. The fear isn’t writing a blog post or posting a video. It’s what we imagine might happen as a result.
Let’s look at the fears that tend to affect online business owners the most.
The four fear monsters in online business
There are many forms fear can take, but these four show up again and again:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of success
- Fear of visibility
- Fear of judgement
Left unchecked, these fears quietly stop people from starting, sharing, growing, or staying consistent. The good news is that they can be worked with – and tamed. But they do take a bit of effort and courage from you.
1. Fear of failure
Core belief: “If I fail, I’ll lose credibility, time, or my self-worth.”
This fear stops people before they even begin. Ironically, that means failing by default.
Most successful people fail far more often than unsuccessful ones – not because they’re careless, but because they try more things. They treat mistakes as feedback rather than proof that they’re not good enough.
Try this:
- Reframe failure as feedback. Ask, “What is this teaching me?”
- Break big goals into small actions. Each small win builds confidence
- Celebrate effort, not just outcomes. Showing up is progress
Remember, most people fail many times before they eventually succeed, and many people stop or give up when they are right on the brink of success.
2. Fear of success
Core belief: “If I succeed, I’ll be overwhelmed, exposed, or disconnected.”
This fear often hides behind phrases like “I’m not ready yet” or “I’ll start next year”.
It’s the part of you that worries about change rather than trusting your ability to grow into it.
Try this:
- Define success on your terms. Not society’s. Not anyone else’s
- Build support systems. Surround yourself with people who understand the journey
- Practise receiving. Praise, income, opportunities – even if they feel uncomfortable at first
- Be patient. Think of success as a garden. It grows in seasons
Procrastination is common in business too, but it can be overcome.
3. Fear of visibility
Core belief: “If I’m seen, I’ll be judged, misunderstood, or unsafe.”
This is a big one for creators.
Likes, views, comments – they can feel personal. But trying to please everyone is impossible. We are all different, with different values and perspectives, and that’s a good thing. However, YOU are unique and have a unique story that someone is waiting to hear.
You are not here to appeal to everyone. You are here to help that someone.
Try this:
- Start with safe audiences while you build confidence
- Remember that video is optional. Text, voice-overs, visuals, or even pen names all work
- Anchor into your purpose. Focus on who you’re helping, not how you look or sound
- Start small. Growth doesn’t require an audience of thousands on day one
4. Fear of judgement
Core belief: “Others will think I’m foolish, wrong, or unworthy.”
This fear often shows up as over-editing, deleting posts, or never hitting publish.
Much of it comes from an overactive inner critic repeating old messages picked up over time. Once you notice those thoughts and question where they come from, they start to lose their power.
Try this:
- Name your inner critic. Turning it into a character makes it less intimidating.
- Practise self-compassion. You are allowed to learn in public.
- Teach what you fear. Sharing honestly often creates connection, not rejection.
A book you might find helpful here is Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear – it’s moving forward despite it.
This week’s reflection
Here are your tasks for this week:
Take a few moments to consider:
- Which fear shows up most for me right now?
- What is that fear trying to protect me from?
- What small, courageous action can I take this week?
- How will I acknowledge that courage, regardless of the outcome?
Final thoughts
Fear doesn’t disappear by avoiding it. It shrinks when it’s brought into the light.
Let your fear walk in front of you instead of chasing you from behind. Each time you face it, you grow stronger.
🎥 A companion video for this episode will be added shortly, where I explore these ideas visually and share a few personal reflections on taming the Fear Monster.
Next week, we’ll explore Your Why Is Your Superpower.
Have a productive, grounded week,
Gail
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Business Mindset Matters Week 1 – Dream BIG, start small
Rich Dad, Poor Dad Book Review
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