Millions of people have made the decision to be entrepreneurs, and millions more will follow. One thing that many of them have in common is preparing for the unknown. What nobody tells those who decide to become self-employed is that there are numerous things that will get in the way of your plan and that there will be some people who second-guess what they are doing or simply walk away. The good news is that the fear of the unknown doesn’t have to rule. There are proven ways to become a successful entrepreneur. 

Fear and hesitation are a reality for all entrepreneurs, including the most successful. That same fear and hesitation can become crippling if they are not addressed head-on and conquered. While many people have the dream of being an entrepreneur, they don’t find out until they get started that there are ups and downs, and there is uncertainty. You have a choice. You can let your worries keep you from your dream, or you can choose to let it motivate you.

Many consultants are teaching business owners and entrepreneurs to “pivot and flex.” No matter what the world has thrown at you, you must always move toward your goal, not pivot into new directions.

Once a business owner defines not only their goal, but their “Unifying Vision” the hurdles and the uncertainty will become a breeze to navigate through. A Unifying Vision will allow everyone on your team to be mobilized when they find their own noble purpose in that vision. Your vision will be shared by a team that can overcome all obstacles.

The key is to become fully empowered so that you can realize your potential and move through the fear, so you can reach your vision.

Here are six tips for successful entrepreneurs to become fully empowered:

• Take the time to balance the fear against the fear of not taking action. There is fear in not taking the entrepreneurial steps you want to take, too.
• Remind yourself of why you are doing what you are doing. Everyone has reasons for why they become an entrepreneur in the first place. There may be times when you have to remind yourself of what those reasons are.Find a mentor who can help you through the fear. At one time, the mentor likely experienced fear as well, and will know how to help you move past it.
• Don’t worry about years down the road. Rather, take it one day at a time. It may create more fear and worry to look at things in the future. Instead, focus on the here and now.
• Avoid hesitating because of fear. When you hesitate, you give the fear power, and it can become stronger.
• No matter what route you take, choose to be the best you can be. Never lose sight of your vision.
• Embrace your fears and allow them to motivate you, rather than hold you back. Success is often on the other side of the fear that we push past.

Yes, there is some fear, due to stress and challenges, when being an entrepreneur, but it’s important to remember that the fear of the risks you take are what make the outcome worthwhile. Successful entrepreneurs become empowered, so the fear doesn’t hold them back.