When You Don't Think You're Good Enough

03 Nov 2009

self doubt What was it like when you first decided to build a business online? Were you excited…nervous…numb?

If your experience was anything like mine, you might have become inspired by an idea that you thought was going to set the world on fire. You couldn’t wait to get out there and get started. You couldn’t wait to share your knowledge.

But now, things are different. You’re looking around the internet landscape and you see hundreds of people just like you; some that are ahead of the game, and some that are behind.

Somehow, somewhere, something changed. When you first started it seemed as if your voice was completely unique, but now it seems like almost everyone is just a copy of someone else.

And that’s when it happens. All of the sudden you start to feel your motivation fade, your passion wane, and your confidence bottom out. You’re wondering what right you have to sell your knowledge when it isn’t original in the first place?

It’s Not Just You

Here’s the deal…it’s not your knowledge that’s the problem, it’s your perspective. We all go through this from time to time…it’s the curse of the entrepreneur.

As great as it is to be in business for ourselves, the amount of time we spend behind a computer screen or at a desk can take it’s toll in many ways. For starters, we do everything on our own, and it takes a tremendous amount of energy to maintain a high level of effort on a daily basis. This is especially true for people that are just starting and don’t have the cash to outsource certain methods of production.

Just one night without enough sleep or one extra problem that you didn’t plan for can be enough to tip the scales against your favor. And that’s when things start to go downhill.

Secondly, if you don’t spend enough time outside of the blogosphere, then it only makes sense that ideas become stale. It’s just like a new relationship. At first, everything is exciting and you have all sorts of fun stuff to talk about, but eventually, you run out of new things to say.

It doesn’t mean that you don’t want to talk, it just means you need to do something different. Get out and talk to real people, spend time with your readers/customers. New experiences create new conversation, and if you stay in one place too long, even the air will become stale.

So what does this have to do with not being good enough?

It means that even though your ideas might not seem original at times, it’s only because you aren’t getting out often enough to see the truth, which is that you’ve spent an entire lifetime developing your current skill set and knowledge base. Sure, everyone on Twitter might know how to create a blog or how to launch a product, but that doesn’t mean that everyone does.

To test this theory, next time you go to a bar or a restaurant, ask the people around you if they know how to do what you do. I guarantee you that 99% of them return a blank stare as if you were speaking a different language. And really, you are speaking a different language.

What I’m trying to say is that the internet is just a place where business owners come to set up shop, and even though it seems as if everyone is selling the same thing, the truth is that it only seems that way because you are hanging out with other business owners.

Take a stroll through any mall and you will see a dozen different retail stores that sell clothes. On the surface, they all sell the same thing, but to their customers, each one represents a unique experience.

Where’s the Beef?

And that’s what we all want…a unique experience. We love to consume, and we want to do it in as many ways as possible. I want to consume your content because you present it in your own unique way. I don’t care if you say the same thing as everyone else because when I hear it from you, it makes sense to me in an entirely different way.

Nobody stops reading John Chow’s blog just because he’s talking about the same things as Darren Rowse. People don’t stop listening to Dave Matthews because of John Mayer. And people won’t stop coming to your shop because you blog about the same thing as the guy down the street.

As Chris Guillebeau says, think about expanding the pie rather than splitting it up. There is more than enough landscape for all of us. Which means that yes, you are good enough…so quit second guessing yourself.

We all have something unique to bring to the table, so keep working your passion until you find an angle that helps you stand out. The trick to doing that is nothing more than trying to be better tomorrow than you were today. And that’s something we can all aspire to.

Image Credit BBMarie

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uncommonjulie

Thank you for this. REALLY good timing!

Oleg Mokhov

Hey Nathan,

An abundance mindset means that there's enough room for as many remarkable experiences as possible.

10 people can say the same thing. But if they're remarkable--unique and irresistible in their own way--then all that means is a reader has 10 choices to find who resonates the most with them... or 10 different perspectives with which to think about something. Either way, everyone wins: the writers get to connect with the most receptive audience, and readers have an abundance of value to choose from.

Best,
Oleg

PS. Great pic selection with BBMarie's drawing. Reminds me of Russian kids books - similar simple line style. Smile-inducing :)

Nathan Hangen

I like what you say there Oleg. I prefer the strategy of expanding the pie rather than trying to compete for it. Just be you...that's all the world asks :)

Beau Blackwell

Great post again, Nathan. I regularly find myself getting discouraged as to how I can add to the conversation about blogging or marketing.

However, I recently attended a Meetup that's just generally for entrepreneurs, and found that my knowledge of this stuff was hugely appreciated and really eye-opening for everyone there, which gave me a lot of hope. You're right that our skills are still pretty novel and welcome among the general public, and that's a reason to keep putting ourselves out there.

Gordie

Are you writing these recent posts tailored just for me? :)

Nathan Hangen

Funny that you say that because I think this one was close to home for a lot of people. I was actually inspired to write it when I spent an hour trying to create something valuable but kept feeling like I didn't have anything new to say.

JulieW

Thanks Nathan for a really helpful post that's very timely for me.

And since you've got a link to 'Live the Dharma' I wonder if the Buddhist principle of exuberant perseverance might be helpful here too. That is, carry on with what we're doing with cheerfulness, and try to keep the ego in check. Chop wood, carry water. And then chop wood, carry water. And stay awake while doing it, so that if it is time to update skills and/or get out into the world a bit more we're alert enough to notice and can do that cheerfully too.

Thanks again for the post.

Nathan Hangen

Seems like it is perfect timing for many, which has me believing even more in purpose and destiny :)

So right about chop wood and carry water. I love that phrase because it reminds me that no matter how good things are going, there will always be a grind to suffer through. Has a lot to do with impermanence as well. It's the journey, not the destination :)

Kevin Tea

Bit close to the bone this one Nathan but some great advice which is highly relevant. Many thanks.

Nathan Hangen

Close to the bone, I must say that's the first time I've heard that expression...what does it mean?

Kevin Tea

Too close for comfort!

Nathan Hangen

Ah, gotcha!

seantmcvey

Thank you for this post, you don't know how relevant it is to me! It constantly seems like online marketing and social media is saturated. However, like you point out, most people outside of our bubble have no idea. All of this stuff is just getting started and although I feel like I am behind, in many ways I am ahead. Thank you for being real.

Nathan Hangen

It's amazing how many glazed eyeballs I get when I tell people how to do what I do. They know I'm up to something, but they honestly cannot comprehend how I do it. That's where the real opportunity is, both to change lives and to make an honest living.

Ideas With A Kick

Inspiring post Nathan.

I've come to see 2 solutions when you don't think you're good enough: 1) you either need to make a change in your perspective and see what's really out there available for you, or 2) you need to upgrade yourself: acquire new skills, new experiences, then come back in the game with a new force. I find it amusing that a lot of people think the second solution is what they need, when it is actually the first one: they just need to believe more.

Eduard

Nathan Hangen

That's a great point. There are times when we do need to upgrade our skills. I think one of the indicators for this is when things you normally found challenging or exciting suddenly become dull. When that happens, it's time to reach beyond the comfort zone once more.

gerardmclean

Perfect. Especially the advice about getting out there and talking to other folks.
http://gerardmclean.com/social-media-failing-so... 76% of small business owners still need some help!

Nathan Hangen

As part of my campaign to get out and talk more, I'm going to do a bit more local consulting. Preaching to the choir is fun and all, but it isn't helping as many people as it could be.

Mike CJ

Really good post Nathan and it's so true about hitting that stage where you begin to wonder what you can add. I had an email conversation with a student yesterday who was in that place. Hopefully I persuaded him that he could go on writing similar stuff to others, as long as he puts his own unique spin onto the subject.

Nathan Hangen

I've gone through a spot like this recently, which is what inspired the post. What helps me maintain my perspective is talking to fellow Soldiers about what I do on the side...I see that blank stare a lot :)