Natasha Penzo is a real estate broker & the Co-Founder of Urban Blueprint Design + Build & Homekin. Connect with her on Instagram.
Being an entrepreneur can be lonely. I have, at times, been faced with a sense of isolation, a barrage of self-doubt and a case of imposter syndrome. The entrepreneurial path is riddled with hurdles, and it’s a journey that isn’t always portrayed accurately on social media. Success stories dominate our feeds, leading to inevitable comparisons. But as I navigate this path, I’ve discovered a supportive community of fellow entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges. These connections serve as both a comforting presence and a valuable source of wisdom. Along this journey, I have come to accept some universal truths that transcend industry boundaries.
Embrace fear as a catalyst.
What I’ve heard over and over again is that a lot of people are scared. Fear is a constant companion in the entrepreneurial world, with the fear of failure being particularly paralyzing. Often, this fear arises from the prospect of failing in front of peers and competitors. Entrepreneurs take pride in their work and can be competitive. But acknowledging this fear, accepting that we are scared and understanding its source is the first step to conquering it. We must remember the “why” behind our businesses and take action anyway! After all, what is the worst that can happen? Instead of letting fear control us, we can harness it as a driving force.
Everyone has to start somewhere.
I love to speak to industry leaders and experts who are further along in their journey than I am. It’s fascinating to hear their stories about where they started and, through these conversations, it has become evident to me that nobody truly knew what they were doing at the outset. Furthermore, even as they achieve success they still don’t know everything or have all of the answers. No one is a superstar from the get-go; everyone has to start somewhere and recognize their skill and knowledge gaps. Simultaneously, it’s important to acknowledge our strengths and leverage them to our advantage. Entrepreneurship is about embracing the journey of continuous learning and growth. Entrepreneurship is about accepting that most of us aren’t prodigies yet we’re moving toward our goal anyway.
Perfection is not a prerequisite.
Another trait that these entrepreneurs tend to share is perfectionism, which can be both a boon and a bane. High achievers often set impossibly high standards for themselves, leading to analysis paralysis. As an example, I recently relaunched one of my company’s websites, but before the launch, I was obsessed with perfecting it. As a result, I was consumed with minute details, trying to perfect site daily, which, in retrospect, was not a productive or efficient use of my time. After sitting down with my career coach for a scheduled session, I finally realized that although the website is not 100% perfect, it’s still pretty great. Just because it’s not perfect, it doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t exist or that it can’t get better. Perfection is not a prerequisite for the existence of an idea, a company, a product or what have you. Imperfect but still great and functional work still has value. Understanding that things can always be improved is essential.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
On days when none of these points can spur me into action, I remember this: Tomorrow is not a guarantee. Five years ago, my family had a rude awakening. My mom, who is a firecracker of a businesswoman, was diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her to take a step back and essentially stay at home for a year while she endured treatments and recovery from invasive surgeries. She survived and is more vivacious than ever today, for which we are eternally grateful, but this experience was a difficult lesson for us as a family and as individual entrepreneurs. In the whirlwind of daily life, we often delay taking action. Things can change very quickly and opportunities can slip away overnight, so what are we waiting for?
Entrepreneurship can be a journey filled with fears, doubts and the relentless pursuit of perfection. However, these challenges are surmountable, and they are shared by entrepreneurs worldwide. For that reason, for anyone who is experiencing any of these emotions, I encourage you to reach out to other fellow entrepreneurs, whether they are in your industry or not. I’m confident that they will tell you what others have told me; we must acknowledge our fears, our knowledge gaps and our desire for perfection but not let them hold us back. The most important lesson from this journey is to embrace life’s impermanence and act today, as we never truly know what tomorrow holds. In the end, what is there to lose by simply trying?
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