Anxiety About Starting a Business

Breaking Free from a Job You Hate

Feeling Trapped in a Job You Hate?
Here’s How to Start Your Business and Escape.

If you’re stuck in a job you hate, you’re not alone. The dread of another Monday, the exhaustion from working for someone else’s dream, and the fear that you’ll be stuck forever—it’s overwhelming.

Anxiety about starting a business.The dread of another Monday

But what’s stopping you from escaping? 

Fear? 

Not knowing where to start?

Uncertainty? 

Anxiety about starting a business is normal, but it shouldn’t hold you back. 

This guide will help you overcome fear, take action, and build a business while still working—so you can quit confidently.

Let me unpack this to give a clearer picture of your concerns.

Hello, I’m Daryl Pratt

I am a mentor, coach and guide.

I have been mentoring folk like you since 2005.

I started MENTORaUS.com to help guys just like you.

In it I share my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the hundreds of hours of listening and guiding folk just like you to make a change. 

It will not be easy but it will be fulfilling, I can guarantee.

I have been where you are and now, it is my turn to pass it on. To pay it forward. 

Life is short my friend so the sooner you control your destiny the better.

Step 1: Facing Your Fear & Using It as Motivation

Fear of failure, financial struggles, and judgment from others can keep you frozen. But what’s worse?

Taking a risk or staying stuck in a job you hate for the next 10 years?

Common Fears & How to Overcome Them

“What if I fail?” 

Ok, what if you fail?

Failure is part of learning.

My take on this is -  if you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough. 

Every success starts with a failure or two.

Every successful entrepreneur has failed.

What matters is that you keep going.

You get up, dust yourself off and get back on the horse.

This alone separates the best from the ‘all-so-rans’.


“I don’t have enough money.” 

Well hello, welcome to the world of startups.

Rarely do startups have enough money.

The primary cause of businesses’ folding and walking away' is a lack of capital.

The thing is, it is all in the planning and mentoring guidelines.

You don’t need to quit your job immediately.

Build on the dream.

Start small, validate your idea, and build financial security first.

tortoise and hareBe the tortoise, not the hare.

Be the tortoise, not the hare. 

Make plans, make plans and make plans.

“People will judge me.” 

Seriously, I have heard this so many times.

Really, who cares? 

If this is part of your concerns, you’d better address this fast.

It is not something you should ever think about. 

As I say to anyone and everyone who wants to listen. 

Get over it. 

The facts are that human nature tells us people think of themselves 95% of the time. 

Yes, they may give you a thought about your decision, but as quick as a flash, they’re back to thinking of themself. 

Truly, this is nothing you should concern yourself with. 

Most people are too focused on their own lives to care. And the ones who do? They’re not the ones building your future.

Step 2: Anxiety About Starting a Business When Still Working

Do not quit your job until you are convinced by the numbers and the financial results that your startup will provide, money to live on, growth and security. 

Here’s how to start without risking your financial stability:

  • Identify a Profitable Business Idea
  • What skills do you have that people will pay for?
  • What pain points can you fix that are not being remedied
  • What about your existing job? Is there a process you know you could do more efficiently and faster? Discuss the option of contracting to the business.
  • What problems can you solve?
  • Use tools like Google Trends, Reddit, and Facebook groups to research market demand.
  • Test Your Idea Before You Quit
  • Offer your service as a freelancer (Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn).
  • Sell a small batch of a product before committing. 
  • Always be testing the market.
  • Ask potential customers what they’d pay for.
  • Save Money & Build a Runway
  • Cut unnecessary expenses.
money in handSet aside at least 6 months of living expenses before quitting.
  • Set aside at least 6 months of living expenses before quitting. Sometimes, it is good practice to set aside 12 months.
  • Use your paycheck to fund your business instead of taking out loans.
  • Time Management: Balance Work & Your Side Hustle
  • Wake up 1 hour earlier to work on your business.
  • Use lunch breaks for research and networking.
  • Limit distractions (Netflix, social media) and focus on your future.

If you have the determination and drive to make this happen, getting up earlier and using all available time to work on your startup will be something you are excited to do. It will be something that takes the anxiety about starting a business.

Step 3: Build Confidence & Overcome Self-Doubt

Years of working a job you hate can drain your confidence. Here’s how to rebuild it:

  • Celebrate small wins—getting your first customer, making your first sale, launching your website. This is psychologically empowering.

old mentor and young man drinking coffeeFind a mentor—someone who’s already done what you want to do.
  • Find a mentor—someone who’s already done what you want to do. Their guidance can save you time and mistakes. This is the glue. This is a startup’s most valuable asset. Please do not take this lightly. An experienced mentor is worth their weight in gold.

  • Join a supportive community—surround yourself with people who inspire and push you forward. Get with the positives. Keep right away from the nay-sayers.

Happy contented woman at work.Surround yourself with people who inspire and push you forward.
  • Use affirmations—remind yourself daily: I am capable. I am building something great. I control my future. I know this can sound weird, but it honestly works. Try it.



Step 4: Plan for Hardships & Economic Uncertainty

Starting a business isn’t easy. But neither is staying in a job you hate.

Have a backup plan—don’t rely on one income stream; diversify your offerings. It’s all in the planning.


Prepare for slow months—save extra money and keep costs low.

  • The down times will come. Some you can control; others are beyond your control. 
  • Always have a ‘bunker down’ plan. 
  • A mentor should help prepare you for these contingencies.

 Learn from setbacks—every challenge is a lesson that makes you stronger.

  • Keep records. 
  • Record everything. 
  • Good times, bad times and everything in between. 
  • It is good business practice to keep records.

Step 5: Visualize Your Success & Take Action

Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, visualize what could go right:

visualizing 2Visualizing your future is a wonderful thing. Learn how to do it. It is amazing.
  • The freedom to work on your terms.

  • Earning money doing something you love.

  • Walking away from a toxic workplace forever.

Visualizing your future is a wonderful thing. Learn how to do it. It is amazing.

It eliminates the anxiety about starting a business.

“Whatever you can vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon, must inevitably come to pass”.

I Will Leave You With a Story

Alex was a passionate and driven individual who dreamed of starting a business. Like many others, he was plagued by the anxiety about starting a business.

Thoughts of failure, financial struggles, and countless what-ifs clouded his mind. He yearned for guidance and reassurance.

Alex went on line and searched for a mentor.  After some research he connected with Mark an experienced mentor. 

Mark listened to Alex's issues in fact as Alex explained, he listened much more than he spoke.

With a calming and relaxed manner and a wealth of knowledge, Mark guided Alex through the next stage of his journey into business.

Mark understood anxiety was a natural part of the journey, and he provided a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on when doubts crept in.

Mark gave confidence.

Alex and Mark remained together for the entire startup and through to the maturation of the business over many years.

Mark took up a shareholding in the business and became Alex's first Chairman of the board. 

The business was eventually sold and even though they made a fortune they continued friends, creating a forum for startup opportunities.

The old mentorAlex went on line and searched for a mentor. After some research, he connected with Mark.

Conclusion

Your future is in your hands.

You don’t have to stay stuck.

cross roads stay or wuitTake a deep breath, start now, and don’t look back.

Take small steps every day, and soon, you’ll be running your own business and living life on your terms.

So take a deep breath, start now, and don’t look back.

Recommended Resources

📌 Video: Overcoming Fear & Taking the First Step 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb9g9mtDHZo

📌 Podcast: How Real People Quit Their Jobs & Built a Business

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/guy-raz-on-safely-quitting-your-job-building-the/id1450994021?i=1000527084619

From the "I wish I had said this" file.

“A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today.” – Karen Lamb

“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” – Suzy Kassem

Your journey starts today.

Just Do it!

Experience isn't the best teacher, experience is the only teacher.

cliff climber

Confidence comes from experience