If you want to start a business, there’s no better time than *right meow* to take the leap. Yet, for many aspiring entrepreneurs—often called “wantrepreneurs”—getting started feels like an uphill battle. The excitement of launching a dream quickly turns into procrastination, and days, weeks, years, or even decades pass without action. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Understanding the barriers that keep you stuck is the first step to overcoming them. Here are the top three reasons people procrastinate when they want to start a business—and practical strategies to overcome them so you can become the profitable entrepreneur you see in your future.
1. Fear of the Unknown
Starting a business requires stepping into uncharted territory, and that can be intimidating. Questions like “What if I fail?” or “What if I don’t know what I’m doing?” can paralyze even the most passionate Wantrepreneur. Here’s what you may not know: every single successful entrepreneur has faced this fear and learned to embrace it. The key is developing a mindset that views uncertainty as an opportunity for growth.
What to Do:
- Start small: Take one manageable step toward your goal every day. Prove to yourself in small chunks that you can do it and begin to normalize the unknown as a “safe” place for your brain.
- Educate yourself: Invest in books, courses, or mentorship to build confidence in your abilities. When your brain understands what’s happening and why it’s happening, you no longer need to procrastinate.
- Reframe failure: View mistakes as learning experiences rather than setbacks. Every successful entrepreneur knows that there is no such thing as failure, just lessons that help us get better.
2. Attachment to Perfection
Perfection is the ultimate productivity killer. Many wantrepreneurs delay launching their business because they feel everything has to be “just right.” Here’s the truth: perfection doesn’t exist and if you’re waiting for that day… you will spend your entire life waiting. The most successful entrepreneurs know that taking imperfect action is the secret to building momentum.
What to Do:
- Set deadlines: Give yourself a firm timeline to complete tasks and stick to it. Ask for a friend or mentor to check in on you about the deadline to give yourself even more incentive to take action.
- Adopt the mantra “done is better than perfect”: Because at the end of the day, perfection is a myth. Taking the action today is better than waiting for a day that is never coming.
- Focus on progress, not perfection: Each step forward moves you closer to your goal. If you took one step a day for 365 days, you’d be further in one year than if you waited for the perfect launch.
3. Perceived Judgments from Friends, Family, or Spouses
A significant hurdle I see Wantrepreneurs face when starting a business is worrying about what others will think. The fear of being judged, misunderstood, or criticized can stop you in your tracks (but it doesn’t have to!). The reality is that not everyone will understand your dreams—and that’s okay. Your job isn’t to convince them; it’s to pursue your vision. Because this is your life, not theirs. They get to live their life as they see fit, and so do you.
What to Do:
- Build a supportive community: Join entrepreneur groups, networking events, or online forums to connect with like-minded individuals. You will need these people on your side to remind you of your truth in moments when you forget. And you will forget.
- Communicate your intentions clearly: Share your plans with those close to you, let them know your boundaries around what they are and are not allowed to have opinions about and express why this matters to you.
- Focus on your “why”: Remind yourself of the deeper purpose behind your business goals. Stay focused on the vision in side of you, even when the world around you doesn’t match – yet!
Take Action Today & Make the Leap
If you want to start a business, the biggest obstacle you’ll face isn’t external—it’s internal. Overcoming fear, letting go of perfectionism, and shifting your focus away from others’ judgments are critical steps to making your dream a reality.
Starting a business may seem daunting, but every successful entrepreneur began exactly where you are right now: at the starting line. By identifying what’s holding you back and taking intentional steps forward, you’ll transform from a Wantrepreneur into a thriving business owner. The best time to start is today—so what are you waiting for? Give yourself permission to leap!
If you’re ready to move forward in your entrepreneurial journey, consider enrolling in my course ‘Profitable By Design.’ This course has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs over the last 8 years to start their own businesses… profitably!!! Click here to learn more about ‘Profitable By Design’ and take the first step in starting your own business today without trial and error!
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