I am an overthinker. Good, bad, indifferent, that's just the way it is. Thankfully, I have found ways over the years to adapt this nonstop chatter and critical thinking to productive energy in my development. When I perform a task which others find impressive, I seldom feel the same. Instead, I'm analyzing how I could have executed more efficiently, with higher quality, more compassion, and a system to repeat this task in the future. I don't subscribe to any ideology that overthinking is a detriment, or a mental disorder requiring medication or 'fixing'. I wouldn't be who I am, and who I strive to be without this voice in my head.
When this voice takes over, in a self-critical, unimpressed tone, I am bombarded by thoughts of inadequacy. "You don't deserve to run a business, you aren't doing the quality of work that someone else is, you aren't committed enough..." Just a few of my lovely thoughts when this internal dialogue takes over and tries to bring my ship down. Maybe I am naive to what others deal with, but I'd be willing to bet you have, and possibly still do, deal with a similar voice. The difference is in how you respond and what you do after this voice fills you with negativity.
For me, It's not about silencing this voice or blocking out that internal dialogue. I listen to this feedback, and believe it, then I act on it and find ways to prove each point wrong.
You don't deserve to run a business - I need to find a way to add tremendous value to the marketplace and specifically to homeowners / investors. Don't approach business as a scheme to trade a low-quality product for other people's money. Approach this business with the intention to provide a better product / service than what is currently available, and the money will come as you prove your worth.
You aren't doing the quality of work as someone else - This means I need to continue to learn, practice, and become an expert. As a general contractor, my job isn't to be the master carpenter or journeyman plumber, my job is to be an expert in bringing together all of the parts of the puzzle to build incredible homes. Professionalism, honesty, pride in your work, and a humility to learn from mistakes which will happen, all lend to your ability to break down the barrier of 'lack of experience'.
You aren't committed - I'm committed to learning, self-development, and finding ways to increase my worth as a man and as a business. I'm committed to providing value, and this may mean constant change / adaptation in my business as market conditions, personal desires and ability dictate what this business will become. It would be foolish for me to hold steady to the first vision I had of running a construction business. Change is inevitable, but the core desire to build award-winning homes will always prevail.
Sometimes my internal voice isn't a best friend rooting for me, but rather an adversary, trying to convince me that I can't accomplish my goals. One response to these antagonizing thoughts would be to believe them, and find a way to avoid the challenges they pose. "You're right, I shouldn't be in business, I should just get a stable job, settle down, and not risk losing everything." That may be the response of some, but it is not how I'm wired. I'm the type of person to dig in and fight through my own doubts, trying to prove myself capable of more every day, knowing that everything I accomplish still won't be enough in my eyes.
How blissful it must be to have a voice on your side, or no voice at all. I'm reserved, I deal with my own critical thoughts by working, by believing that I can achieve so much more than where I'm at now. It's only the beginning, and every day working on myself, or this business is a step in the right direction. There is no finish line, I'm just seeing how far I can go.