The Product Boss Podcast - Episode 676: Why Feeling ‘Not Enough’ is Normal—And How to Move Past It

Release Date: March 24, 2025
Host: Jacqueline Snyder

Introduction

In Episode 676 of The Product Boss Podcast, Jacqueline Snyder delves deep into the pervasive feeling of "not enoughness" that many entrepreneurs face. Drawing from her personal experiences and professional insights, Jacqueline offers a heartfelt discussion on understanding, embracing, and overcoming self-doubt to thrive both personally and in business.

Understanding the Feeling of Not Enoughness

Jacqueline begins by acknowledging a common struggle among entrepreneurs: the persistent sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. She states, "Feeling not enough is normal, but how long we're gonna live in that self-doubt and giving our power over to someone else, that's when we're gonna be like, nope, gotta get back on my feet and get going" (02:15).

Personal Journey and Life Challenges

Jacqueline shares candidly about a tumultuous year and a half marked by significant personal and professional challenges. She recounts the passing of her father, acquiring a business from her co-founder, purchasing a new home, and her mother's battle with cancer. These events collectively contributed to her feeling "chipped away" like a rock being worn down (05:30).

Despite these hardships, Jacqueline emphasizes the importance of recognizing both the good and the bad aspects of life. She reflects, "This is life. This is the richness of life. This is life living. And if I'm going to live this beautiful, wonderful, amazing life, that it's going to be the good and the bad, but it's all together" (12:45).

The Retreat Experience and Epiphany

Seeking clarity and support, Jacqueline attended a retreat with a mastermind group for successful entrepreneurs. Surrounded by driven individuals, she initially struggled with feelings of inadequacy, particularly when seeing younger peers balancing family and business. This culminated in a moment of self-realization where she reminded herself of her accomplishments, saying, "You are her. You're actually a little bit later" (18:20).

At the retreat, Jacqueline confronted the root of her not enoughness: comparison. She acknowledges, "Compare leads to despair. If you see others as ahead of you and you start to compare, it's like, we're never going to catch up" (22:10). This insight was pivotal in shifting her mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance and self-acceptance.

Overcoming Comparison and Embracing Self-Worth

Jacqueline discusses the detrimental effects of comparing oneself to others. She emphasizes that comparison often stems from feeling like one needs to "know more, do more, be more," leading to a perpetual sense of inadequacy. To combat this, she introduces a powerful affirmation technique: "I am figuring this out" (31:05).

By repeating this affirmation, Jacqueline suggests that entrepreneurs can reframe their internal dialogue from self-doubt to self-empowerment. She shares her personal practice of double-clapping or tapping herself while affirming, "I am figuring this out," reinforcing her belief in her capacity to overcome challenges (35:50).

The Importance of Self-Care and Wellness

Acknowledging the constant juggle of responsibilities, Jacqueline highlights the critical role of self-care in maintaining business success and personal well-being. She introduces Glossy, her favorite daily beauty supplement, as a simple yet effective way to support skin and gut health without sacrificing time (40:00). This segment underscores the necessity of replenishing oneself to pour effectively into both business and personal life.

Mindset Shifts and Practical Strategies

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to actionable strategies for overcoming feelings of not being enough. Jacqueline encourages listeners to:

1. Embrace Action Over Inaction: She asserts that taking action, even amidst self-doubt, fosters growth and diminishes feelings of inadequacy. "The self-doubt is when we sit in the inaction, but when we take action, at least we're learning from it" (52:30).

2. Trusting Your Gut: Jacqueline differentiates between the misleading narratives of the brain and the intuitive guidance of the gut. She advises, "Can you try and go back into your body and find like, no, no, you have everything that you need" (57:10).

3. Affirmations and Positive Reinforcement: Repeating affirmations like "I am figuring this out" helps rewire the mindset from one of limitation to one of possibility.

4. Engaging in Healing Practices: Whether through meditation, retreats, or other healing modalities, Jacqueline emphasizes the importance of addressing and healing underlying traumas that contribute to self-doubt (59:45).

Conclusion and Encouragement

Jacqueline wraps up the episode by reiterating that feelings of self-doubt and not being enough are universal among entrepreneurs, especially when embarking on significant ventures. She offers reassurance and encouragement, stating, "If you can work on your mindset... you've got it, my friend. You got it. You're figuring this out, and I know you can" (1:05:20).

She urges listeners to continue tuning into The Product Boss Podcast for ongoing support, strategies, and inspiration, reinforcing the message that they are not alone in their struggles.

Key Takeaways

• Recognition is the First Step: Acknowledging feelings of not being enough is crucial for initiating change.

• Comparison is Counterproductive: Comparing oneself to others can lead to despair and hinder personal growth.

• Affirmations Empower: Positive affirmations like "I am figuring this out" can shift mindset from self-doubt to self-confidence.

• Action Over Inaction: Taking steps forward, despite uncertainties, fosters growth and reduces feelings of inadequacy.

• Self-Care is Essential: Prioritizing self-care supports both personal well-being and business success.

• Trust Your Intuition: Listening to your gut can guide you through uncertainties better than overanalyzing scenarios.

Notable Quotes

• "Feeling not enough is normal, but how long we're gonna live in that self-doubt and giving our power over to someone else, that's when we're gonna be like, nope, gotta get back on my feet and get going." (02:15)

• "Compare leads to despair. If you see others as ahead of you and you start to compare, it's like, we're never going to catch up." (22:10)

• "I am figuring this out." (35:50)

• "The self-doubt is when we sit in the inaction, but when we take action, at least we're learning from it." (52:30)

• "If you can work on your mindset... you've got it, my friend. You got it. You're figuring this out, and I know you can." (1:05:20)

Final Thoughts

Episode 676 of The Product Boss Podcast serves as a compassionate and insightful guide for entrepreneurs grappling with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy. Jacqueline Snyder's authentic sharing of her own struggles, coupled with practical strategies and affirmations, offers listeners both comfort and actionable steps to reclaim their confidence and propel their businesses forward. This episode underscores the importance of mindset in achieving entrepreneurial success and personal fulfillment.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments for Instacart, Glossy, and Year of Content have been omitted to focus on the episode's core content.