Conquering CEO Anxiety – Three Common Fears And Solutions To Overcome Them
- Apr 14, 2024
- 4 min read
Written by Danielle Levy, Business Coach & Strategist
Danielle Levy is a sought-after business consultant who helps business owners expand with clarity and efficiency. Danielle is also the Founder and CEO of The Boardroom League™, a team of experts providing holistic business consulting and implementation services for entrepreneurs. She holds an MBA, is certified as a Project Management Professional, and is a FG Certified Master Marketer.
Starting a new business can be equal parts exciting and anxiety-inducing. If you’re like many, you’re feeling excited about working for yourself, setting your own schedule, making more money, and realizing your vision. If only your anxiety wouldn’t get in the way, right?
As someone who left the corporate world seven years ago, I know exactly what it’s like to leave your comfort zone and step into the unknown. I knew how to command a board room, control the most challenging projects no one else wanted, and talk to the highest-level executives.
But it was all so different in the online space.
Transitioning from the familiar to the unfamiliar presented new challenges and uncertainties. And so much anxiety!! Yet, it was precisely this unfamiliarity that prompted me to grow and adapt in ways I hadn't imagined.
The point is this: not all anxiety is bad
Mine didn’t last forever, and neither will yours.
So, if you're grappling with any of the following anxieties, know you're not alone. And if you need some ideas, you’re in luck. Today, I’m discussing three common CEO anxieties and strategies for overcoming them.
Anxiety 1: Failure
It’s entirely understandable to worry about failing. After all, you now have a company to run, clients, and a team that depends on you.
Failures are inevitable, though. No one is perfect.
Remember, every mistake, disappointment, and failure is an opportunity for growth. Think of it as failing forward. You're moving forward if you’re learning from your mistakes.
To overcome a fear of failure...
Do this:
Accept that failures will happen. To everyone.
When a failure or mistake occurs: ask yourself what happened.
Determine if there were any secondary issues.
If you’ve uncovered secondary issues, then go deeper and ascertain if there were any tertiary issues.
Anxiety 2: Financial insecurity
A fear of financial insecurity is totally understandable, but don’t let your fears stop you! To overcome it...
Do this:
Create a financial safety net first - Guess what makes becoming a new business owner far less terrifying? When you have a nest egg saved up equivalent to 6 to 12 months of your living expenses.
Create a detailed business plan - You should not leave your business's long-term success to the whims of fate, the market, or anything else. Before you open your virtual doors, you must have a detailed business plan.
Already in business? That’s ok! But you need to sit down NOW and develop a plan. Then, reassess three to four times per year, to see where you’re at, where you want to be, the steps you need to take to get there, and the data you will track.
Consult a professional - If you're struggling and you don’t know what to do or even how to get unstuck, there is no shame in consulting with a professional business strategist such as myself.
Accepting and asking for help are sometimes the best things you can do for yourself and your business.
Anxiety 3: Having insufficient skills or knowledge
This one can hit hard no matter how much life or work experience you have. However!
You don’t need to be an expert in everyone’s job. Your expertise lies in having the vision, the strategy to realize that vision, and being an effective leader because you can’t do it alone.
To overcome this anxiety...
Do this:
Emotional intelligence training - Emotional intelligence, or EQ, measures one's ability to recognize, understand, regulate, and express one's and others' emotions.
As a leader, your EQ affects productivity, job performance, turnover rates, and more. Not sure of your EQ? Take my assessment here.
Find a mentor - It’s lonely at the top, which is why you need a mentor. Ask your network, build a relationship with someone you’ve admired online, or get out there and attend networking events.
The point is to find a mentor!
Learn to delegate - If there’s one thing that can slow down your progress and lead to overwork and burnout, it’s an inability to delegate. Effective delegation strategies are essential to empowering your team and boosting productivity.
Looking to scale your business? Delegating is essential. Learn how to delegate effectively with my free guide.
Listen, you’re not alone if your CEO anxieties are getting the best of you. The secret is to have a plan moving forward. If you do, and your plan includes the above strategies, then I’m confident you’ll be better equipped to handle whatever anxiety pops up.
Need to discuss an anxiety not mentioned above? Or are you a CEO who can’t seem to overcome your anxiety? Schedule a discovery call here to see how I can help.
Danielle Levy, Business Coach & Strategist
Danielle Levy is a sought-after business consultant who helps business owners expand with clarity and efficiency. Danielle is also the Founder and CEO of The Boardroom League™, a team of experts providing holistic business consulting and implementation services for entrepreneurs. She holds an MBA, is certified as a Project Management Professional, and is a FG Certified Master Marketer.
Danielle has 15 years of agency experience, helping her bring a unique perspective to all of her clients. A problem solver at heart, she believes in helping business owners go from Chief of Everything Officer to Chief Executive Officer, so they can focus on their vision, instead of being distracted by day-to-day business obligations. By establishing solid business foundations and implementing streamlined systems, Danielle's clients are not only able to regain their freedom but also rediscover the joy of running their businesses.
