Fear of Being Judged by Colleagues: What’s Really Holding You Back From Your Online Business
Sep 25, 2025
If you’ve ever thought about starting an online business, maybe creating digital products, running a membership, or teaching pet owners, you’ve probably felt a wave of excitement… quickly followed by a sinking fear:
“But what will my colleagues think?”
This fear is one of the biggest reasons veterinary professionals hold back from taking their first step online. And it makes sense, our profession is tight-knit, highly educated, and sometimes critical. No one wants to feel judged or looked down on.
But here’s the truth: fear of judgment will keep you stuck if you let it.
Why We Worry About Judgment
As veterinary professionals, we’re trained to get things right. Years of exams, clinical placements, and peer review shape us into perfectionists. That same drive to do everything “correctly” makes the idea of putting ourselves out there, online for the whole world (and our colleagues) to see, absolutely terrifying.
The questions come thick and fast:
- What if they think I’m not qualified enough?
- What if I make a mistake?
- What if they laugh at me?
The Reality: Most People Aren’t Watching That Closely
Here’s a freeing thought: most colleagues are far too busy with their own work, families, and businesses to sit and critique yours. And the ones who do notice? Many will actually admire your courage to try something different.
Yes, there will always be skeptics. But their opinion doesn’t pay your bills, change your lifestyle, or help the pet owners who desperately need your knowledge.
And here’s another truth: often the harshest judgment comes from people who are jealous, or simply not brave enough to do what you are doing (or have already done). Then there are the inevitable keyboard warriors who hide behind screens. You can’t control them, but you can control where you place your focus.
Reframing Judgment as a Sign of Growth
The moment you step into something new, people will have opinions. That’s not a sign you’re doing something wrong, it’s a sign you’re moving forward.
Think about it:
- If you never launch, no one has anything to say.
- If you launch and someone notices? That means you’re visible, making an impact, and building something that matters.
When you focus on the good you’re doing, your whole outlook shifts. You have the ability to help more people than your hands alone ever could in the clinic. That ripple effect is far more important than a few negative comments along the way.
How to Move Past the Fear
- Focus on who you’re helping, not who’s watching. Your digital product or online service isn’t for your colleagues, it’s for pet owners who need your support.
- Start small. You don’t have to go big from day one. Create something simple and test it. Each step builds confidence.
- Build a supportive community. Surround yourself with people who understand the online journey (mentors, peers, or groups). Encouragement outweighs judgment every time.
- Remember your why. Whether it’s more time with your family, less stress, or extra income, let your “why” be louder than your fear.
The Bottom Line
The fear of being judged is real, but it doesn’t have to stop you. Every veterinary professional who has launched an online business has felt it, and every single one of them will tell you: it was worth pushing through.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about what your colleagues think. It’s about the freedom, flexibility, and impact you create when you share your knowledge online.
Don’t let fear of judgment stop you from being the change this world needs.