Too often solo-entrepreneurs can get caught up in negative thinking that sends them on downward spiral of self-sabotage.  Solo-entrepreneur’s are particularly vulnerable because they are always trying to figure everything out on their own.  The problem with that is that we tend to be limited in what we can come up with for a solution.  There’s another way.

If you are business owner, particularly a self-employed business owner who works alone, you cannot afford to focus on what’s wrong.  I’m not saying you should bury your head in the sand and pretend everything is okay if it’s not, you do need to know what’s going on in your business, but the way we look a problem can have a huge impact on our future success.

If you are looking at yourself negatively do you think you can present the image that you are the go-to expert in your field?  Probably not.  Being perceived as a qualified expert is as much about confidence as anything else.

If your business isn’t going as well as you’d like, maybe you’re in a slump, you may be experiencing doubt about your abilities, your likability, and all kinds of nasty, negative thoughts might be crowding in.  You might be ready to throw in the towel and go get a job.  But is it possible that it doesn’t represent a sign from the Heavens that you shouldn’t be in business at all, or that you’re a terrible business person who doesn’t know what they’re doing?  What if you changed your thoughts and thought of a slump as a temporary cash-flow problem and not a sign of your capabilities?

What would that do to your world?   Would it change the way you felt about yourself to know that a slump in business is only a temporary cash-flow problem and not a reflection on your abilities?  Wouldn’t your confidence improve and couldn’t you easily find a way to bring in more money?   Maybe that does mean you have to get a job to bring in some cash but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be in business or that you aren’t qualified.

What would it do to your world if you could change your thoughts to believe that you are the best at what you do?  That no one can do exactly what you do in the way that you do it?  What if you could you be #1 in your category?  Wouldn’t that change your world? Wouldn’t that change the way you presented yourself to your potential clients?

What would happen if you started thinking differently?  Is it possible that you would find out that you are good enough, competent enough, experienced enough, fill-in-the-blank enough, or just enough period?

If you want to establish your position as the go-to expert in your field then you absolutely must change your thoughts.  You must believe that you have what it takes to be the best.  If you don’t believe it then no one else will.

Worrying never solves any problems.  Letting go of worry and being open to different ideas, different ways of looking at situations, and different opportunities does.   The true antidote to worry is prayer so I ask you to try it, regardless of where you are in faith.  If you don’t know where to start, just start with a simple request for an open heart and an open mind.  You’ll be amazed at the power that can spring from such simple words.

My encouragement for you is that if you have been stressing out about your business you try changing your thoughts to look at whatever situation you’re in as a temporary problem, not a permanent answer.  Remember, you can achieve whatever you believe as long as you are willing to work for it.

Liz Uram is a Business Development and Marketing Strategy Expert.  Visit The Coach & Mentor Group to grab your free eBook ‘5 Ways To Boost Your Business Now!’