The person who argues against you the most is yourself.

It's easy to think that the biggest obstacles in the business world come from external factors: competition, market trends, or perhaps difficult customers. But if you look closely, you'll discover that the biggest and most persistent adversary is often within yourself. It's not about other people or circumstances – it's about the inner voices that constantly say, "This isn't working," "You're not good enough," or "It'll never work."

As an entrepreneur, self-sabotage is something many struggle with – sometimes without even realizing it. But when you realize that your biggest enemy is yourself, you can start to change the way you think, making it possible to move from doubt to action.

How Self-Sabotage Shows Up in Business

Self-sabotage is when we consciously or unconsciously prevent ourselves from achieving our goals. When we become convinced that we don't have what it takes, or when we doubt ourselves, it can lead to us not taking the important steps towards success. Here are some examples of how this can manifest itself:

1. Procrastination – You have a great business idea, but you keep putting it off. You find excuses for not starting: “I don’t have enough time,” “I need more information,” or “Maybe not now, but next week.”
2. Perfectionism – You wait for everything to be perfect before launching your business, product or service. This uncertainty leads to nothing ever getting done and you hold back instead of taking the first steps.
3. Self-doubt – When you don't dare to pursue new ideas because you're afraid of failure. Thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "this is too hard for me" block your ability to take action and hinder your growth.
4. Comparison with others – You look at competitors or other entrepreneurs and feel like you’re not good enough. You let the successes of others create doubt about your own path, causing you to lose focus and energy.

Examples of How We Sabotage Ourselves

Let’s take a concrete example of self-sabotage. Imagine an entrepreneur, Anna , who has a goal of launching a new product. She has invested a lot of time and energy into developing the product, but when it comes time to launch, she begins to have doubts. She thinks that the market is not ready for it, or that other companies have better resources than she does. Anna begins to hesitate, and instead of following through with her original plans, she postpones the launch time and time again.

But, if we look at the situation objectively, it’s not really about Anna not having what it takes. It’s about the negative thoughts that block her and make her doubt her abilities. The real opponent is not the market, not the competition – it’s Anna herself.

Why It's Important to Support Yourself as an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship is not just about having great ideas or a strong business plan. It’s also about believing in yourself and your abilities. As an entrepreneur, you will encounter obstacles, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose confidence. But the more you let your inner voices dominate, the more you limit yourself and your potential.

To succeed and grow, you need to support yourself , not only as a businessman or businesswoman, but also as a person. Here are some tips to start supporting yourself on your journey:

1. Acknowledge your progress, big and small – All progress is important. Celebrate the small victories and remind yourself of what you have already achieved. This will boost your confidence and give you the energy to keep going.
2. Develop positive self-talk – When negative thoughts arise, replace them with positive and realistic thoughts. For example, instead of saying, “I’m not good enough,” you can say, “I’m learning and growing every day. I can do this.”
3. Visualize your success – Take a few minutes each day to visualize your business being successful. Imagine your ideas becoming reality, your customers being happy, and you overcoming the obstacles you face.
4. Surround yourself with positive influences – Support yourself by surrounding yourself with people who lift you up and believe in your abilities. Building a strong network of like-minded entrepreneurs can give you the support you need to keep moving forward.

Conclusion: Become Your Own Biggest Supporter

As an entrepreneur, it's easy to become your own worst enemy through self-sabotage, insecurity, and negative thoughts. But when you choose to support yourself, to be kind to yourself in tough times, you can break the negative cycle and find the strength to move forward.

It's about believing in your abilities , even when things don't go as planned, and understanding that it's okay to fail and learn from your mistakes. When you stop being your biggest opponent and instead become your own biggest supporter, you will find that the road to success becomes much easier to walk.

So the next time you feel doubt or uncertainty, remind yourself: the biggest adversary in your business is not the world around you – it’s your own thoughts. And you have the power to change them. Support yourself, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward.