Stop Overthinking: A Friendly Nudge for the Early Days of Your Business
When I first started my business, I must have rearranged my homepage copy a dozen times in one week. Not because it wasn’t good—but because I kept doubting myself. Should I say it this way? Would this make sense to people? Would my cousin get it? (Spoiler: my cousin wasn’t my dream client.)
I remember staring at my screen, paralyzed—not from lack of ideas, but from too many. Every decision felt permanent. Every choice felt like it had to be perfect before I could move forward.
If that sounds familiar, I want you to know: you're not alone. Overthinking is something almost every heart-led entrepreneur wrestles with when they're first starting out. Especially if your work is deeply personal or intuitive, it can feel like you’re putting a piece of your soul on display.
But here's the truth I’ve learned again and again: clarity comes from doing, not from thinking harder.
Why Overthinking Happens in the Early Stages
When you're building something new—especially something as personal as a coaching or creative business—it makes sense that you want it to feel right. You want it to reflect who you are. You want it to resonate.
So you:
Ask friends and family for feedback.
Try to get everything polished before going live.
Wonder if you need another certification or tweak your brand colors just one more time.
And before you know it, you’ve spent weeks (or months) circling around decisions instead of making real progress.
The Problem with Crowdsourcing Confidence
Here’s a gentle reminder: your loved ones are treasures—but unless they are also your ideal clients, their opinions can lead you astray.
Your best friend might not understand your offer because she’s not the one who needs it.
Your sister might suggest a totally different direction because it’s what she would want.
Your partner might worry about risk more than vision.
And none of them are wrong. But they’re not your audience.
If you seek outside feedback (and sometimes it is helpful), make sure it comes from someone who:
Understands your industry or business model
Knows how to give constructive, objective feedback
Doesn’t have a personal stake in the outcome
Gentle Ways to Move Through Overthinking
Set a time limit for decisions. Give yourself 30 minutes, 2 hours, or 1 day—whatever feels like a challenge without being panic-inducing.
Focus on progress, not perfection. Done is better than perfect. You can always tweak and refine as you go.
Create for your ideal client—not your peers or family. Picture one person you’re excited to serve. Speak directly to them.
Limit the voices in the room. Choose one trusted mentor or advisor—not a group chat.
Launch before you feel 100% ready. That moment might never come. Start with 80% and let experience sharpen the rest.
You’re Allowed to Start Imperfectly
Building a business is not a final exam. It’s a creative process. And like any good process, it evolves.
The sooner you give yourself permission to move forward—even if it’s a little messy—the sooner you’ll gather the real insights that move you forward.
So if you’re stuck tweaking your homepage again or rewriting your elevator pitch for the fifth time this week… pause. Breathe. Ask yourself: what would change if I trusted myself a little more today?
Because you don’t need to get it perfect to get it going. You just need to begin.
About The Author:
Deana Ward is an experienced Squarespace website designer and professional copywriter. Over the past decade, she’s helped thousands of business owners ditch the DIY hellscape so they can stop tinkering and start taking action. Want to shine up your brand so you feel proud? Overhaul your message so you say the right words instead of all the words? Or soup up the SEO engine under the hood of your website? You’re in the right place!
Tired of feeling lost in DIY-ville? I’d love to help you.
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