Self-expression is a crucial aspect of any business promotion. It’s through the creative output of individuals that businesses are able to connect with their target audience and generate interest in their products or services.
People respond to relatability and what better way to be relatable than to express your individuality, quirkiness, creativity, humour, personal philosophies and life in general? However, for many people, the act of self-expression can be fraught with fear and insecurity, particularly the fear of rejection. This fear can be debilitating, preventing you from taking action and putting your ideas out into the world.
It is when your uniqueness needs to come to the forefront that the attack of the “what-ifs” usually happens.
“What if I’m too weird for the people?”
“What if I drive business away?”
“What if I make a mistake or get misunderstood?”
“What if this flops in a major way?”
The fear of rejection is a common emotion. It’s natural for people to want to be accepted and approved of by others, and the thought that your authenticity could be rejected can make it difficult to put yourself out there to promote your business. You might even manifest this fear through procrastination, self-doubt, negative self-talk, negative business talk and/or displaying a lack of confidence in your abilities.
Just because this fear is natural however, does not mean it cannot be overcome.
Overcoming the Fear of Rejection
It is in knowing that rejection and the fear of rejection is in fact a natural and normal part of the human experience, that you begin to set yourself free from that fear.
EVERYONE experiences rejection at some point in their lives. From the time you asked to be picked up as a toddler when your caretaker was too busy to do it right when you wanted, to the time your friend refused to go to the restaurant you so desperately wanted to try. Rejection happens to everyone, all the time.
Here are three ways to tackle your fear of rejection:
Remember that rejection is often not about YOU. As we grow older, we tend to forget that rejection is not a reflection of our worth but rather a reflection of the other person’s perspective or circumstance. That perspective and circumstance SHOULD NOT define our self-worth or self-expression.
Actively practising self-compassion. Compassion is a powerful tool for overcoming the fear of rejection. Treating yourself with the same kindness, concern, and understanding that you would offer to a good friend cuts through the harsh and critical voices that you fear. If your child’s classmates did not attend a party your child was looking forward to having, how would you help them bounce back? Would you be harsh and critical? Would you be kind and supportive? Would you find solutions to stop this from happening again? You can apply your answers to your business promotion.
Reframe the way you think about rejection. Instead of seeing rejection as a personal failure, try to view it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Rejection can offer valuable feedback and insight into what works and what doesn’t, and can help you improve and refine your approach to business promotion.
It’s important to remember that rejection is not the end of the road. There are always other opportunities and possibilities as long as you keep an open mind and are willing to try again.
Creating a Self-Expression Routine
While working on your new fearless perspective, NOW is the best time to practise putting yourself out there. Without the dread of being rejected for your unique self-expression, you can now translate this self-expression into business promotion.
You can start by creating a self-expression routine. Schedule a dedicated time each day and make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. The duration of this time is completely up to you but the key is to build momentum. This sacred time will be specifically for you to exercise some form of self-expression. Additionally, create a dedicated space for this activity to help inspire creativity and help you to focus.
Here’s what a self-expression routine might look like:
- Set aside dedicated time each day for your creative outlet. This could be as little as 15 minutes a day, or as much as an hour or more, depending on your schedule and preferences.
- Choose a specific activity or medium as your outlet. This could be writing, drawing, painting, photography, singing, knitting, or any other activity that allows you to express yourself creatively. Remember that you do even have to be good at this activity as long as you derive true joy, pleasure and a sense of accomplishment from it.
- Create a dedicated space for self-expression. This could be a special room or corner of your home, or even just a specific outfit, notebook or sketchbook that is ONLY used for this activity.
- After your self-expression session, take a few minutes to reflect on what you created and how you felt during the process. This can help you to understand your own patterns of behaviour and give you insight into what makes you feel powerful and accomplished.
- Once you feel comfortable, consider sharing your activity with others. This can be a great way to build confidence and get feedback on your work. It will help you to refine your approach and improve your skills while also building your confidence. Take as long as you need to get comfortable sharing, but do not allow fear to hold you back. Instead, be willing to receive feedback and criticism in a constructive way.
By creating a self-expression routine that you eventually share, you will develop the skills and mindset necessary to overcome the fear of rejection and the confidence required to promote your business successfully.
Translating Self-Expression into Business Promotion
Your unique creative output is EXACTLY what you need to connect with your target audience. You want to generate interest in your products or services and you are passionate about what you have to offer; let the world know this in your own unique way.
Look to attract the right kind of clients. By being true to yourself and expressing your unique voice and perspective, you will attract clients who resonate with your message and values. The people you want to do business with should understand your perspective, share some of your worldviews and relate to your message on a personal level. How will they find you unless you tell them exactly where you stand?
In order to build long-term, sustainable relationships with clients who are a good fit for your business, you have to show who you are and draw the people who LIKE who you are. In that way, you will never feel like you are selling yourself out just to please people.
Embrace the journey. Business promotion is not just about the end result, it’s also about the process. Have fun discovering what your clients want and how you can creatively and uniquely be of service to them. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.
Self-expression is a form of self-discovery, a way to get to know yourself better, understand your unique voice, and find your place in the world.
The Fearless Business Breakthrough for Coaches, Consultants and Freelancers is specifically crafted to get you started on the journey to understanding and expressing your unique voice.
As you learn to express yourself freely and do so even in a business setting, you will find that your business will follow that voice and take a form that attracts the people who need you.
