I am sure you have heard the comments from well meaning friends and family when you first thought about starting a new business, "Just get out there and DO IT!" What, are they kidding? When was the last time any of them started a business by themselves? Most likely never... If you are like most people, just about everyone around you works at a job for someone else. Those friends and family sure seem to think they are experts on starting a business, don't they? But do they really have a clue how hard it is to get and keep customers unless they have successfully worked for themselves? Probably not...

I am sure your family and friend are just trying to be supportive when they tell you to leap in without any preparation, but their advice might actually work against you. Most people I help to start their own business, say they face this huge, unknown, and unyielding force as they first go out and market themselves. With a business presence to establish, budding entrepreneurs usually scan the Internet, the local newspapers, and maybe talk to some friends already in business, for ideas of where they should go to network. Chamber of Commerces and other local network meeting venues seem to pop out as likely places to start. The new self-bosser puts the next meeting on their calendar, gets their business cards ready, and waits excitedly for the day to come. But, just as they step out the door to attend the meeting, an anchor seems to grab them by the ankle with this thought popping into their head: "I have about as much desire to go out and meet new people as I have to drop a big rock on my toe!" Ouch.

Business Success is All About the Numbers

No matter how you slice it, business success is a numbers game. If you are not making money at your business, it is because you have not gotten in front of enough of what I call, your "Natural Client." These are the people that don't need to be convinced they should be your customer. They are the clients that come to you with the realization that they need to buy from you. But, in order for you to find those individuals you have to go out and meet and influence lots and lots of new people.

Unfortunately most new self-bossers dread the thought of doing this so much, they don't even get their businesses off the ground. And sadly, most people who give up, never realize what that invisible force was that blocked them from achieving their dreams in the first place. Well, it is actually something called Business Shyness. This is the same powerful force that keeps most people tied to a job, never knowing the joys and freedom of working for themself.

Business Shyness is Universal

So, why is it so hard to break through that Business Shyness barrier? It is important to know that Business Shyness is fairly universal. So, it is not just YOU no matter what anyone says! Studies show that at least 40% of people today say they are presently shy and only 7% of most people say they have never been shy. And shyness is not only a childhood problem. It can be an adult experience as well. So, most people have at least a touch of Business Shyness, with many more than might be apparent being seriously affected by it. This can translate into some real challenges when you face going out to network, crucial for finding enough clientele.

Business Shyness also has some very powerful components based in, believe it or not, evolutionary survival. In addition, there is a strong social and societal element as well. So, no matter what you might think, unless you know the basis of Business Shyness, and have the skills to move past them, it certainly is not easy to eliminate Business Shyness, no matter what anyone says.

Not Having Control of Business Shyness Can Impact Your Business's Success

More importantly, what most beginning entrepreneurs don't know is going out networking without your Business Shyness in control, can negatively impact your market, setting you back further in establishing your client base. Business Shy behavior can be interpreted by others who observe you as something other than your just being nervous. So, you can face the risk of alienating the very people you would like to attract. I know this is not fair, but it is true.

The good news is that Business Shyness can be overcome and it can be easy and fun to do so. I know this is hard to believe, but once you understand where most of your initial sales and marketing jitters come from you will see that it is possible to get rid of them and open your own business's money stream.