Episode 4: Overcoming Tech Overwhelm: Insights from Michelle Chapman

Learning to navigate the tech needed to grow your business can feel overwhelming, especially when those moments of doubt creep in. In this episode of the This Mum Loves Tech podcast, Nicola Walsh is joined by Michelle Chapman from the Elite Academy of Development and Wellbeing to explore the mindset challenges that hold us back with tech, how to overcome them, and practical ways to build confidence in your skills.

Whether you’re a mum balancing business and family life or an entrepreneur tackling new tools, this episode will inspire you to rethink your approach to learning tech and remind you that practice and mindset are just as important as the tools themselves.

Why Do We Fear Tech?

Michelle sheds light on why so many people feel like they’re “bad at tech.” It often comes down to preconceived ideas about our abilities. We’ve all told ourselves, “I’m just not good at this” or “I’ll never figure it out.” But Michelle explains that these thoughts can create unnecessary mental blocks, stopping us from progressing.

She describes the stages of learning:

• Unconscious Incompetence: Not knowing what you don’t know.
• Conscious Incompetence: Realising you don’t know how to do something—this is where the overwhelm often sets in.
• Conscious Competence: Actively practicing a new skill.
• Unconscious Competence: Mastering a skill so well it becomes second nature.

Michelle’s advice? Don’t let being at the “conscious incompetence” stage discourage you. It’s normal to struggle when trying something new.

The Impact of Mindset on Progress

Michelle shares that the thoughts we attach to our learning process often determine whether we give up or push through. For many, the frustration of not being “good” at something immediately leads to feelings of failure. But as Michelle points out, “Why would you know how to do something you’ve never done before?”

By reframing your mindset, you can approach tech with curiosity instead of fear. Michelle emphasises the importance of practice, reminding us that even experts were once beginners.

Building Confidence in Your Tech Skills

Confidence doesn’t come from being perfect; it comes from making mistakes and learning from them. Michelle highlights how vital it is to embrace failure as part of the journey. Whether it’s figuring out email marketing tools or setting up a professional email, every small win builds confidence.

Nicola also shared her own experience with tech overwhelm and how creating opportunities to reflect—such as during her morning school runs—helped her find clarity and build her skills over time.

Practical Strategies for Tackling Tech Overwhelm

1. Start Small: Focus on one tool or process at a time instead of trying to master everything at once.
2. Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from a coach, a course, or a community like This Mum Loves Tech.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice: Just like learning to drive or cook, tech requires repetition. Keep going, and it will get easier.
4. Take Breaks: Step away from tasks when you feel overwhelmed. Fresh eyes often lead to better results.

Michelle’s Top Tip for Mindset Shifts

One of the standout insights from this episode is Michelle’s advice to stop overthinking time constraints. For busy mums running businesses, it’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of “I only have X hours, so I’ll never get it all done.” But this thinking actually wastes time. Instead, focus on the task at hand without stressing over the clock.

How to Access More Support

Michelle’s full masterclass, From Fear to Focus: Overcoming Tech Overwhelm, is available inside the This Mum Loves Tech Membership. This in-depth session explores mindset techniques and practical strategies to help you move past overwhelm and tackle tech with confidence.

As Nicola mentions in this episode, the membership also gives you access to:

• Masterclasses on tools like Canva, MailerLite, and Google Workspace.
• Monthly group Zoom calls for personalised tech support.
• A supportive community of like-minded women in business.

Find out more and join the Membership Here

Growth Through Mindset and Practice

Tech doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By breaking down the learning process, shifting your mindset, and practicing regularly, you can turn tech into a powerful tool for your business. Michelle’s advice reminds us that confidence is built over time, and every step forward, no matter how small, gets you closer to your goals.