Those who create reasons not to do something are the ones who actually want to take on the challenge.

Hello, this is Iguchi.

As a sole proprietor, I am exploring WEB customer attraction and sales promotion methods that can be practiced even with small capital, while repeating hypotheses and verifications every day.

In this note, I focus on marketing terms that you might have heard of but are often used vaguely. Based on my own research and real-life experiences, I have summarized them in words that are as easy to understand as possible.

I would be happy if I could deliver this in a way that even those who are not good with technical terms can think, 'I see, that's what it means.'

'I know I have to do it, but I end up doing something else...'

Don't you have moments like that?
I have them all the time (laughs).

Hello, this is Iguchi.

By the way, as a sole proprietor, I am learning about marketing and writing while repeating practice and verification every day.

The theme this time is 'Self-handicapping'.

The name sounds a bit stiff, but in short, it is a mental habit of creating excuses in advance for when you fail.

For example, that feeling of saying, 'I couldn't prepare because I was busy...' or 'It's not perfect yet...' to avoid touching on the issue of your own ability.

At first glance, it seems like you are protecting your heart, but in reality, it can sometimes put the brakes on your own potential and growth.

However, just knowing this can change how you act and how you face yourself a little.

In this article, we will think together about in what situations self-handicapping is likely to occur and how we should face it.

Those who think, 'I have some idea what that's like...' will surely find some insights.

What exactly is self-handicapping?

Simply put, self-handicapping is a mental process of creating the possibility of failure in advance so that if you really do fail, you can explain that the cause of the failure was not due to your own ability.

It sounds a bit complicated, doesn't it? (laughs).

For example, 'Me reading manga before a test'

Let's think about a more familiar example.

When you were a student, have you ever had the experience of reading manga or getting absorbed in games before a test, saying, 'Ah, it's impossible to cram anyway, forget it!'?

I did it all the time (laughs).

And if the test results were bad, I would make excuses in my heart, saying, 'Well, I didn't study at all, I was reading manga, I could do it if I tried, it's just that the manga was interesting.'

This is exactly self-handicapping!

If I studied seriously and failed, I wouldn't want it to be attributed to my ability, like 'Maybe I'm not smart...', so I create a handicap for myself in advance by 'not studying'.

That way, even if I fail, I can protect my pride by saying, 'It's because I didn't study!'

I felt once again that the human heart is interesting.

Let's apply this to us sole proprietors and freelancers

So, in what situations does this self-handicapping appear in our activities as sole proprietors and freelancers?

For example,

When creating a new proposal

'I packed other work until the last minute before the deadline, and in the end, the preparation for the proposal was insufficient...'

Even if I don't get the contract, I can say, 'I was too busy to prepare, so it can't be helped.'

Perhaps there is a hidden feeling that I don't want it to be thought that not getting the contract is due to my own planning or sales ability.

When accepting work in a field I'm not good at

'This is my first time in this field, so it might be a bit difficult...' I emphasize this to those around me more than necessary.

Even if it doesn't go well, I'm in a state where I've left room for excuses, saying, 'It was an inexperienced field!'

When taking on a new challenge

'The preparation isn't perfect yet, so let me gather more information before I start,' and I procrastinate.

This can also be said to be a pattern of running away from the challenge itself because I'm afraid of failing, using the reason of 'not prepared yet'.

Looking at it this way, there are several situations I can relate to.
Especially things like 'I'm busy' or 'I'm not prepared yet', I tend to say them easily, don't I?

How do you face self-handicapping?

After learning about 'self-handicapping' this time, what I felt was that this is a natural movement of the human heart.

I think everyone has the desire to protect their pride and not get hurt.

However, by noticing this psychology, your perspective might change just a little.

If you notice, 'Oh, is this self-handicapping?', try stopping and thinking for a moment.

'Am I really so busy that I can't prepare? Or am I afraid of failing and trying to make excuses for myself?'

Of course, there's no need to force yourself to aim for perfection, but it's a waste not to be able to demonstrate your original power because of a handicap you created yourself.

From now on, I will also try to have a little dialogue with my heart when facing new work or challenges.

If you have any idea what this is about, why don't you think about it once?

By knowing 'self-handicapping', you might find hints to make our business and daily life more positive!

Thank you for reading until the end.

I would be happy if this article led to a small realization like 'I see, that's what it was!' or hints for your ideas.

I would be very encouraged if you could follow me.
I will also follow you back ^^