Taming Your FUD Monster to Create the Consulting Career of Your Dreams

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The one thing all self-employed consultants and coaches have in common is we all get FUD from time to time: FEAR of change, UNCERTAINTY about how to address a situation, and DOUBT about trying something new. When these emotions crop up, I refer to it as the FUD monster. I imagine a hairy gremlin on my shoulder, whispering nasty self-doubt into my ear.. Things like:

  • What if I can’t find more work?

  • What if I embarrass myself?

  • What if I make a mistake?

  • What if I’m not charging enough?

  • What if I’m charging too much?

  • What if I go for it and it doesn’t work out?

FUD is totally normal. As humans, we’re hardwired to fear the unknown. But letting the FUD monster take control limits our potential, preventing us from marketing ourselves effectively, getting the rate we want, or trying something new.

To make matters worse, FUD never really goes away. I’ve been self-employed for twenty years the FUD monster still sits on my shoulder from time to time. The good news is that I’ve learned to manage my FUD, and you can too. One strategy that works for me is to ‘name it and tame it.’

The first step is to recognize when the FUD monster is grumbling in your ear. In order to “name it,” it’s important hear yourself think— ten minutes of daily meditation has really helped me. Sometimes, though, FUD isn’t a clear thought but rather an overall uneasiness or hesitation. In this case, watching your behavior is key. Have you been putting off your business development phone calls? Are you thinking of submitting a proposal to speak at a conference but don’t know where to start? These are signs that FUD is lurking, too. You may think: Oh, I know what’s going on here. The FUD monster is back.

Once you’ve identified your FUD, you can tame it. In my mind, the “conversation” goes something like this: “Hey there, FUD, I realize you’re trying to protect me from making a mistake, but I’m not going to die, and I know what I’m doing. Thanks for looking out for me, but I’ve got this!” Then, poof! 💥 By acknowledging the risks, my FUD monster dissipates into the background and I can move forward again with confidence. (You can take this a step further and literally give your demon a name, like Frank or Claudia.)

This “name it and tame it” self-talk works for small bouts of FUD, but what if you’re making a huge decision, like leaving your job to become a solopreneur? If your FUD monster is gigantic, working through it takes a bit more work.

Start by writing down the thing you want to do and all the reasons why you’re scared to do it. By brain-dumping your FUD into a list, you can develop an action plan to confront or eliminate each item. Be thoughtful and pragmatic as you work through your list of scary reasons. Demystifying your FUD will unstick your paralysis and reveal practical steps. For example, let’s say you’re scared to quit your traditional job to start your own consulting business. One of the FUDs on your list might be, “I don’t know the slightest thing about starting a business.” To counteract that FUD you might ask ChatGPT for the top five things to consider, or read the first three chapters of my book, Succeeding as a Solopreneur.

Recognize that whatever you can imagine is something you can either recover from or overcome. And if your FUD revolves around your own uncertainty, ask yourself, “How can I learn more about this so it’s not scary?”

If you still find yourself stalled by FUD, face your fear with a buddy. Though you may not have the same FUDs, you can encourage each other to keep moving forward. Talking through your worries with someone you trust can help you get a better perspective on your own viewpoint. Plus, they may have other ideas for tackling the items on your FUD list.

Remember: even for the most accomplished people, FUD is normal. You’re going to battle it, too, at some point. The trick is to not let that FUD monster hold you back from living the life you really want. Instead, name it and tame it. Then, more forward with confidence.

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