fbpx
Photo: Romvy, YFS Magazine, Adobe Stock

Don’t Let Overthinking Stop You From Starting

Don't stop before you even get started. My key to success is and always has been my unwavering motivation, and it can be yours too.


Are you an over-thinker? Are you postponing something in your life or business? Do you hold back from doing things you want to do because you are constantly coming up with excuses due to feelings of unworthiness?

Photo: Ren Lenhof, Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based photographer and blogger | Courtesy Photo

I get it. But, please, don’t let overthinking stop you from starting.

Before I launched House Fur, a lifestyle blog, I had fears that stemmed from thinking I was not worthy enough to run a successful blog. I would constantly question myself:

  • Who am I to write and share tips and tricks about living a happy life with others?
  • Who would even read it?
  • Am I capable of creating compelling, entertaining, and educational content?

The answers to these questions circled back to me finally accepting, acknowledging, and acting upon the idea that:

“Yes, I am worthy.
“Yes, I am capable.”
“Yes, I can do it.”

Heck! I’ve always been motivated to act upon my other dreams (such as being an ice hockey goalie, running a successful photography business, writing ebooks, training my two incredible dogs, owning a Victorian Home, living close to a lake, selling my paintings, and owning my dream Jeep Wrangler – all before the age of 30). So why stop now?

 

Starting a lifestyle blog required unwavering motivation

Less than 20 months after launching House Fur, my lifestyle blog has successfully reached over 6.5 million people. I attribute my success in creating a lifestyle blog to one thing: unwavering motivation.

I’ve built my blog and income by partnering with an exclusive ad network. It is a source of passive income that:

  • goes toward retirement,
  • enables me to take photos for fun,
  • helps put my journalism degree to use,
  • has introduced me to incredible creatives and brands,
  • provides press opportunities,
  • and most importantly, has continued to bring me excessive joy.

That story right there is evidence as to why you should never let overthinking and self-doubt stop you from starting.

 

Starting a photography business required unwavering motivation

I started a photography business four days after graduating from college. I bought a domain, applied for an LLC, and boom. I had a business. The first year I photographed 12 weddings and several families.

It seemed so easy, but frankly, it wasn’t. I attribute my success to building my photography business, Studio 29, to one thing: unwavering motivation.

Photo: Kevin Grieve, Unsplash
Photo: Kevin Grieve, YFS Magazine

 

Debunking the ‘starving artist’ myth and lies we tell ourselves

I wanted more than ever to be able to build a career as a creative. That is the root of my unwavering motivation. I wanted to blow-up all the myths that said I had to be a “starving artist.”

I aspired to tear down all of the lies that said I shouldn’t be compensated for my gift, talent, and art. I needed to be the evidence that other artists needed to see that said it is possible, and there are no excuses that should hold you back.

When things were hard or scary, my motivation, effort, and determination were all I needed to make whatever I wanted in my life and business to happen.

That story right there is also evidence as to why you should never let overthinking and self-doubt stop you from starting.

 

Gratitude changes everything

But I know there’s more. I’m grateful to my parents for instilling a work ethic, motivation to always try my hardest and a no-nonsense attitude for responsibility. My parents taught me to take responsibility and always try my hardest. I grew up learning to take action and not put the blame on others or any external factors. Excuses are merely another path of least resistance.

“My life, success, and happiness are my responsibility.”

I am so grateful to my husband, mastermind, online mentor and educator (who I’ll refer to as “J”), business coaches and peers for helping me understand and recognize my value, purpose, and most of all worthiness.

When I was able to see my worthiness without solely relying on the success of my businesses to define it, I was able to make even bigger moves and gain the perspective and value of life outside of work.

So, when I reflect on my journey, it compels me to implore of you:

Please, don’t make excuses.
Please, know you are worthy.
And, please stop overthinking.

My key to success is and always has been my unwavering motivation, and it can be yours too.

 

Ren Lenhof is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based photographer and blogger who has been featured on Martha Stewart, Huffington Post, West Elm, Pepsi, and more! Check out her lifestyle blog and photography at housefur.com.

 

© YFS Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Copying prohibited. All material is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this material is prohibited. Sharing of this material under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International terms, listed here, is permitted.

   

In this article