Fashion Business Owner Musings: Don’t Let Self-Doubt Stop You

Let’s get something straight — self-doubt never goes away.

There are plenty of people out there who are considered “experts,” “gurus,” or overall “smarty pants” who won’t ever admit that.

But I’m going to admit it. Because I want you to know it and not think that you are all alone in this feeling, even once you start to grow.

Here’s the deal.

We set goals for our fashion business. They’re scary but exciting. We work hard even when we’re scared. We accomplish those goals. And we set more goals.

Those new goals are just as intimidating as the original goals. Because if you’re setting strong goals then you’re asking yourself to do things that you’ve never done before, or if you have, not at the scale of this new goal.

So, because you are pushing yourself into new realms, you doubt your ability to do it.

The self-doubt monster digs her claws in and you wonder . . .

Should I keep going?

Do I really have what it takes?

Am I actually crazy?

These feelings may lessen as you become a more experienced fashion business owner (they did for me), but I truly believe that they never fully go away.

And I’m kind of thrilled that that’s the case.

By that I mean I think this self-doubt is a healthy thing, as long as you make it your mission to conquer whatever you’re currently doubting (i.e. reach the goal) and then do it all over again with the next goal.

I think self-doubt can help you reach levels of success you may only be dreaming of, as long as you use it as a driving force.

When you say to yourself, “Yes I can do it.” When you work to prove yourself wrong rather than allow the doubt to keep you down.

I know that sounds easier said than done. But I honestly don’t think it is.

I think that we can all take our self-doubt and flip the script.

How about having something you say to yourself every time the doubt gets fired up?

“You can do this.”

“You’re so damn smart, you’ll figure it out.”

“Look how far you’ve come.”

“I will not be what stands in my way” (this one is my favorite)

Listen, the sooner you realize that there is no end-point for doubt and fear as a fashion business owner, the sooner you can come up with your strategy for stamping it down and proving yourself wrong about what you can and can’t do.

Believe in yourself.

I believe in you.

Lots of love and encouragement,

 

Nicole Giordano

Nicole is the founder of StartUp FASHION, an online resource and community supporting for independent designers around the world with building their businesses. A deep love for the craft of fashion paired with an adamant belief that success is defined by the individual, led her to found StartUp FASHION, where she helps independent designers and makers screw the traditional fashion business rules, create their own paths, and build businesses they truly love. More than anything else, she’s in the business of encouragement and works every day to remind makers and designers that they have something special to offer the world and that they can, in fact, do this thing!