Some of the biggest struggles I’ve experienced in growing and running a solopreneur business have been rooted in my own thinking: I can’t …  I should …  I’m bad at … I better not. Everyone has mindset blocks, but I find  introvert and HSP solopreneurs have our own flavor of mindset blocks that can get in the way.

I’ve got a quick assessment for you, along with some simple resets, below.

Sadly, this constrictive thinking ends up undermining our business progress and enjoyment. Left unchecked, it can kill your confidence and your business. Ack.

I have learned to catch these seemingly true thoughts (“But I really am bad at…”), and shift to a more effective (and truer) mindset without pushing myself to be someone I’m not.

Letting these mindset blocks continue is like driving with one foot on the brakes and one on the accelerator at the same time, and then wonder why the car won’t go.

Let’s bring compassion to this, and let’s make it easier. Let’s talk realities.

For Starters:

There’s nothing wrong with you. And there are ways to smooth the way for these wonderfully creative brains of ours.

I’ll describe some of these common mindset blocks, with a list of examples and resets, so you can assess for yourself and begin having some relief.

Growing a business is slow and challenging enough. We can make it easier by catching our inner resistance in the act more often.

Good news: Once you catch it, the blocks can start to weaken. 😀

Here’s my list of common subtle self-sabotage that gets in the way.

Quick Assessment: Do you have these thoughts?

Any of these sound familiar? They are all classic mindset blocks for highly sensitive and introvert solopreneurs:

1. I’m bad at business and marketing.

2. It’s not good to… charge that much, bother people again…. What will people think of me?

3. I don’t know what to do.

4. I’m in charge of my own time so I can focus on work later.

5. I have to wait until it’s ready.

Even if you only relate to one of them, it’s creating some brakes on your business and you could have more ease when you have a closer look.

They might sound harmless at first, but they are not.

I see these blocks show up a lot for introverts and HSPs, especially in the first two years in a solopreneur business. But they sneak in all along the way too. I often catch myself in the act now, and I keep going forward anyway.

Let’s look at the harm of these mindset patterns and how you can shift and keep moving forward.

Mindset Block #1: Saying “I’m bad at…”

Check out the subtle ways this one shows up, so you can catch it in the act more easily:

1. I’m no good at business.
2. Why can’t I just help clients? I don’t want to own a business.
3. They should hire someone better than me.
4. Too many others offer the same thing. My business won’t matter.
5. I’m bad at marketing.
6. I hate marketing.
7. I hate networking.
8. I’m bad at focus or self-discipline.
9. I’m bad at anything technical.

Sound familiar? You’re in good company!

And if you’re sitting there saying:
But I really am bad at…
That’s normal. The antidotes below will help you see there’s more to the picture.

What helps me shift this:

To combat “I’m bad at…”, I remind myself of these bigger truths:

1. I’m good at learning.
2. I have people I can ask.
3. I can search online for answers.
4. I can figure things out as I venture into the water. That’s how life works.
5. I have always landed on my feet even when I was new to things.
6. I can look for an easier way that works better for my style.
7. Maybe what I have to offer is just right for the right match client.

If one of these really resonates, try it out as a mantra.

You’re actually creative and resourceful in new situations, more than you realize in the moment.

Mindset Block #2: “It’s not good to…”

This inner “police” or “good girl” in our heads sounds like this:

1. Nobody wants another email so I shouldn’t send a newsletter.
2. I can’t bother people again. It’s not good to repeat.
3. If I mention my services, they’ll think I’m salesy or pushy.
4. I’m bad if I don’t use a sliding scale.
5. People will think I’m a snob if I charge that much.

What helps me shift this:

To combat, “It’s not good to…”, I remember:

1. If my heart is in the right place, people can tell and it will be fine.
2. I’m not bothering people if I invite them to receive a service they might actually want. If they don’t want it, that’s OK too.
3. If I remind them of the opportunity, they might be grateful.
4. I can run my business in ethical ways I feel good about. Nothing icky required.
5. It’s OK if I charge for my services so I can continue providing them. Fair exchange is a win-win for both parties.

If one of those truer statements strikes a chord, consider using it as an affirmation to repeat over and over. I find repeating affirmations very effective for shifting mindset blocks.

Mindset Block #3: “I don’t know…”

The various flavors of this one can look like:

1. I don’t know what to do.
2. I don’t know how to do marketing.
3. I have so many ideas, I don’t know which one to choose.
4. <spinning mind without clear words> – This one is maybe the most common of all.

What helps me shift this:

To overcome the “I don’t knows,” I remind myself:

1. I know how to learn and ask for help. I enjoy growth and getting stronger.
2. There are ways to do marketing that feel aligned with my personality and strengths, and if I don’t know what they are yet, I can go find out.
3. I don’t have to stay alone with decision-making. Talking it out helps me land.
4. I might just need a moment to breathe and ask my wise inner self (or the trees) to guide me. 🌳

You know how to figure things out and ask questions, and have been doing that your whole life. Be compassionate with yourself. Fearful parts are trying to keep you safe (and small). You can learn and keep making progress.

Mindset Block #4: “I can do it later…”

Recognize any of these patterns?

1. I’ll just go do laundry. (during time planned for work)
2. I work for myself so I can skip work anytime I feel like it.
3. It must be time for another snack.

What helps me shift this:

To conquer the “later” gremlin:

1. I’m still a good person if I’m avoiding and resisting work time. It’s just a fear, or a need for rest.
2. I take a good look at what I actually value and I turn towards acting on that value.
3. I set work hours with ample break times, and I keep these commitments to myself and leave home chores for other times.
4. If I’m nervous or confused about what to do during work time, it means it’s time to let in some support, such as a thinking partner or business coach.
5. I can draw on accountability methods like co-working with kindred spirit colleagues.
6. Self-compassion: Oh sweetie, I know you want a distraction now. You are safe.

Flexibility to work with your own energy and rhythms is a benefit of running your own business, but you can mix that with consistent work in your business and being trustworthy to yourself.

Mindset Block #5: “I’m waiting for…”

Recognize any of these?

1. I need to learn more first.
2. I have to wait until I’m more clear.
3. I’m not positive if I even want this business so it doesn’t make sense to do anything now.
4. I need to define the whole program before inviting people to sign up.
5. I’m waiting to know what to write before I sit down to write.
6. I can’t do that until my website is ready/ updated/ better.
7. I need to register my business before I can start anything.

What helps me shift this:

To stop the “waiting” game, I remind myself:

1. Clarity comes by taking steps forward. That’s when the motion sensor lights will come on! Small steps are ideal.
2. I can float an idea out there before I define it all, and that’s how I’ll discover whether to put more energy into it.
3. Let me just admit there’s fear behind this, even if I don’t know what I’m afraid of. I can soothe that worried part and ask my wiser self to guide me.
4. I can get a thinking partner to help me decide what is ready enough to show.
5. I can start seeing clients (or at least free clients) before registering anything, before a website, before “ready.” A lot can happen before all that.

If you’re saying, But I really am not ready… this one has got a hold of you and it’s time for a fresh look. There is no perfect ready, so waiting means never.

Can You Get Past These Thought Patterns?

Our brains are more easily nudged in the right direction than you might think at first. Most of those thoughts are black-and-white thinking, from the lizard brain.

Once you take a look at them consciously, from the wise part of your brain that is already alive and well, their overly simplistic logic can wither quickly. The lists above can help bring it to consciousness.

It’s not that they will disappear completely so don’t hold out for that. They just weaken as your wiser voice gets stronger, through conscious effort.

All these replacement mindsets, above, are growth mindsets and they are key components of the “entrepreneurial spirit.” It’s not something you’re born with or not. You can grow into that try-it-and-see mindset by working these muscles over time.

The main thing that has helped me and so many people I know, is not staying alone with it. Be with your fellow solopreneurs and you’ll laugh together with recognition at these patterns, and then courageous action starts taking over more easily. I see this over and over.

Bottom Line

1. These blocks are common for solopreneurs, with their own flavor for introverts and HSPs. There’s nothing wrong with you! It’s a normal brain thing to resist exposure and change. You’re in good company.
2. These thoughts can sound so true, at first. But constrictive thinking is not true, and it’s harmful to your progress.
3. A few small shifts in how you talk to yourself can go a long way, and the change can be easier than you might think.
4. To stay in a positive growth mindset without the brakes on, it takes conscious continual effort, like continuing to exercise. It’s super helpful to be around others doing the same, such as in a group like the SOULpreneurs Circle for Introverts and HSPs. Caring community has been a critical piece for me. 🙏

Which of the mindset blocks do you recognize? I welcome your comments and stories below.