How to squash pre-franchise anxieties

You finally decided to take a deep dive into franchise ownership. You thought you were ready to buy a franchise and to start your life again by following your passion and dreams. But now that the dream is about to become a reality, you’re having second thoughts.

Thankfully, this is completely normal. It’s completely expected to have fears. In fact, you should have some anxieties before a major decision. But you can be a little skittish about the process and still get off to a great start with your franchise. To calm those fears, follow the steps below.

1. Congratulate yourself for getting this far.

First of all, give yourself a pat on the back for how far you’ve come! You’ve achieved your dream of owning a franchise. You’ve done your research, you’ve looked at your own abilities and you’ve taken a calculated risk. This is above and beyond what many people do in their lives. This puts you on an entirely different plane than the worker bees that will never escape from under the company hive. You made a decision to do something that matters to you – and that took a lot of guts in the first place.

Remind yourself that you’re brave and that you can do this. New adventures are always scary. But with preparation and planning, you’ll be in a great spot to get off the ground. Make a list of all the reasons you decided to become a franchise owner. Then, list all the positive traits and skills you’ll bring to the venture. Tape this list to your mirror or front door so you can be reminded of how accomplished you are each day.

2. Don’t expect immediate perfection.

After that first step, take some time to think about your first job. Were you successful right away? Started your career off perfectly? Probably not. It probably took time for you to become good at it. You had to learn new skills and go through some trial and error. The same line of thinking applies to starting a franchise. Don’t expect that every day will be a great day – especially not right away. Eventually, if you do it right, you’ll have more good days than bad ones. But, in the beginning, remember: Everything that happens is part of the learning process. Accept small mistakes or errors and lessons to be learned, not as signs of failure. Remember, you have the skills, you just need a little real-world practice.

Try not to compare yourself to others or even where your expectation may have started. Set small, tangible goals, monitor your progress and call in support if needed. You will get to the spot you want to, but it may not come overnight!

3. Call your franchisor.

Speaking of calling in worry, if you have serious doubts, concerns or questions – or even just butterflies in your stomach – call your franchisor. They’re there to help do just that – offer support and answer questions. They’ve dealt with many people in the exact same situation with the exact same worries. They expect you to have fears and they know what you’re going through, as well as how to give practical advice for any issues on your mind. They’re an excellent resource to have on hand. They can help with any question or worry — big or small!

4. Engaged in stress-relieving activities.

These steps should help you manage many of your fears and anxieties. However, it’s also a good idea to always have other ways to relieve stress, both before and during your time as a franchisee. Are there certain strategies you already have in place? It might be as simple as journaling or writing down your thoughts each day or meeting with a friend for coffee each week. You can also engage in a fun hobby outside of work, like yoga, gardening or an art class. Make sure to engage in one of these activities every week.

Think about small ways to reduce stress each day, too. That may mean taking a lunchtime walk to clear your mind, doing a few minutes of meditation or even starting the day with a positive thought. Remember, balancing work and personal life can be stressful for anyone. Have the tools in place to promote wellness. It will make you a better business owner in the long run.

Are you ready to conquer your fears?

If you’re ready to face whatever’s scaring you and finally start your own franchise, see where your passion can take you. Talk to someone about taking the first step today!