One of the biggest fears that stops so many people from starting their own business is the fear of public failure. Nobody wants to fail in front of others, right? It can be embarrassing. It can feel like you’re letting people down. And let’s be honest—people talk. The thought of everyone watching and possibly judging you can be enough to make you stay in your comfort zone forever.

But here’s the truth: failure is part of the process. No successful entrepreneur got to where they are without stumbling a few (or many) times. And guess what? That includes me.

When I started my first service-based business, I made so many mistakes. There were times I felt like giving up. But looking back now, I see that those failures were necessary. They taught me valuable lessons and helped me grow into the business owner I am today. So today, I want to talk about the number one thing you need to change to overcome the fear of public failure and finally take that leap to start your business.

Waiting for Perfect Conditions? Think Again

I know it’s tempting to wait until you feel completely confident before launching your business. But the truth is, there will always be uncertainty. You will never have 100% assurance that everything will go smoothly. And that’s okay.

The key is learning to move forward despite the fear. And to do that, you need to shift one major thing: how you see yourself.

Your Identity Shapes Everything

How you see yourself affects what you believe about yourself. What you believe about yourself affects how you behave. And how you behave affects the results you produce. It’s a chain reaction.

Think about it. If you see yourself as someone who always fails, then you will hesitate to take risks. You’ll talk yourself out of opportunities. And in the end, your business will never get off the ground.

But if you see yourself as capable, resilient, and empowered by God to bring solutions to the world, your mindset will shift. You’ll start making moves with confidence. You’ll embrace challenges as part of the journey rather than signs that you’re not good enough.

What the Bible Teaches About Identity

There’s a powerful example of this in the story of Gideon. In Judges 6, Gideon was hiding in fear when an angel appeared to him and called him a mighty warrior. At that moment, Gideon didn’t feel like a warrior. He saw himself as weak and insignificant. But God saw something different.

Once Gideon aligned his identity with what God said about him, everything changed. He stepped out in courage, took action, and fulfilled his calling.

The same goes for you. If you keep seeing yourself as “not good enough” or “not ready,” you’ll stay stuck. But when you start seeing yourself the way God sees you, you’ll gain the courage to step forward.

The Grasshopper Mentality

Another powerful lesson comes from Numbers 13. When the Israelites spied on the Promised Land, ten of the spies came back saying, “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:33)

Did you catch that? Their fear didn’t come from their enemies—it came from how they saw themselves.

They believed they were too small, too weak, too incapable. And because of that, they never stepped into the land God had already promised them.

Now, ask yourself: Are you letting a “grasshopper mentality” hold you back from stepping into your calling? Are you telling yourself you’re not qualified, not smart enough, or not ready? If so, it’s time to shift your mindset.

Your New Identity

If you’re struggling with fear, here’s what I want you to do. Take a moment and ask yourself: What negative things have I been believing about myself?

Then, replace those lies with the truth of who you are in Christ:

• You are chosen and called (Jeremiah 1:5)
  
• You have everything you need to succeed (2 Peter 1:3)
  
• You are strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9)
  
• You are not alone—God is with you (Isaiah 41:10)
  

When you start seeing yourself through the lens of these truths, your confidence will grow. And with that confidence, you’ll be able to take action, even when you feel afraid.

Take Action—Even When You’re Scared

Here’s another secret: The only way to truly overcome fear is to do the thing you’re afraid of.

I had this same fear when I started my podcast. Even though I had a successful business, podcasting was new to me. I worried about how I’d sound, if anyone would listen, if I’d fail publicly. But you know what? I did it anyway. And here I am now, 40 episodes in and celebrating this journey.

The more you take action, the more confident you become. And soon, the thing that once terrified you will feel completely normal.

Recap: The #1 Thing You Need to Change

If you want to overcome the fear of public failure and start your business, you must change how you see yourself.

Stop identifying with your past mistakes or your insecurities. Start seeing yourself the way God sees you—as capable, equipped, and ready for this journey.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That transformation starts with believing the truth about who you are.

Final Encouragement

My prayer for you today is that the Holy Spirit will transform your mindset so you can step into the purpose God has for you. You have everything you need to succeed. The only thing left to do is take the first step.

So, what’s one action you can take today to move toward your business goals? Maybe it’s registering your business name, setting up your website, or reaching out to a potential client. Whatever it is, do it today—don’t let fear hold you back any longer.

And if this post encouraged you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this message. Let’s help more people overcome fear and step into their God-given purpose!

You’ve got this! 🚀