Overcoming FOMO and Embracing Growth as a Business Owner
I’ve always had FOMO. You know the feeling — that deep, nagging fear of missing out on something. Whether it was an event I wasn’t invited to or a club I wasn’t accepted into, the feeling would stick with me. As a Cancer, I’ve always been a bit sensitive, and I’d immediately jump to the conclusion that it was something about me — my personality, my voice, the way I looked. I’d always assume there was something about me that made people want to exclude me.
Looking back, I realize how wrong that thought process was. Most of the time, it wasn’t about me at all. I might have missed an invite, or maybe there wasn’t room in the club for everyone who wanted in. But in my mind, I was always quick to internalize the exclusion. The idea that "I wasn't enough" or "I didn’t fit in" was always at the forefront of my thoughts.
It took time to break out of this self-doubt and realize that just because I didn’t get an invitation or wasn’t accepted into a group didn’t mean it was a reflection of me personally. Life is full of missed opportunities or unreturned calls, and more often than not, it has nothing to do with my worth. It wasn’t about me — it was just circumstances. And yet, the mental hurdle of shifting that mindset took a lot longer than I ever imagined.
When I became a business owner, that mindset shift was something I HAD to get over. Being a business owner means stepping into a world that is constantly moving, evolving, and full of competition. There’s always something to compare yourself to. Other businesses are doing things you’re not, or they’re growing faster than you. The fear of missing out can easily creep back in. What’s worse, it can stifle your creativity and slow your progress.
I had to face the reality that not everything was meant for me, and that's okay. I had to stop letting the idea of “missing out” control my decisions. Just because someone else was getting opportunities I wasn't, or their growth seemed faster than mine, didn’t mean I wasn’t on the right path. It just meant that everyone’s journey looks different, and my time would come.
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when you're a small business owner trying to find your footing. But learning to let go of FOMO was liberating. It helped me to focus more on the things I can control, like how I show up for my clients and how I present my brand. It reminded me that there’s enough success for everyone. Everyone’s journey unfolds at its own pace, and being true to my own business's timeline was more important than rushing to catch up to someone else's.
If you’re feeling FOMO in your business journey, I want you to know you're not alone. It's easy to fall into the trap of comparison, but remember that your worth is not defined by what others are doing. Trust the process, stay focused on your goals, and know that the right opportunities will come your way when the time is right.
And the best part? Once you let go of FOMO, you open up space for growth — for your business and for yourself. Embrace the path you're on, and celebrate the wins along the way, no matter how small they seem. The journey is yours, and that's something no one can take away.
xo Toni
