Contributed by SBOC Member:
Founder of the Small Business Owners Community
You hold back.
You worry what people will think.
You say what you think they want to hear, instead of what you really believe.
I used to do this all the time. But then I had a moment of clarity that completely changed how I approach content, business, and even sales. If you struggle with imposter syndrome, this might help you, too.
It all starts with a message. If there’s something people need to hear, that’s your starting point.
How you deliver it is up to you. Some people write. Some shoot videos. Some prefer in-person events or coaching. Whatever your preferred way of communicating, the key is to get your message out.
But here’s the real question:
Because let’s be real—there will always be critics. There will always be people who don’t get it, don’t like it, or don’t care.
So how do you stop holding yourself back?
A few weeks ago, I did a deep dive into the real struggles of the small business owners I want to serve. I studied their pain points, their frustrations, and what’s actually keeping them stuck.
And something unexpected happened:
Because suddenly, I wasn’t thinking about me anymore.
I was thinking about them.
I wasn’t worried about people who don’t care about my message. I was focused on the small business owners who desperately need to hear it.
If you’re not in my target audience? I don’t care what you think.
If you’re someone I can help? I will share what I know without hesitation.
That shift—focusing entirely on the people I serve—made my fear of judgment disappear.
Imagine a mother lifting a car off her child. In any normal circumstance, she shouldn’t have the strength to do it. But in that moment, she doesn’t care about physics, logic, or what anyone else thinks—she just acts.
That’s the energy we need to bring to our work.
If you have knowledge, experience, or insights that can help people, share them.
If you know your audience is struggling, give them what they need to hear.
Forget about whether it’s “perfect.” Forget about the critics.
Just help.
Stop overthinking. If you know what your people need, say it.
Make it about them, not you. When your focus is on serving, the self-doubt fades.
Remember—your business, your voice, your impact matters. Don’t let doubt stop you.
Pat spent two decades in broadcasting management and hosting. After leaving the radio industry, he spent time consulting small businesses and realized the support system for entrepreneurs was broken. Where could you find help for improving small businesses and building real connections with other like-minded people. In June of 2020, the Idea Collective Small Business Community was born.
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