As one of my goals for 2020 is to create my own earning company, I am currently at sea, riding the swells of fear and self belief challenges.

There are a whole bunch of self-limiting beliefs: Self doubt. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear or starting too late!

Yet it seems fear of others’ judgement remains for many of us a real, limiting challenge. And fear of failure.

I have read plenty of advice about breathing, ignoring naysayers and continuing moving forward one step at a time.

I recently read an article about worrying about what others think in Harvard Business Review titled How to Stop Worrying What Other People Think of You.

Leo Babauta at Zen Habits wrote an article called Best 8 Ways to Deal with Detractors in which he offers up ways of dealing with detractors.

A little while ago I completed a meditation on things that limit me. It was part of Deepak Chopra’s 21 day Abundance meditation challenge. Top of my list was questionable self-belief and second was fear of the judgements and opinions of others! At my middle age!?

So as I seem to give great power to others’ opinions of me and as this is one of my self-limiting triggers – I thought I would share Leo’s article. As I am finding with Leo’s advice it is always calm, considered and open.

In creating my own business one of my easiest pits is taking what detractors say and doing this –

“Suddenly, there’s a seed of doubt. And it can grow into a huge oak tree of doubt, with roots that tear up the foundation of your goals.” 

Leo Babauta

It seems so many of us suffer the same self-limiting beliefs. So much so that people write about it to help. And some days we need help more than others. Thank you Leo for sharing your wisdom and experience.

I suppose keeping the focus on ourselves is a good way of limiting the impact of others’ opinions. Focusing on our skills, work, knowledge and experience, rather than on others.