Marketing Fears, Limiting Beliefs & Self Sabotaging Behaviors

Are you one of those folks who love to talk about what you do, you love meeting new people, you jump at any networking opportunity or a chance to talk in public?  If so, you're probably a natural extrovert. (and you can stop reading now...this article does not apply to you...)

However, if you're like the majority of us, marketing can bring up at least a bit of fear, some negative/limiting self talk, beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviors. Before you know it, you are paralysed by your thoughts & behaviors and you wonder how you'll ever move forward. Does this sound vaguely familiar? 

HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER THEN:

• If you market authentically then your business will reflect who you are with all your “humanness” including your limited thinking & self sabotaging behavior. That's the beauty of being "you"  People will be "attracted" to you when you are acting in an authentic manner and perhaps even being "vulnerable"

• As you confront new challenges or do something you’ve never done before you will often feel scared and may default back to old beliefs & patterns about yourself so expect this.  This way you will not be "suprised" when "old" beliefs/patterns re-surface.  Often you are not at the same place but at a different or deeper level-(it's like peeling an onion)

• Practice helps you to get over the “jitters” and will help grow  confidence in your abilities. Sometimes you need to script out what you want to say about your business/product, and say it outloud to get use to talking in this manner.  If you know that public speaking is something you need practice on join a group like Toastmasters. 

• You are not alone! Everyone has fears & limited beliefs at times .  Did you know that Neale Donald Walsh, a bestselling author (Conversations with God) once reported how fearful he was when public speaking.  He was afraid of saying something "stupid".  Everytime he got up to speak he wished that his words came out like they did when he was writing.  There are countless examples of accomplish, well know people who still must face their fears.

• Acknowledge your fears/limited beliefs-this is a powerful first step so you can begin to confront them lovingly.  Ignoring/denying them will not work for long. Make a list of your top 5 fears and decide to make peace with them.

• Re-write your marketing story: Imagine yourself without your fears and limiting beliefs and visualize how your business would be different and how you would feel without your fears, limited beliefs or self-sabotaging behavior-painting this picture vividly and visualizing often is a powerful tool 

• Look at marketing as a conversation with others-If you are passionate about what you do and someone doesn’t need your services that’s okay-you’ve educated them about what you do, they may refer others to you in the future or may even come back to you at a later time when it’s right for them

• Shift to a more successful mindset and re-frame your fears, i.e.: Marketing is hard work shift: Marketing can be interesting and I'm always learning more about myself and others in the process

• Welcome failures/challenges-The Beatles, Michael Jordan, Chicken Soup series examples-Most great things/people were meet with rejections/failures but they did not give up

• Let Go and surrender to the process knowing all is well-You’ve confronted your limiting beliefs/behaviors, examined your driving motivation to make a change, taken daily action and now it’s time to trust that all is working for your highest good.  

 Copyright©2008-Valerie Lipstein