The Hidden Way You're Sabotaging Your Own Success (And How to Stop)

You're not crazy. Running a business really is an emotional rollercoaster.

If you've ever felt like a total fraud while simultaneously crushing it on a client call, congratulations - you're a founder. That whiplash between "I've got this" and "what the hell am I doing" isn't a bug. It's a feature of entrepreneurship that nobody warns you about.

Here's the thing: every single founder is figuring it out. Every. Single. One. And any founder who tells you otherwise is either lying to you or lying to themselves. We're all doing our best to build something incredible while navigating a constant stream of feedback - customers who love us, customers who are pissed, wins that feel amazing, and losses that sting.

But here's what I really want to dig into: the sneaky ways we actually hold our own businesses back. Because I'm a firm believer that every founder limits their business in some way, shape, or form. And once you see it, you can't unsee it.

The Subtle Art of Self-Sabotage

Let me get specific with an example from my own business.

I show up consistently. LinkedIn posts, podcast episodes, weekly newsletter, weekly blog. I do the things that I genuinely believe drive growth and add value. But here's where my limiting beliefs sneak in: sometimes I settle.

Instead of spending extra time finding podcast guests who will truly blow people away, I just book whoever lands in my inbox. Or instead of really crafting a newsletter that delivers maximum value, I lean too heavily on AI and give it a quick glance before hitting send.

On paper, I'm still doing the work. Nobody can say I'm not showing up. But showing up at a seven out of ten because I didn't go the extra mile? That's actually how I hold the business back. If I went 12 out of 10 on everything - no corners cut - I guarantee the business would be bigger.

So the real question becomes: what do I need to do within myself so I stop finding these strategic little ways to play small?

Your Nervous System Might Be Running the Show

Here's something that might make you roll your eyes, but stay with me.

Picture your business five or ten times bigger than it is right now. If you're making $12K a month, imagine $40K or $50K. If you have a few dozen customers, imagine thousands. Now check in with your body.

Do you feel a tightening in your chest? An uneasy feeling in your stomach? Those are signals that your nervous system is dysregulated. You don't feel safe at that size.

And here's the kicker: if you don't feel safe being bigger, you'll unconsciously tend toward what feels comfortable. You'll self-sabotage your way back to your comfort zone without even realizing it.

The fix? Sit with the vision. Literally picture the bigger business and when that tightness shows up, self-soothe. Tell yourself: this is actually okay. We can handle this. We're worthy of it. Normalize success in your body so your nervous system stops hitting the brakes for you.

The second part is practical. When I think about scaling, my brain immediately goes to: "Oh god, that means more customer service emails, unhappy customers, systems breaking." Sound familiar?

Write it down. What would you actually need in place to handle 10x growth? Maybe it's a VA. Maybe it's better bookkeeping. Maybe it's someone to manage your calendar. You don't need to build systems for 5,000 customers when you have 100 - but knowing you can figure it out removes the fear that's keeping you stuck.

The Confidence-Vulnerability Tightrope

Here's the balancing act that nobody teaches you: people buy from confidence, but they connect with humanity.

You've seen the delusional founders - the Travis Kalanicks of the world who say "we're investing $2 billion and we're going to win" with zero fear in their voice. That energy serves them. But most of us aren't wired that way. So what do we do?

You find the integration point. You show up to sales calls and in your content with genuine confidence: "I'm going to solve your problem. I'm going to deliver the best damn service you've ever seen." That's not arrogance - that's integrity based on your skillset and experience.

Meanwhile, you're honest with yourself about your fears and limiting beliefs. You just don't let clients see them running the show. When you get feedback that something could be better, you improve. You raise your rates. You show through your confidence that you're constantly getting sharper.

And here's the beautiful part: being human, making mistakes, learning publicly - that's actually what builds trust. Nobody expects you to be perfect. They expect you to be real. When people buy, they're buying because they believe you're the best person to solve their problem and they feel good about that decision.

Authenticity Is Your Competitive Advantage

Being a business owner brings up everything that gets in your way. Fear of being seen. Fear of rejection. Fear of being "too much." Imposter syndrome. Whatever holds you back in life will hold you back in business.

The sooner you own those things - claim responsibility for them - the sooner they stop running the show. You can use them to fuel your journey instead of derail it. Heal them, sit with them, get support around them.

In a world drowning in AI-generated content and automation, trust and authenticity are what set you apart. Genuine storytelling. Being unapologetically you. That's what people buy. That's what they remember.

So here's my challenge: stop pretending you have it all figured out while secretly playing small. Stop letting your nervous system keep you comfortable at a level that doesn't match your potential. Do the internal work and show up with confidence.

That's the real secret to building something that actually grows.

Ready to show up authentically online? Check out Mylance - we're building a service that helps you share genuine stories with your ideal audience on LinkedIn, in your own voice. It's getting smarter every day, and people are seeing incredible results. Because at the end of the day, you need to be showing up. Might as well make it easier.

Mylance

This article was written by Mylance, the LinkedIn content system built for founders and experts who want consistent, high-quality posts that attract clients. We help you lock in your positioning, clarify your ideal customer, and build a content strategy that actually resonates. Then our system gives you a content calendar, drafts posts in your authentic voice, and keeps you accountable - so you stay visible and attract the right clients while saving hours each week!If you’re ready to grow your presence and pipeline on LinkedIn, sign up at Mylance.co.