I've had the privilege of working with numerous entrepreneurs who have built their businesses from the ground up. They're the ones who dare to dream big, take calculated risks, and push the boundaries of innovation.

However, beneath the surface, many entrepreneurs harbour secrets that they dare not speak aloud. They hide behind a mask of confidence, concealing the turmoil that brews within.

As I reflect on my own journey as an entrepreneur, I realise that we're all liars. We're liars because we wear a brave face to the world, while secretly battling the demons of self-doubt, anxiety, and fear.

We lie about our mental health, downplaying our struggles with depression or anxiety to avoid appearing weak. We minimise our setbacks and rejections to preserve our image as strong leaders.

We lie about our stress levels, masking the sleepless nights spent worrying about the future of our business. We say we’re fine when asked about our workload or deadlines, but privately, we’re counting down the minutes until we can collapse onto our pillows.

We lie about our fears. We’ll put on a brave face and tell you we’re not worried about failure, but deep down, we’re consumed by doubts and anxieties. We’ll rationalise our fears away, convincing ourselves that fear is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey.

We lie about our sleep patterns. We’ll claim we’re functioning on minimal sleep and that we thrive on adrenaline alone. The truth is, we’re exhausted, and our minds are perpetually racing with thoughts of competition, finances, and uncertainty.

We lie about the time devoted to our loved ones. We’ll say we prioritise family and relationships above all else, but in reality, we sacrifice precious moments with our loved ones for the sake of our business.

But why do we lie about our struggles?

Why do entrepreneurs perpetuate this facade?

It's because we've been conditioned to believe that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. We're told that success is built on confidence, resilience, and determination – traits that require us to put on a brave face and soldier on.

But here’s the thing: vulnerability is strength. It takes courage to admit our fears, our doubts, and our struggles.

It takes guts to be honest about our limitations and our vulnerabilities. And it takes empathy to understand that others may be struggling just as much as we are.

So, let's stop lying to ourselves and others.

Let's shatter the stigma surrounding vulnerability and create a culture where it's okay to say:

"I'm struggling."

"I'm scared."

"I need help."

"I'm human."

Because when we do, we'll discover that we're not alone in our struggles – and that together, we can build something truly remarkable.