Small Business Success - It?s a Matter of Confidence

I was floored! I couldn't believe what they were saying! But there they sat -- three of the biggest film stars of our age -- telling the world they had issues with confidence. I was watching an interview where Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore were talking with Oprah Winfrey. Their conversation gave me a lot to think about in regard to small business success.

It started with Meryl making a comment about a movie she'd starred in. Her joke was about the fact that she actually quit the movie before it began filming and then ended up following through with her commitment after all. At this point, Nicole and Julianne chimed in. "I do the same thing!" was the cry. As I watched these three huge film stars go back and forth with their issues of insecurity, it dawned on me that I had something in common with these movie icons.

As a small business owner, I constantly question myself. I wonder if I have the imagination, the talent, the skills, or the drive to make it online. Yes, I'm earning a full-time living on the Web. I've done so for quite some time now. But that fact seems to play a tiny part in the establishment of my self-esteem.

Like most small business owners, and apparently at least three giant film stars, there is a constant struggle with what we *think* we can do, and what we can actually achieve. Self-doubt creeps in and - if we let it take hold - we want to quit. We question our abilities and even our successes. It has the potential to be devastating.

There is something else I learned from this interview, however. While all three of these ladies had gone so far as to call their agents and tell them they weren't making the movies they were contracted for, they still did them. Even with high levels of insecurity, they got themselves together and marched onward.

What was the end result? Most of the time, a box-office hit and millions of dollars! Yes, there have been a few "failures" for each of them. However, generally speaking, each time they made an effort something wonderful happened.

There are three things I don't think I'll ever forget about that interview.

  • Everybody - even the "rich and famous" - doubts himself or herself from time to time. Small business owners are no different. Wearing all the different "hats" of a small business owner creates the perfect environment for insecurity to creep in. It's something you will likely not completely rid your life from, but it IS something you can overcome.

  • If the risk is a calculated and reasonable one - suck it up and move onward toward your goal. Take into consideration the "logical" aspects of success. Is the risk you're about to take (expanding your services, taking on a new client, launching a new product) one that stands a good chance of success? Weigh your options. If you decide the risk is worth taking, then don't let fear stand in your way.

  • Oprah DOES have some good shows from time to time! :) So many small business owners quit before ever "making it." That's a shame. They let their doubts and fears take over, and it drives their dreams right out of the picture. If you love something - if you truly want to do a particular thing and earn an income from it - don't let anyone (including yourself) tell you that it can't be done. I think Meryl, Nicole and Julianne would agree!

    Copyright 2004 Diane Hughes

    About The Author

    Diane C. Hughes * probiztips.com

    FREE Report: Amazingly Simple (Yet Super Powerful) Ways To Skyrocket Your Sales And Build Your Business Into A Tower of Profits! ==>> probiztips.com

    whole house cleaning Deerfield ..
    In The News:

    Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
    The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
    Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
    New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
    FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
    New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
    OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
    Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
    New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
    DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
    Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
    Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
    Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
    A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
    South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
    Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
    Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
    Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
    NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
    Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
    Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.
    Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
    Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.
  • Alliances: Drawing The Line

    How far can you go based on your relationship with... Read More

    Find Your Niche & Follow It - Part 1

    In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More

    Cash Flow: Why Chaos Equals Poor Cash Flow

    Recently one of my customers told me the chaos swirling... Read More

    How Is the LEGAL SYSTEM Dishing Out JUSTICE in Your Town?

    Thankfully, most of us will never find out. That is... Read More

    Mobile Truck Washing, Case Study

    Most folks in the pressure washing business are happier to... Read More

    Local Government Relations for Small Business

    Most small businesses simply go about their daily business and... Read More

    Pressure Washing of Paving Equipment and The EPA

    Many pressure washing companies will be glad to take on... Read More

    Franchising VS Business Opportunity; What is the Difference?

    The modern Franchise business model and the much different business... Read More

    Where Can I Get Clients From?

    The following tips have come from a wide variety of... Read More

    Operating Your Small Business ? Everything Really Is a Project

    Do you operate your business as a series of projects,... Read More

    Business Failure, The 8 Traps Causing Failure And The One Attribute Which Ensures Business Survival

    It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More

    How to Avoid the Most Common Reasons for Small Business Failure

    The life cycle of the typical small business is short... Read More

    Tell Me a Story: A Simple But Powerful Tool to Build Your Business

    Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More

    11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Punxsutawney Phil

    1. Look Over Your Shoulder ? Of course, Punxsutawney Phil... Read More

    50 Ways to Save Money

    There are countless ways to save your business money. Unfortunately,... Read More

    Franchises Must Meet Legal Definition to be an Actual Franchise

    All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More

    Smart PR Tactics for Small Businesses

    Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More

    How to Prevent Home Business Burnout

    As a home business proprietor, you may already realize why... Read More

    Why Do Franchisors have Exclusive Territories

    The reason we Franchisors call it an exclusive territory is... Read More

    Increase Your Profits with a Point of Sale (POS) System

    Whether you operate a chain of restaurants, a mom-and-pop convenience... Read More

    11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Rudy Giuliani

    1. Leadership Is Learned ? While many people appear to... Read More

    10 Cardinal Rules for Business Growth

    After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More

    Hosted PBX, Is It Right For You?

    "Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More

    Shortcuts Will Kill Your Business

    Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More

    Truck Wash Business Case Study

    Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More

    home cleaning services Des Plaines ..