It’s time to get real about why it’s so hard to niche down: 5 ego-based reasons we resist defining a niche.

Niche resistance is real.

For years I didn’t take the leap into entrepreneurship because I was freaked out by the thought of committing to one idea, let alone to a specific niche. But after working with hundreds of online business owners, I’ve seen how the most successful people were those who carved out a clear niche.

Now I’m fully embracing defining and claiming my own niche.

I got here by getting real with myself about what was really behind the resistance. The reasons we all give for struggling with niching are valid. But we don’t often talk about the raw and not so flattering truth behind those reasons.

Here are 5 not-so-pretty ways our egos keep us from getting specific about who we help and write for:

1. You want people to know you’re special.

We all have many strengths, interests and ideas. I’m an interesting person with lots of things I love and I don’t want people to think I’m one-dimensional.
No matter how special you might feel or want to be, trying to show it by sharing a wide variety of ideas will almost always fail. It’s more likely you’ll seem scattered and aimless.

2. You don’t want to seem boring.

Even a very specific niche has loads of areas to explore. If you’re bored and feel boring it’s because you’re not stretching your thinking. Challenge yourself to make things new and see new perspectives to get others thinking differently about your specific area.

3. You don’t want to miss out on other good things.

You don’t get to do it all. There will always be way more that you can’t do, read, learn, experience. The world is not your oyster and that’s okay. Make the most of the areas where you can sustainably stand out instead.

4. You can help so many more people.

You think: “I don’t want to exclude people. I’m not that kind of person. And I definitely don’t want people to think I am.” But there are people who will get more from your help and your writing than others. That’s a fact. So look at it as making those people feel seen and understood.

5. You’re focusing on you.

Of course we want to help and connect with people through our work. But it’s normal to first think about how we will be seen and how doing something will impact us. Owning that truth will help you get over yourself.

No matter how selfish it might seem, we all approach things from an egocentric perspective. What’s in it for me?

By owning this truth, we can accept that we are often driven by ego while still being good people.