Three Steps To Controlling Your 'Success Jitters'

Debbie was full of enthusiasm as she built her business plans and was finally ready to launch her catering business. She had been catering ‘informally’ for years, mostly for important events held by friends and colleagues. She had reams of testimonials from very satisfied customers. There was no doubt that she was a talented caterer.

However, as she got closer to the launch date signs of trouble started to appear. She ‘forgot’ to drop off information for her brochure at the printer and delayed returning calls from a prospective client she had been pursuing for months.

I asked Debbie if she was aware of these patterns of behaviour. She thought for a moment and then said, ‘I know I’m a good cook but every time I think about officially launching my business my stomach churns and my palms sweat. ‘ She laughed nervously . ‘I find myself doing crazy things like questioning whether I should spend £50 extra for colour brochures. How crazy is that?

There was no doubt in my mind what was going on – Debbie had the ‘success jitters’. You’ve probably experienced them too – the sudden attack of nerves that wrap your courage in a vice-like grip when you start turning your dreams into reality

Suddenly your perception shifts. What started out as a testimonial from a satisfied client now sounds like you’re being boastful. You think, ‘Perhaps I’m not that good after all. Perhaps that client was just being kind.’ Your self-belief is being eroded by your self-doubt and the success jitters leap into action.

How can you manage your success jitters?

1. Face your fear and do it anyway.

It’s perfectly naturally to feel scared when you take on new challenges. Accept fear as natural, it nearly always goes hand in hand with success.

2. Keep your eyes on the dream.

Get connected to the passion you felt at the start. Look forward to the freedom of being a self-bosser. Taste the joy that helping others will bring. Feel the pleasure of doing something you love and are brilliant at. By reconnecting to the passion your energy remains high and the success jitters under control.

3. Take a success step every single day.

A "success step" is any action that is difficult for you - it could be starting your business plan, writing an article, or calling someone for advice and direction. If you do something scary each day - even just a tiny something - you'll fuel your courage to take on bigger risks. For example, Debbie scheduled her presentation to the prospective client far enough in advance so that she would have plenty of time to practice. Her daily success steps build her confidence and keep the success jitters at bay.

What is your success step for today?

One of the secrets of life is to make stepping-stones out of stumbling blocks. ~ Jack Penn