Startup Panic: How to Release “Right Now” Thinking and Make Powerful Progress in Business

When we want to make something great happen in our business (and life)–no matter how big or small–it is easy to assume that it must be done quickly, right now.

The tick-tock of the clock weighs heavily upon us. We soon become acutely aware of precious time slipping through our fingers.

As entrepreneurs, we become preoccupied with the idea that to be successful we must be Superwoman  (or Superman) and make it happen right now, today, or yesterday! This thinking is reinforced by society and mainstream media; it is the traditional self-development ideology that is “chocked-full” of seize the day mantras and painful reminders of the fragility and reality of life that faces us all.

Now I am not saying this type of encouragement is wrong.

In fact, I am a huge believer in putting yourself on the line — just going for it! For it is often the reluctance to do so — fueled by fear and unhelpful ego chats — that blinds us of our true potential. But what I am acknowledging is that diving in “right now” as though your life and business depends on it is not always the best approach in every situation.

The Pressure of “Right Now” Thinking in Business

Instead of giving in to the relentless pressure of “right now,” when we give ourselves the space, freedom and permission to take our precious time it can be the right thing to do personally and professionally.

For example, one of my clients is in the process of clarifying her ‘niche’ and the unique selling point (USP) for her business. She is still working a full-time job and has absolute determination to get her business up-and-running as soon as possible. However she has put herself under a lot of pressure to figure out the perfect niche “right now” — in hopes that she will prevent delays in the process.

There was just one big problem with her strategy; piling on the pressure so that she could come up with that golden moment of inspiration just was not working.

Rather than trusting the entrepreneurial process and coming from a place of contented self-assurance, she was being driven by fear and panic. These emotions (which are rife amongst ambitious young professionals) stem from what author Victoria Castle calls “The Trance of Scarcity.” When we operate our businesses (and lives) under the trance of scarcity our focus is on the “not enoughness” in our world, life and our selves. We perceive that there is not enough time, money, perfection … the list goes on.

This is problematic because when we look at life through the lens of not having enough we create that precise experience of lack for ourselves. This type of thinking can be likened to trying to light a flame with a dead match. You cannot set it on fire, and even if it magically did produce a flame, it would not likely burn for very long.

When we address our businesses from a place of lack and panic, we become just like that dead match — cut off from our real blazing potential. The result is mental exhaustion and deflated self-confidence; certainly not a state where our most soulful and powerful work can be born.

Yet the most ironic thing about piling on the pressure of “right now” is this:

When we let go of the pressure to get things done now, quickly, today, tomorrow; that is exactly when things become easier and we end up getting things done that previously felt like an uphill struggle.