Fear Is a Feature, Not a bug
Entrepreneurship looks thrilling from the outside—bold moves, big wins, and the freedom to be your own boss. But behind the highlight reel? It’s often a daily battle with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the kind of stress that keeps you wide awake at 2 a.m.
And here’s the kicker—data backs this up. A Founder Reports survey found that 87.7% of entrepreneurs struggle with at least one mental health issue. Additionally, a survey highlighted that 50.2% of entrepreneurs struggle with anxiety, and 34.4% experience burnout.
The good news? Fear isn’t actually the enemy. A recent study shows that successful entrepreneurs aren’t just fearless risk-takers—they are courageous individuals who build the psychological strength and resources to handle challenges, recover from failures, and persist toward long-term fulfillment. In other words, how you handle fear, and who’s in your corner, matters just as much as external circumstances.
Three Ways to Work With Fear (Instead of Against It)
1. Stop Making Fear the Villain
Fear isn’t a sign you’re failing. It’s a sign you care.
Instead of spiralling, try this: Next time fear shows up, treat it like an overcautious intern—acknowledge it, take what’s useful, and then move forward.
That intern is nervous for a reason, and it’s worth listening to. But they also lack the full picture. By managing your inner “overcautious intern,” you can distinguish between reasonable concerns and overblown catastrophizing, giving yourself a clearer, more balanced perspective.
2. Get Specific About What’s Actually Scary
"Failure" isn’t a real fear. It’s a vague, amorphous blob. But what are you actually afraid of?
No one buys your product? A big client walks away? Public humiliation on LinkedIn?
A survey by Xero found that 90% of small business owners experience anxiety over financial instability. Makes sense—money stress is real. But once you name the fear, you can plan for it. Worst-case scenarios feel less paralyzing when you know what you’d actually do if they happened.
3. Say the Scary Stuff Out Loud
Fear thrives in silence. The more you keep it in, the bigger it gets.
A Harvard Business Review study found that entrepreneurs who talk about their challenges feel significantly less stress and are more likely to make clear-headed decisions. So, find a therapist, a mentor, or a fellow entrepreneur and say the thing:
"I’m scared this won’t work."
"I have no idea what I’m doing."
"What if this is all a huge mistake?"
Nine times out of ten, the response will be: "Oh yeah, me too."
The truth about ‘fearless’ entrepreneurs is that they don’t exist. Every entrepreneur you admire has questioned themselves, made bad calls, and considered quitting. The only difference? They didn’t let fear make their decisions for them.
If you’re in the thick of it…
Get support. Therapy isn’t just for meltdowns—it’s for making better decisions under pressure.
Build your safety net. Not just financially, but emotionally. You need people who get it.
If you’re supporting someone in their struggles…
Be a safe space. Sometimes, “Yeah, that sounds stressful” is more helpful than unsolicited advice.
Normalize struggle. Nobody has it all figured out, and pretending otherwise just makes it harder.
The next time fear creeps in, remember: Even the most successful entrepreneurs felt this way, too. You’re in good company. Keep going.
Author
Krista Teara
Therapist and Entrepreneur
Schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Krista today.
