Unlocking the Power of Trust: Practical Strategies for Navigating Perfectionism & Uncertainty
Yep, we're still talking about TRUST...
In the world of business, trust plays a BIG role in shaping long-term success. But the thing that’s tricky about trust? It’s not a one-dimensional concept. It’s dynamic and multifaceted, and also a bit of a moving target, based on a whole bunch of ever-changing factors. Whether you've been in business for eons or you’re just starting out, understanding how to build and strengthen your trust muscle is key to long-term growth you’ll actually enjoy.
Today we’re diving into the many faces of trust and talking about practical strategies for navigating uncertainty & perfectionism, and strengthening your self-trust. We’ll talk about key areas like decision-making, time management, and self-worth so that you can unlock the power of trust and let it help you to build a thriving business.
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The Many Faces of Trust
Trust isn’t something that’s simply “on” or “off.” [I don’t know if this is a blessing or a curse, but it’s true either way!] Instead, the amount of trust we feel in ourselves fluctuates depending on the circumstances, our emotions, and external factors. We can imagine trust as a sliding scale or a dimmer switch; at its brightest, you might feel incredibly confident and empowered. But at its lowest? You might feel uncertain, doubtful, or even paralyzed. The truth is that trust isn’t today or ever going to be something we have or don’t have, instead, it’s a skill — and one that grows when we nurture it consistently.
The need for building this skill and tuning into trust is especially true when it comes to
business success. Your trust in yourself varies across different areas—your decision-making, your ability to manage time effectively, your confidence in your own self-worth, and even your relationship with money. All of these areas and the trust you feel (or don’t) in them impact your business decisions and ultimately determine whether you reach the level of success you really want.
Why Trust Matters in Business
Building trust is foundational to success, yet it’s often overlooked because building trust doesn’t feel like ‘doing’ anything.
But when you have high self-trust? You have ALL the best stuff - you feel more confident in your decisions, even when facing uncertainty. You’re better equipped to handle obstacles and navigate the complexities of business life.
And when you’re self-trust is lower on the scale? We end up second-guessing, procrastinating, and missing opportunities.
One of the interesting things here is that trust is NOT only about trusting yourself as a whole. It’s also about trusting your abilities, your expertise, and your judgment in various situations. When you trust yourself in each of those areas, you're more likely to take decisive action rather than hesitate. This trust in your capabilities across the areas that help you grow is what builds momentum and drives progress.
The trick, however, is that trust is a
moving target. It’s not something you can just “set and forget.” Your trust in yourself in any given area changes daily, even moment to moment. Some days, you might feel incredibly confident in your decisions, while other days, you may feel uncertain or unsure. It’s all part of the human experience. The key is learning how to manage these fluctuations in trust.
Navigating Uncertainty and Overcoming Perfectionism
Uncertainty is one of the most significant barriers to building trust in business. It’s natural to want certainty in every decision and outcome, but the reality is that uncertainty is inevitable. The more you try to control every variable, the more you’ll fall into the trap of perfectionism—where you fear making mistakes and become paralyzed by the need to get everything right.
One of the ways to stop this cycle before it starts is to practice embracing uncertainty. When you accept (and re-accept!) that you can’t control everything, you’ll likely find that the pressure to be perfect starts to ease. It’s easier said than done – but it’s about working to see things that are uncertain as opportunities for growth and learning. This shift in mindset is one way to tap into the power of trust.
Another way to work through perfectionism is to
build self-trust by recognizing the areas in your business where you already excel. For example, you might feel highly confident in your ability to teach, lead a team, or manage clients. Reflecting on these strengths allows you to draw on the confidence you’ve built in one area and apply it to other parts of your business.
Building Self-Trust in Key Areas
To build a strong relationship with trust, it’s important to focus on key areas in your business. Let’s break down a few of these:
- Decision-Making: Trusting your decision-making is one of the most critical aspects of building self-trust in business. When you trust your ability to make the right choices, you act with confidence and purpose. To strengthen your decision-making trust, focus on the evidence you have already, choose to trust your intuition on purpose, and decide that once you choose to trust yourself, that you’ve made the choice!
- Time Management: Managing time effectively requires trust in your ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and remain focused. When trust is low, procrastination often creeps in, leading to what might feel like missed opportunities or wasted time. You can work on practicing trust in this area by thinking about which priorities matter to you FIRST on any given day, and trusting your choices.
- Self-Worth: Your belief in your value as a business owner directly impacts your success. If you struggle with self-doubt or feel unworthy, it will show up in your business decisions, pricing, and interactions with clients – it’s hard for other people to buy ‘maybe I can help you”. Building self-trust involves regularly taking time to ground yourself in your inherent worth and trusting that you can and will achieve your goals.
- Managing Money: Trusting your relationship with money is another key area for business owners. If you have a negative or anxious relationship with money, it will obviously hinder your ability to make money decisions. Building trust in this area includes allowing yourself to be aware of your money rather than hiding from it – the more you know, the more you know 😊.
Practical Strategies to Strengthen Your Trust Muscle
Here are some additional practical strategies to strengthen your trust muscle and manage common challenges like perfectionism and uncertainty.
- Journal Your Thoughts: I’m a big fan of journaling your thoughts and writing about your work on purpose, especially when it comes to trust. By writing down what you’re feeling about trust in your business, you can pinpoint areas of doubt, notice them, and make decisions to adjust what you do next.
- Identify Areas of Strength: Think about the areas in your business where you already feel confident. How can you use this confidence to tackle other areas of uncertainty? Recognize your strengths and borrow trust from them.
- Normalize Uncertainty: Accept that uncertainty is part of the entrepreneurial journey – and also life in general. No one has all the answers, and no one is perfect. The more you embrace uncertainty, the more confident you’ll feel in navigating it.
- Set Small, Achievable Goals: Trust is built one step at a time, over time, just like anything else. Each time you accomplish a goal, it reinforces your belief in your abilities and boosts your self-trust.
Final Thoughts: Start Strengthening Your Trust Muscle Today
Building trust in your business is an ongoing process that works MUCH more effectively when you practice with self-awareness, consistency, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. By strengthening your trust in key areas like decision-making, time management, and self-worth, you can use the power of trust to your advantage to pave the way for long-term success.
Trust is not static—it’s dynamic, and it’s something you can cultivate and grow. Start today by identifying where your trust is high and where it needs work. Practice building self-trust in the areas that challenge you, and watch how your confidence grows, and so does your business.
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