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How to Build Confidence and Succeed in Your Side Hustle
Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt:
Glen Patterson
October 14, 2025
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”
The Real Barrier Isn’t Strategy, It’s Self-Doubt
Let’s be honest, starting a side hustle sounds exciting until it’s time to actually start.
Then the doubts creep in:
“What if no one buys from me?”
“What if I fail?”
“What if I’m just not cut out for this?”
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Fear and self-doubt are the biggest reasons most side hustles never make it past the idea stage. But that’s okay because confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build through action and mindset.
Why Fear and Doubt Show Up (and Why They’re Actually a Good Sign)
When you launch something new — a service, a product, or a business — you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. That fear you feel? It’s proof that you’re growing.
In fact, psychologists call it productive discomfort. The tension that pushes you to adapt, learn, and ultimately level up.
The problem isn’t fear itself, it’s letting fear make your decisions. The goal isn’t to eliminate doubt, but to move forward despite it.
Mindset Shifts to Help You Push Through Fear
1️. Reframe Fear as Fuel
Why it matters:
Fear shows you’re doing something that matters. It means you care. High performers don’t avoid fear, they learn to use it.
✅ How to do it:
When you feel afraid, ask: “What is this fear trying to teach me?”
Channel the energy into preparation and learning instead of hesitation.
2️. Start Before You Feel Ready
Why it matters:
Confidence doesn’t come before you act—it comes because you act. Every post, pitch, or client call makes you stronger.
✅ How to do it:
Launch your idea in a small way (a beta offer, a test client, a single product).
Get feedback fast. Iterate and improve as you go.
3️. Shift from Perfection to Progress
Why it matters:
Waiting until something’s “perfect” kills momentum. Done is better than perfect—especially when you’re building something new.
✅ How to do it:
Set a 48-hour rule: once you plan it, act on it within two days.
Focus on getting 1% better each week, not 100% perfect overnight.
4️. Surround Yourself with Builders
Why it matters:
Self-doubt multiplies in isolation. When you connect with other builders, you normalize the ups and downs of growth.
✅ How to do it:
Join communities of creators, freelancers, and entrepreneurs
Share your progress publicly, it helps you builds accountability and confidence
Take These Steps to Start Building Unshakable Confidence Today
✅ Identify Your Biggest Fear: Write it down and ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” Often, it’s less catastrophic than it feels.
✅ Take One Bold Step: Publish the post. Reach out to the client. Record the video. Action kills anxiety.
✅ Track Wins, Not Worries: Keep a “confidence journal” to record your small wins. Progress compounds when you see how far you’ve come.
Overcoming fear and self-doubt is a continuous process, but with the right mindset shifts and strategies, you can achieve success with your side hustle.
Find your North Star.
Stay positive. Stay focused. Keep learning. Stay connected.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to bringing you more valuable insights and resources in the future.