The fact that you're reading this blog post tells me that you are familiar with this scenario: you’re pumped about your brilliant online course idea, dreaming of all the lives you’ll change and the success you’ll build. But then… BAM! Like clockwork, your mind whispers, “Who are you to teach this? What if no one cares? What if you fail?” This happened to you before, right?

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. These mindset hurdles aren’t a sign you’re on the wrong path; they’re just the brain’s way of trying to protect you from uncertainty. The trick isn’t to fight them but to reframe and rise above them.

Whether you’re new to course creation or have been around the block a few times, mindset challenges have a sneaky way of showing up whenever you push yourself to try something new. But here’s the good news: these hurdles can be overcome. With the right tools, you can shift your mindset, stop self-sabotaging behaviours in their tracks, and build the resilience needed for long-term success.

Let’s dive into how.

What’s Holding You Back? A Closer Look at Key Mindset Blocks

Fear and Doubt: The Usual Suspects
Fear loves a good entrance, especially when you’re doing something bold. Fear of failure, success, judgment—you name it. These worries often sound like:

• “What if no one buys my course?”

• “What if I can’t deliver once people enrol?”

• “What if my course doesn’t help anyone?”

These fears might feel uniquely personal, but research says otherwise. Studies on impostor syndrome show that high-achieving individuals often doubt their abilities, worrying they’ll be “found out” as frauds. (Yes, even the “experts” feel this way!)

But here’s the kicker: fear isn’t fact. It’s just your brain trying to shield you from potential discomfort. Instead of letting it steer the ship, acknowledge its presence and say, “Thanks for trying to protect me, but I’ve got this!”

Self-Sabotage: The Sneaky Saboteur
Ah, self-sabotage—the frenemy who shows up uninvited. It wears many disguises, like procrastination (“I’ll start tomorrow… or next week”) or perfectionism (“It’s not ready yet—it needs just one more tweak!”).

You know, there is a good reason why my work is in the intersection of building a successful online course business and overcoming self-sabotage. For many of us (yes, for me too), the two goes hand-in-hand.

The root of self-sabotage? Often, it’s fear in disguise. When your mind sees the possibility of success as risky, it throws up roadblocks to keep you in your comfort zone. But remember: comfort zones are cozy, not growth zones.

The Safety Officer

One of my absolute favourite authors, Barbara Sher introduced the concept of the "Safety Officer" in her 1994 book (I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What It Was)  as part of her insights into overcoming internal resistance and self-sabotage. The Safety Officer represents the part of your mind that’s deeply rooted in fear and is responsible for keeping you safe—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

What the Safety Officer Is

The Safety Officer is like an overly cautious internal guardian. Its job is to ensure you avoid risks, failures, and embarrassment, often by keeping you within your comfort zone. This part of your mind is well-intentioned but often misguided when it comes to personal growth and pursuing dreams.

How the Safety Officer Tries to Protect You

The Safety Officer operates on outdated or overly simplistic rules designed to shield you from harm, such as:

• “Don’t try anything new—you might fail.”

• “Don’t put yourself out there—what if you get rejected?”

• “Stick to what you know—it’s safer.”

Its warnings come in the form of self-doubt, procrastination, or even perfectionism, all designed to make you hesitate or give up before you can face potential discomfort.

Why It Feels So Real

Sher emphasises that the Safety Officer’s voice often feels very convincing because it’s rooted in our evolutionary need to survive. In the past, avoiding risks could mean the difference between life and death. In modern life, however, this mechanism misfires when it treats non-lethal challenges (like creating an online course or speaking in public) as existential threats.

How to Work With Your Safety Officer

Sher suggests that you don’t need to fight or silence your Safety Officer. Instead, you can:

1. Acknowledge Its Role: Recognise that the Safety Officer is trying to help, even if its methods are unproductive. Thank it for its concern.

2. Reassure It: Gently explain that the risks you’re taking are not dangerous. For example, “Starting this project won’t hurt me—it’s just a chance to grow.”

3. Negotiate: Instead of diving headfirst into something intimidating, take smaller, safer steps to soothe the Safety Officer’s concerns. Gradual exposure reduces resistance.

4. Focus on the Rewards: Remind yourself (and your Safety Officer) of the positive outcomes you’re aiming for, like fulfilment, growth, and success.

By recognising and working with the Safety Officer, Sher teaches that you can turn its protective instincts into a source of encouragement rather than an obstacle. Understanding this dynamic helps you move past self-imposed barriers and embrace your goals with greater confidence and clarity.

Reframing Limiting Beliefs: From “I Can’t” to “I Can”

What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are those pesky little thoughts that hold you back, like:

• “I don’t have enough experience.”

• “I don’t have time to create a course.”

• “Why would anyone pay for what I know?”

These beliefs are like wearing foggy glasses—they distort your view of what’s possible. The good news? You can swap those glasses for a crystal-clear perspective.

How to Reframe Your Limiting Beliefs
Psychologists call this cognitive reframing, which is just a fancy way of saying: challenge your thoughts and flip the script.

Here’s how:

1. Spot the Belief: Write down the exact thought that’s holding you back.

2. Play Detective: Ask yourself, “Is this 100% true? What evidence supports or contradicts this?”

3. Flip It: Replace the limiting belief with an empowering one.

For example:

• Limiting Belief: “I’m not an expert.”

• Reframed: “I know enough to help someone take their first step—and that’s more than enough!”

Reframing takes practice, but every time you catch and flip a limiting belief, you’re rewiring your brain for growth.

Resilience: The Secret Sauce of Sustainable Success

Why Resilience Matters
Resilience is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. It’s what helps you bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward, no matter how tough things get.

Psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman found that resilience isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s a skill you can build. And here’s a fun fact: resilient people aren’t necessarily fearless; they’re just great at adapting and finding solutions.

How to Build Resilience

• Reframe Failure: Instead of fearing failure, see it as feedback. Ask, “What can I learn from this?”

• Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. (Kristin Neff’s research shows that self-compassion reduces stress and boosts motivation.)

• Lean on Your People: Surround yourself with supportive friends, mentors, and peers who remind you that you’re not alone.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Every little step forward is proof that you’re capable. Don’t wait for the big milestones—celebrate as you go!

• Gratitude and Mindfulness: Start or end your day by listing three things you’re grateful for. It’s a simple way to train your brain to focus on the positives.

Daily Practices for a Positive Mindset

Affirmations: Speak Success into Existence
Research shows that affirmations can reduce stress and boost confidence. It’s so funny that I even mention affirmations in the same blog post where I talk about Barbara Sher, because she was always very vocal about how affirmations never worked for her. And if I want to be very honest, I’m not a big fan of them either. But  that’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? That we are not the same, and just because something doesn’t work for me, that doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, start your day with statements like:

• “I am capable of creating a course that changes lives.”

• “I trust myself to figure things out as I go.”

• “Every step I take gets me closer to my goals.”

Mindset Journaling: Your Path to Clarity
Writing is a powerful tool for self-reflection and growth. Unlike affirmations, this is very much up to my alley. I absolutely LOVE journalling, and I am a firm believer that it can help with understanding myself better and dealing with my self-sabotaging tendencies and anxieties. The fact that it gives me an excuse to buy beautiful stationery helps too. If you are happy to do some scribbling, try prompts like:

• “What limiting beliefs am I holding onto, and how can I reframe them?”

• “What’s one challenge I overcame recently, and what did I learn from it?”

• “What small step can I take today to move forward with my course?”

Visualisation: Picture Your Success
Close your eyes and imagine your course being a success—students engaged, lives transformed, and you feeling proud of your work. Visualisation helps train your brain to believe it’s possible.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This

Mindset blocks like fear, doubt, and self-sabotage may feel overwhelming, but they’re not permanent. With tools like reframing, resilience, and daily practices, you can overcome these hurdles and create a foundation for sustainable success.

Remember: these challenges aren’t just for beginners—they pop up every time you stretch beyond your comfort zone. But that’s okay—it means you’re growing.

You’ve already got what it takes to succeed. Now it’s about nurturing that mindset and taking consistent action.

Grab Your Freebie: Affirmation and Journaling Toolkit for Course Creators

To help you on this journey, I’ve created a free toolkit packed with:

• 15 affirmations to boost your confidence.

• 10 journaling prompts to shift your mindset and build resilience.

• And and exercise to write a letter to your Safety Officer.

Sign-up to my newsletter here and the Toolkit is yours within seconds, so you can start creating a success mindset today!

You’ve got this, and I’ve got your back. Let’s make that course dream a reality!