Scared to Start a Podcast? 4 Mindset Shifts to Make

Hey Friend!

Have you considered starting a podcast, but are too afraid to do it? Are you afraid no one will listen, you’ll run out of topics, or that it be too time-consuming? Add to that, you don’t know what software to use, you’re not techy, and where should you even start?

I had all those same fears before I launched my show almost six years ago, and that’s why I’m excited to share with you four easy mindset shifts that personally helped me get over my fear and just start!

If you’re feeling that nudge to start a podcast, I want to encourage you to embrace the calling on your life so you can help and serve others with the gifts God has given you. It’s time to let go of the overwhelm, put yourself out there, and make a difference for His Kingdom. 

#1 Mindset Shift – Stop!

Starting a podcast is rather simple, but we often convince ourselves that change is scary and too big to handle. We need to shift our mindset and get over the fear. The first mindset shift we need to step out of fear and into faith is to stop the spiral of thoughts that are going on in our minds. It is time to go from a perfectionist viewpoint to a “progress” viewpoint. Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not grow weary of doing good for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.”

The Bible says, “Don’t grow weary of doing good” if you start something like a podcast. I want you to remember that a podcast is something that you’re bringing into the world to bless the people you’re called to help. 

Think of Your Business as A Ministry

Your podcast is a ministry — a way to teach and minister to those you feel called to serve. If your passion is to help others, podcasting is a tool you can use to do that. It doesn’t matter what your podcast is going to be about, as long as you feel called and you are going to help, inspire, and encourage people. We can’t grow weary. Stop constantly looking through that perfection lens or you will never start.

The perfectionist mindset comes from the enemy because there’s absolutely no way we could ever be perfect. There’s always a way to uplevel and be better. I have been podcasting for six years and there is always a way to improve and be better. If I wanted my podcast to be perfect, I may have never started. You just need to start and continue to improve over time. Making progress is what God wants for us and He will bless us if we don’t give up. Just don’t stop. 

#2 Mindset Shift – Go From Self-Doubt to Authenticity

The second shift that you need to make in your mind so you can get over your fear of podcasting is to go from self-doubt to authenticity. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  Praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” What an absolutely beautiful verse to remember. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are perfectly made in His image. There’s no reason for us to have self-doubt if we just show up authentically.

The more you show up as your authentic self, the more people relate to you and the more people trust you.  When your audience starts to trust you, you get more leads and then you ultimately bring in more sales.

If you start to market your brand and your personality based on someone else’s brand and personality who’s already having success, you’re not being authentic.

It’s not OK to mimic somebody else’s authenticity because, in reality, it’s just imitation. I want you to go back to who you are. Think about portraying yourself as the same person you are with your friends, your family, and your spouse. When you come out on your podcast as yourself, you will have a beautiful breakthrough. There’s no one you need to be but you. Just be yourself. 

#3 Mindset Shift – Stop the Comparison and Shift to Inspiration

The third mindset shift we need to make if you are afraid of podcasting is to stop the comparison and shift to inspiration. Psalm 98:4 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” How can you stop comparing and discern what we need to use for motivation or inspiration?

What is the best way to stop comparing yourself to someone else in your industry? You want to avoid mimicking that person but look to them as inspiration. Run the race with this person and work alongside them, rather than trying to compare yourself along the way. Avoid joining a program or a group coaching mastermind just to compare because there will be self-doubt that creeps in. Utilize the tools to find inspiration but don’t mimic. Typically the lack of self-motivation to get started is from not knowing how to get started. You just need the steps to take action. It’s hard for you to take action so sometimes you just need to have that inspiration, motivation, and investment to move out of that scared mindset.

#4 Mindset Shift –  Shift Your Mind From Fear of Failure to Learning Opportunity

The fourth mindset shift is to shift your mind from fear of failure to learning opportunity. Are you scared of failure? Well, Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” When you partner with God and you decide to start a podcast, this immediately turns into an opportunity to lean in on God and ask for His favor. I know the podcast journey isn’t going to be perfect. When you start, permit yourself to not be perfect in this opportunity. Expect this to be confusing, somewhat messy, and complicated but it’s OK because you will learn and grow over time. Just start where you are with what you know. 

Be sure to utilize the free resources on the stefaniegass.com/resources page and use it as a learning opportunity. The only time you fail is if you don’t begin. It’s time to start and to grow forward. Don’t think of yourself as failing in your podcast if you only have ten people listening. You need to shift your mindset to understand that you are blessing those ten people by stretching them and encouraging them. God did not give you those ten people by accident. He gave them to you so that you could be a blessing and a light in their life based on what they need.

Your Business Breakthrough – Break Free From The Fear

Remember, this business journey is not about you at all. You will break free from the weight of the fear being heavy on your shoulders if you understand one important thing in your business. The purpose of the business is not to serve yourself but to serve others. You will feel set free if you understand the purpose behind your business is not about you but about helping others. God had given me a message to share with the world and He has done the same for you. 

You are simply a vessel for His message. I am a messenger who wants to be the hands and feet of Christ, helping people bring their gifts into the world through podcasting. The only way you can be afraid of failure is if you focus on yourself. Yes, fear of failure is a selfish posture, which we are all guilty of. Having a servant posture is one of learning and exploration.

Start Messy

My podcast was quite ugly when I started in October of 2018. You would think it was a failure by looking at it. From the podcast art to the title and the content, it was a mess. But that messy start was the starting point to something beautiful now. I had to learn, grow, and spend thousands of hours on my craft. I have now been asked to do speaking engagements and am writing a book. This seven-figure business runs a team.

All of this started from something small, something that wasn’t perfect and something that I knew wasn’t about me, but it was about those who I served. God had a calling and a purpose over my life and He has a calling and a purpose for you. You are in the middle of your story and you need to break free from the fear of failure and start, no matter where you are. Practice making the mental shift, being intentional with your thoughts and your words, and staying encouraged through it all. We have a free Facebook group to help you stay motivated.  The only way you break out of your fearful place is to move your feet forward and take the next action step that God wants you to take.

Go to God and Ask For Help

If you’re struggling with any of these mindset shifts and having a hard time knowing how to tactically take that first step to implement them, I want you to ask God to help you. You have to pray over it and practice. If you are having self-doubt, you need to tell yourself that you can do this and be authentically you. You are capable and you are good enough. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

I want to invite you to my free workshops especially if you’re struggling to get clear on your calling and what your business should be. Check out my Clarity Workshop at freeclarityworkshop.com. Also, check out the Podcast for Growth Workshop where I will teach you exactly how podcasting works to get clients or students into your offers and make money. Both workshops are incredibly value-packed. 

I pray this blesses you!

Xo,

Stef

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Before you go, be sure to watch the free workshop!

This free workshop is for you if you want to grow an online business in less time.

It will teach you how to explode your audience without the social media hustle, make consistent sales using a podcast, and plan, record, and launch a podcast with ease!

RELATED EPISODES:

How To Start A Podcast: A Complete Guide

Live Coaching: Conquer Self-Doubt & Stay On Course With Your Calling

4 Things You Need To Know To Start A Podcast

Do It Scared: Biblically Overcome Your Fear Of Failure

Devotional Bible Study: What Does The Bible Say About Changing Your Mindset?

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