Is Becoming an Entrepreneur Feeling Confusing? Here’s How to Cut Through the Noise

Brené Brown writes that making false assumptions about leaders feels dangerous - because long-term success has less to do with circumstances and much more to do with your personal ability to get back up when things go wrong. 

As I like to say, fall down 6 times, get up Seven (yes, that’s a bad pun on my name - #sorrynotsorry).

If you want to start your own organisation, you will need to get to grips with the fact that you WILL need to be a leader. After all, an entrepreneur is just another word for a leader. And there’s a crucial difference here between leadership skills and being a leader. 

Navigating the Overwhelm of Entrepreneurship

Thinking about starting your own organization? Here’s a reality check: you’ll need to embrace the fact that you WILL become a leader. An entrepreneur, after all, is just another term for a leader. But there's a big difference between having leadership skills and truly stepping into the role of a leader.

Feeling overwhelmed by this realization? That's actually a good sign.

Why Feeling Overwhelmed Can Be a Good Thing

If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed by the idea of starting your own business, it means you understand the gravity of the leadership responsibilities ahead of you. Let’s face it, if the prospect of leading didn’t make you a bit nervous, would you be driven to rise to the challenge?

Remember, success represents change—and change is always an unknown. It’s natural to feel uncertain. The key is learning how to navigate this uncertainty and take steps toward your goals without getting lost in the noise.

Here are some practical strategies to help you cut through the confusion and get started on your entrepreneurial journey.

1. Learn, But Learn Selectively

“Learn the right things” sounds obvious, right? But in today’s information age, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice, tips, and strategies out there. How do you know what’s right for you?

Here’s the truth: There’s a huge difference between truly learning and simply being bombarded by information. Our society is obsessed with “doing,” which often means cramming as much information into our brains as possible, even if we can’t fully understand or use it.

How to Learn Effectively:

• Find Trustworthy Sources: Instead of drowning in a sea of superficial advice, focus on a few reliable sources that genuinely walk you through, teach, or coach you in a way that resonates with you. Look for information that is specific, measurable, and actionable.

• Avoid Information Overload: Don’t waste time on every opinion you find on social media. Select resources that align with your goals and filter out the noise.

2. Expand Your Circle of Influence

Your network, your Circle of Influence, is one of the most critical assets in your entrepreneurial journey. It’s not just about learning from others but also about positioning yourself to gain new insights and opportunities.

How to Build and Leverage Your Network:

• Reach Out to Your Existing Connections: If you already know people in entrepreneurship or your desired industry, start a conversation. Most people are willing to share their experiences and advice if you show genuine interest.

• Create New Connections: If you lack a network, take proactive steps to build one. Platforms like LinkedIn are great for finding potential mentors or peers. When reaching out, make it personal and specific:

  “Hi [person], my name is [your name], and I’m interested in building a business like yours. I came across your profile and found your posts and past work really inspiring. I’d love to have a quick 15-minute conversation to learn more about how you got started, if you’re open to it.”

  This approach is:

  • Direct and Confident: Shows you’re eager to learn.

  • Vulnerable: You’re human, and it’s okay to ask for help.

  • Well-Researched: Indicates you’re serious about your progress.

Takeaway: Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Make your own opportunities by actively building and expanding your network!

3. Challenge Yourself

Leadership begins with taking control, and that starts with challenging yourself. The great news is, we have millennia of knowledge on how to build businesses, so much of the hard work has already been done for us.

Set Yourself Clear Goals:

• Define Clear Challenges: Get serious by setting specific challenges for yourself—create a brand in a week, build a new sales pipeline, or expand your network within a month. Deadlines keep you accountable and driven.

• Stay Focused on What Matters: Being a leader may sound challenging, but starting your business doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Yes, you will evolve with your organization, but you can create something exciting in a surprisingly short amount of time.

Key Insight: The biggest obstacle often isn’t the challenge itself—it’s your fear of change. Overcome it by taking deliberate, focused steps toward your goals.

4. Find Your Motivation and Stay Grounded

Many people step into leadership roles or start their own organizations to change their lives or how they work. While these changes don’t happen overnight, they don’t need to be overwhelming, destroy your mental health, or feel endlessly confusing.

Here’s How to Stay Motivated:

• Trustworthy Resources Are Key: Find resources that guide you effectively. Choose quality over quantity, and focus on learning what truly matters for your specific goals.

• Build Habits That Support Your Growth: Make time for habits that keep you energized, focused, and motivated. Whether it’s reading, networking, exercising, or setting daily goals, these habits will keep you moving forward.

• Have A Clear Vision: Many of us think we have a vision - but we don’t. Not really. Because a vision is a real clarity of details. This means we need to take time to actually sit with our thoughts and feelings about what we want, and physically outline the vision. Intentionally.

You Have What It Takes

Becoming an entrepreneur can feel overwhelming, but remember that this is a sign you’re on the right track. Embrace the confusion as a part of the journey, and use these strategies to cut through the noise and stay focused on what truly matters.

You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.

Many people get into leadership roles or become leaders themselves - such as through an organisation of their own - to change their lives or the way they work. And although that doesn't happen overnight, it doesn’t need to take an earth-shattering amount of work, or destroy your mental health, or even be confusing at all. As long as you find some useful and trustworthy resources, you WILL achieve that dream!

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About Seven

Hey friends! I’m Seven - I write about challenges and opportunities affecting leaders across business. I release a weekly newsletter and a podcast, helping folks understand the leadership journeys and challenges out there, so we can better understand our purpose, place, and potential. The goal: to learn about what it means to be a leader, to support leaders, to find leaders, and to discover the leader within.

I’m delighted to have received so many kind words about my newsletter, other writings, and content - so if you’d like to join the ride for free, please keep up to date by subscribing to my newsletter. Weekly thought pieces and updates, and no selling 😜

Lots of love, and here’s to your success!