5 Ways Trauma Is Holding Your Business Back
- Dec 4, 2023
- 4 min read
Written by: Rut E Echevarria, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Trauma stemming from emotional wounds poses a unique challenge for entrepreneurs. Extensive research reveals that trauma can impact the brain and body, including a dysregulated central nervous system. The question arises: Can one truly build a thriving business when past trauma affects mental function and physical well-being?
I firmly believe that everyone has been touched by trauma, extending beyond major life-altering events. It can result from persistent emotional neglect, subtle micro-injuries, or any hurtful experience that remains unprocessed or unhealed.
Reflecting on my journey, a part of me felt like I didn't fit in anywhere. My job didn't allow me to unleash my potential, and the poor salary conditions left me frustrated and disheartened. I dreamt of having a business, but how?
I had a complex trauma and didn't even know it!
Some of the symptoms of my trauma and dysregulated nervous system were:
lacking internal confidence to build a business;
panic and anxiety of the unknown;
lack of self-trust
insecurity.
My struggle led to the inception of Metamorphosis Escuela de Vida. Unbeknownst to me, as a social worker, I grappled with trauma and emotional wounds. Feelings of despair, helplessness, and shame dominated my life, attributed to "bad luck" and rejection from the universe.
Normalizing our symptoms closes our eyes to their abnormality. If I, a social worker, had unnoticed traumas, what about others? I once thought I was inherently flawed, only later realizing these were traumas primarily rooted in childhood.
Today, coexisting with trauma and entrepreneurship is feasible through conscious effort. Unaware of emotional wounds from trauma, resolution remains elusive. Here are five surprising ways, seemingly ordinary for entrepreneurs, intricately tied to trauma, emotional wounds, and the central nervous system:
Fear of visibility
Entrepreneurial challenges often involve trauma manifesting as a fear of visibility. Entrepreneurs may refrain from promoting their businesses due to the perceived danger of being seen. The fear triggers responses like rejection, judgment, and threat. Intentionally playing small becomes a defense mechanism to avoid being visited and triggered.
Can’t say “no”
The inability to say "no" and set boundaries can seriously threaten our business, often leading to quickly burning out.
Being overly nice is based on the fawning response of the nervous system, a blend of the flight and freeze responses. The fawning response disconnects us from our voice, resulting in silence from fear when we should establish order and express an opinion.
As an entrepreneur, having a voice without fear is vital.
Lack of trust
Overcoming trust issues is essential for fostering a healthy professional network.
Often, childhood emotional wounds of abandonment or rejection leave us with trust issues, making it challenging to form and maintain professional relationships. We become hypervigilant – constantly scanning our environments for potential threats – because we don't trust those around us. This can also lead us to second-guess our judgment or decisions instead of trusting our abilities.
Self-sabotage
Subconscious self-sabotage patterns stemming from trauma can impede your business's progress. Recognizing these patterns, digging into why we have these patterns, and actively working on breaking free from self-sabotaging behaviors are essential for unleashing our true potential.
Examples of self-sabotage: doom scrolling, not setting clear expectations with clients, procrastination, perfectionism, time management issues
Addiction to negative emotions
Experiencing complex trauma can accustom our bodies to a dysregulated nervous system that generates stress and cortisol. In contrast, success involves unfamiliar emotions for your nervous system.
Operating a business with trauma and a hyper-alert nervous system can be problematic when inappropriate responses are activated — avoiding when we should confront, starting conflict when we should be controlled, freezing when decisions are needed, and pleasing when we should assert authority.
Building new internal foundations that support the version you want to create is crucial for achieving your goals. The most critical foundations are mindset, beliefs, a nervous system, and emotions, allowing you to navigate through all the emotional wounds without triggering a negative response.
Things you can do today to get you started on healing your trauma and emotional wounds:
Acknowledge your symptoms without identifying with them. They are just experiences and do not define you.
Take inspired actions that enable you to learn and overcome your entrepreneurial challenges.
Seek help from a professional expert in the area you wish to work on. You may need various professionals for different aspects, such as mindset, nervous system, or your relationship with money.
We cannot grow and heal in solitude. Successful entrepreneurship is possible, and the healthier your nervous system is as an entrepreneur, the more capacity you'll have to achieve everything you set out to do.
Take the first step towards healing and success
Do you recognize any of these traits in yourself? How much are they impacting your business (or other relationships)?
I invite you to take the first step towards healing and success. Contact professionals who can guide you in reshaping your mindset, navigating emotions, and establishing a foundation for success. Your journey in overcoming entrepreneurial challenges begins with acknowledging the need for support and taking intentional steps toward growth and healing. Don't let past traumas hold you back — embrace the opportunity for transformation and success!
Rut E Echevarria, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Rut Elisa is a trailblazer in holistic health, specializing as a Trauma Coach and leader in comprehensive healing. Fueled by her personal struggle with trauma and a lack of accessible tools, she founded Metamorphosis Life School, providing individuals with empowering tools for emotional healing. With a dedicated focus on the global Latino community, Rut is now expanding her impact to the English-speaking community. Her mission is clear: guide trauma survivors from pain to emotional mastery. Rut's approach goes beyond survival, empowering individuals to take control of their lives and become masters of their emotional well-being. With a diverse clientele worldwide, Rut Elisa is making a significant impact on how individuals navigate and overcome trauma, fostering a global community of strength, growth, and empowerment.
