Exploring the barriers to taking action - Is Busyness the Main Barrier or Are Other Factors at Play?

Renate Matroos
Mar 18, 2024
7 min read

Updated: Feb 26

There is no right way to start a business, that’s the beauty of entrepreneurship. But there are plenty of reasons why people are not getting started, and that is the challenge that needs to be addressed head-on.

If you’re struggling to kickstart your next business adventure, it might be time to find out what’s been holding you back and find ways to get started…. Spoiler alert, it all boils down to taking action.

I’m in the process of starting a new business, and this idea isn’t something that came to mind overnight. It’s something that has been on my mind for the last 7 years. But why now? And why didn’t I dive into this sooner? Let me take you on a brief trip down memory lane.

I’ve always had a hard time finding beautiful lingerie in my size, and if you’re somewhat curvy, you probably relate to this problem. With bigger sizes in general, it seems like you can’t have it all. Bigger cup size? No problem at all, here is a boring white, beige or black grandma bra for you. Looking for something more exciting? Then you'll have to settle for an ill-fitting, mediocre-looking bra with zero support. Traditional lingerie doesn’t cater to non-traditional bodies, leaving curvy bodies neglected in the intimate wear industry. Why? I have no clue.

Seven years ago I decided to dive into the world of lace, elastics, mesh, and underwires. I did two short courses in London to learn more about the lingerie industry. While I learned a lot, my conclusion after completing these rather traditional courses is that I would roughly need €30.000 to establish a complete collection. And that’s all they essentially kept emphasizing, needing € 30K to get started. At that time, I did not have the knowledge nor skill set to see a world of opportunities and explore alternatives with way less. So, this idea remained just that — an idea.

Why am I getting to it now, seven years later?

First of all, you don’t need thousands of euros/pounds/dollars/guilders or any currency to begin. Secondly, you'll never feel or be completely prepared, knowledgeable, or skilled enough. And as for perfect timing? That simply doesn’t exist. The only real reason is that I decided to commit this time around. Commit to crafting a meticulously planned and thought-out concept, commit to mastering the art of sewing intimate wear, commit to stepping out of my comfort zone and making it happen.

Reasons why people don’t get started sooner

As a learning designer who works with aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m constantly researching and delving into their needs, aspirations, and challenges. And as a nosy person, I’m always interested in understanding why people, dreaming of starting their own company, never get to it. I’ve observed recurring patterns of why people withhold getting started. In this blog, I’ll dive deeper into these most common reasons, drawing from both my professional expertise and personal experience. I’ve also outlined effective strategies to tackle these obstacles head-on.

Fear of Failure

The uncertainty of whether your idea will succeed or not can be daunting. It’s natural to think that if you don’t start, you won’t fail, right? Well that might seem true, but you’re also robbing yourself of success, personal growth, and fulfilling a long (or short) lived dream.

Overcoming the fear of failure is mighty crucial for taking that initial step. It’s about reframing your mindset about failure, recognizing it as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. Instead of focusing on the possibility of failure, view this as an opportunity to learn and grow. So next time you find yourself contemplating and wondering “What if I fail?” consider asking yourself “What if I succeed?” instead.

Perfectionism

When everything needs to be perfect from the get-go, you’ll most definitely delay the process of getting started. When starting a business or anything new for that matter, taking action is more important than striving for perfection.

If you’re a perfectionist you’ll base the quality of the outcome on your own impossibly high standards. Embracing the concept of something being “good enough”, includes setting realistic deadlines and accepting that iteration and refinement are extremely important for progress. There is always room for improvement, but that doesn’t mean this has to be done from the start.

Lack of Confidence

Doubting your abilities or whether an idea is good enough to succeed, plays a significant role in entrepreneurship. Addressing self-doubt and building confidence is crucial for getting started.

Focussing on past success, whether in previous jobs or projects and utilizing personal strengths and skills can help build your self-confidence. Sometimes, stepping out of your own thoughts and engaging with others can provide a valuable perspective. Seek feedback from trusted friends, mentors, or individuals you admire for their achievements. Ask how they’ve dealt with overcoming self-doubt and/or similar challenges regarding lack of confidence. Use these insights as inspiration and maybe you’ll even realize that confidence issues are a common experience especially when doing something new; the distinguishing factor lies in one’s ability to persist despite them.

Financial concerns

Concerns about finances can be a major roadblock. Launching a business often requires financial investment and the uncertainty of not having a fixed income can be daunting.

Explore different funding options such as crowdfunding, seeking investors, partnerships or private loans. Equally important is to create a detailed budget that covers essential expenses. By seeking out creative methods you can reduce costs, generate revenue early on, and therefore limit your financial risk. For starters, you can also start your business on the side and gradually ease into full-time entrepreneurship.

Procrastination

Procrastination is the thief of time and becomes a hindrance when it keeps you from doing essential tasks. Putting off tasks until the eleventh hour or neglecting them altogether, can stem from psychological, emotional, or situational factors such as: avoiding discomfort, struggling with self-regulation, poor time management, distractions and temptations, fear of failure, or lack of motivation.

Start by exploring the root causes of your procrastination tendencies. With this understanding, you can take action. Break tasks into smaller, actionable and manageable steps, set deadlines, and seek support from accountability partners to hold yourself accountable.

Lack of planning

Having a solid plan is indeed essential for success; however, some people find themselves stuck in the planning phase and never take action. It’s important to find a balance between planning and making tangible progress toward goals.

Begin by defining SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound— and break these overarching objectives into smaller, more manageable tasks. This makes it less overwhelming and allows you to focus on one step at a time. A realistic timeline can also help create a sense of urgency and accountability for each milestone. Identify the most critical tasks and start with those. Remember to start with something small, this creates momentum and boosts motivation towards achieving larger goals.

Overwhelm

Starting a business is undoubtedly exciting, but can also feel extremely overwhelming. With so many possibilities, it's easy to feel lost about where to begin.

To navigate this journey, craft a roadmap, action plan, or strategy and then break down the process into bite-sized, actionable steps. Prioritizing the most important tasks can help get started and stay organized.

P.S. Your top tasks shouldn’t (solely) revolve around designing a logo, choosing a business name, or registering at the chamber of commerce at first.

External Factors

Sometimes, it’s not internal factors but external obligations such as family duties, job commitments or other personal circumstances that can delay people from pursuing their business ideas.

In such situations, it’s important to improve your time management skills. This is especially crucial for those juggling multiple commitments. Focus on mastering time management techniques, setting clear priorities, and allocating the right resources to advance your ideas. Schedule focus moments where you solely work on your idea and nothing else. One hour per day already gets you way further than working on it once in a blue moon. After all, if we can find time to binge-watch our favorite Netflix show we can most definitely have the capacity to make progress in executing our entrepreneurial dreams, right?

Lack of support

The lack of a support system can make it challenging when taking the leap. If you can’t get support from family members or friends, just know that there are plenty of online and offline communities that offer just that.

Explore the website of your local chamber of commerce and participate in workshops or webinars. You’ll connect with like-minded people and professionals who share your entrepreneurial spirit. Also, a quick Google search of your industry followed by “Slack Channel” or “Community” can lead you to plenty of online communities. Don’t forget to check out Facebook groups, co-working groups, incubators, or mentorship programs for this extra support and additional networking opportunities.

Analysis paralysis

Overanalyzing every aspect of a business idea can be very paralyzing indeed. Thinking about your website colors and button designs, before having a thought-out concept, a defined target audience, or a solution to their needs will only add unnecessary stress. It's essential to recognize that not every detail is equally important in the initial stages.

Instead, learn to take calculated risks based on a combination of factors: informed decision-making, risk assessment, potential outcomes, market trends, and industry insights. Set a process in place that allows you to learn from both successes and failures as you go. This approach allows you to iterate, foster growth, and refine the process while minimizing potential losses.

From fear of failure to the allure of perfection, various factors can hinder your progress when pursuing your business ideas. By acknowledging and understanding these barriers, you can empower yourself to overcome them. Now that you have a better understanding of your obstacles, it's time for the next step. Choose one or two strategies that feel most impactful to you and commit to implementing them into your routine. Remember, progress comes from consistent effort and carrying out smaller tasks consistently.

Need a more practical and personalized approach to getting started? Schedule a 60-minute call with me, and let's work together on turning your ideas into action.

So, next time you hear someone express doubts about market demand, competition or time constraints to execute an idea, remember that these surface-level concerns may not be the actual reasons they’re not getting started.