TCM #012: Fear & Anxiety, The Uninvited Guests of Every Entrepreneur's Journey
Read time: 4 minutes
Hey 👋 – Tom here.
Happy Saturday to 928 motivated ecommerce entrepreneurs.
Below is your weekly one short tip on marketing and revenue growth for your ecommerce business.
Back again with another heart-to-heart for the humans among us (assuming you haven't all been sucked in by ChatGPT).
Enjoy.
Let me take a quick break from our usual newsletter content to tell you about a real-life superstar in the customer experience game who's currently on the lookout for her next big gig.
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So, here's the deal: she's scouting for her next challenge at a top-notch DTC brand or agency that's ready to level up their CX game. And guess what? You could score a cool $1,000 referral bonus if you help her find that perfect fit. Not too shabby, eh?
If you've got any leads on DTC brands or agencies that could use her talents; let's connect! Let's work together to give this amazing professional the opportunity to sprinkle her CX magic dust on another deserving business. And hey, that extra grand in your pocket won't hurt either.
Today, we're diving deep into the world of fear and anxiety – emotions that ALL entrepreneurs experience, no matter how "successful" we may appear.
But first, let me tell you a little story...
Once upon a time (okay, maybe just last Tuesday), I was sitting in my favourite coffee shop, sipping on a coconut flat white (don't judge – I love that thing), reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur over the last few years and thinking about all the ups and downs I've faced.
Spurred on by listening to a fellow entrepreneur taking home $2M net per year – about how he too still has days where he doubts the heck out of himself when sales slump; feeling like maybe, finally, it's all come crashing down at long last.
And guess what? I still experience fear and anxiety, even after all these years and "successes".
Yes, you read that right. Yours truly, Tom "The Shopify Whisperer" Brown, still faces those pesky little monsters.
The truth is, we're all human.
No matter how many sales we make or how many followers we have, we're not immune to fear and anxiety.
(Although my 18-year-old past-self would never believe me if we met today.)
So, let's chat about how we can continue to thrive as entrepreneurs despite it.
Step 1: Embrace the fear and anxiety.
No, I'm not suggesting you give them a bear hug, but rather, acknowledge and accept them. Fear and anxiety are natural emotions that can even serve as a sign that you're stepping outside your comfort zone and growing.
Usually, if I'm shying away from something out of fear – it means I'm exactly where I need to be.
I don't manage it perfectly every time, but I'm trying to make a better habit of running toward that which scares me.
So far?
I'm not dead – the fear I built up in my mind was far worse than the actuality of what I had to go through.
Step 2: Identify the triggers.
What situations or tasks make you feel anxious or fearful?
Is it launching a new product, handling customer complaints, or just the uncertainty of entrepreneurship?
Make a list, and keep it handy. Awareness is half the battle.
If there's stuff in there you hate doing – I have good news for you.
Document it and outsource it. You do not have to do it all alone.
Find a WHO, not HOW.
2.1: Is it a fear of others' opinions holding you back?
Do me a favour – grab a pen and paper right now and do this exercise with me.
I'm serious, I'll wait.
Go get it.
Write down this question: "Who's opinion do I truly care about?"
Now answer it. On paper.
My answer looks a little something like this:
• My own
• My partners*
• My best buddy's*
• My family's*
• My dog's
I care what the people (and dogs) – who know me intimately, love me and know my intentions – think of me.
*And even some of those I question.
As long as I act with integrity, I treat others as I wish to be treated, and I am led by my moral compass – do I honestly care what the random DTC guy called Rick attacking me on Twitter thinks? The guy who I'll never meet?
Step 3: Share your experiences.
You're not alone in this rollercoaster ride of emotions. Reach out to fellow entrepreneurs, friends, or mentors, and share your fears and anxieties. Chances are, they've felt the same way, and they might even have some wisdom to share.
Many, many entrepreneurs (and I'm talking all the way from the guy doing £10K a month to the girl doing £200M+ a year) go from feeling like they're on top of the world in the morning, to like it's all over in the afternoon.
Reach out within a safe community. I promise it's not just you.
This sh*t can be damn hard at times.
But the rewards are worth it.
And I wouldn't trade this life for anything else.
Step 4: Reframe your perspective.
Instead of focusing on the potential negative outcomes, consider the positive aspects.
(I know how simplistic that sounds, but stick with me.)
What opportunities for growth and learning are presented by the things that scare you?
(Write them down on that sheet of paper – you did do the exercise above didn't you?)
Ask yourself from 10 years ago – how much has changed? The person you are today is probably so far away from that 10-year-old version they'd lose their mind. Particularly with the growing opportunities you and I have access to today.
Step 5: Know that failure is a singular event.
You cannot *be* a failure.
It is an event, not a characteristic.
You may fail, but you are not and can never be a failure.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." – Winston Churchill
Step 6: Take action.
Finally, it's time to face the music.
Break down those anxiety-inducing tasks into smaller, manageable steps, and tackle them one by one. With each accomplishment, you'll feel more empowered and less fearful.
Momentum really is the fear killer.
It doesn't matter what I'm working on, I fire up an Apple Note and break every task down into microtasks that I can continually tick off to keep up the momentum.
Remember, we're all in this together.
I've been there, done that, and used every Shopify app known to humankind too (I may be exaggerating, but only slightly).
If you ever need someone to lend an ear or share some advice, feel free to hit reply or connect with me on social media.
As cliche as it sounds, there's a reason why within the Shopify community you'll often hear the phrase "a rising tide lifts all ships."
Keep breaking those beliefs, my ecommerce comrades. And remember, you're not alone in your fears and anxieties – we're all just trying to make the best out of this wild ride called entrepreneurship.
Yours in fearless ecommerce adventures,
Tom
P.S. Have a topic you'd like me to cover in the next newsletter? Let me know. I'm all ears. 📬
P.P.S. Ready for more? Here's how I can help you level up your ecommerce game:
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- Team up 1:1: Together, we'll outline your goals, craft a knockout strategy, and create a tactical action plan to supercharge your Shopify store. (Join 200+ clients who have already upped their ecommerce game.)
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Catch you next week or over on Twitter.
