10 reasons female entrepreneurs hold back and play small
I see so many brave, audacious incredible women – women who have felt the calling and have been courageous enough to launch their own business…
I see them holding back and playing small.
Yes, of setting big goals, and taking action to meet them.
But then not quite getting there, and falling short, and then beating themselves up and concluding that it must be them that’s the problem.
And feeling frustrated, and like a fraud.
If this is you I have a really special message in this week’s podcast episode. I’m going to share the top 10 reasons WHY female entrepreneurs hold back.
Share the game-changing mindset shift – will change everything. Really empowering.
Then going to share what you can do about it – if sick of playing small, and want to end 2024 on a total high
Enjoy the episode, and let me know what you think!
“I swallowed a load of water and had a panic attack” - Imposter Syndrome in action
Last week I had to practise what I preach when it comes to Imposter Syndrome when I had a panic attack in the middle of Lake Windermere.
I'd signed up for my Open Water Lifeguard qualification and felt like a total fraud.
I was right in the middle of the lake, trying to keep up with the other swimmers, when I swallowed a load of water, which triggered a panic attack.
This is the raw, authentic story of what happened to me... AND the EXACT steps I took to break free of my Imposter Syndrome.
Did I pass my qualification?
Listen to find out…
How to get your sh*t together
Everybody I’m speaking to seems to be overwhelmed right now.
Overwhelmed, burnt out, too many tabs open.
Part of it is the time of year, school admin seems to be off the charts at the moment, and the looming school holidays throwing everything into disarray.
And even if you don’t have kids, there is a LOT going on – the election, the Euros, July being a nightmare to schedule anything, clients cancelling, the algorithm on here going bonkers.
So many people I’m speaking to are feeling frazzled, and a lot of fear about how business is going – it’s genuinely tough out there for a lot of people.
You’d be forgiven for just pulling the duvet over your head and waiting until September when normal service resumes.
In today’s conversation I’m going to teach you some vital stuff.
Not only how to rise to the challenge and get everything done that you need to, but how to develop a bulletproof mindset so that whatever is going on externally, doesn’t even touch you.
Sound good? Let’s go!
How do you know if you’re successful?
Do you feel successful as an entrepreneur?
Are you achieving what you set out to achieve?
How can you measure your success?
And if you feel successful now, are you done, or are you ready to go for your next level?
We’re talking about some big questions in today’s conversation.
So many of us set off on the adventure of entrepreneurship, so busy doing the do that we forget to look up and check we’re still heading in the right direction.
Today is all about reconnecting (or quite simply connecting) with what success means to you.
I promise you’re going to feel excited and empowered as a result of this conversation.
7 ways self-sabotage is ruining your business
This week I got a call from an old client, an HR business owner.
“I think I’m self-sabotaging and I can’t stop it”
She was so frustrated, and kicking herself because she was no rookie.
She’d nailed her vision, her values and she had a cracking service offering.
And yet – she couldn’t quite break through a plateau.
Every time it looked like it was certain this time, she was going to bust through to a new level, something would happen, and she’d be right back where she’d started.
And she was tenacious – she knew how to pick herself back up and get on the horse.
But it was getting harder and harder, and she was losing the faith.
She was 100% right – it was self-sabotage at play.
This is the story of what we did to get her to recognise how she was self-sabotaging, why she was doing it – and what to do about it.
What would your 18 year old self think of you?
Would she be proud of all you’ve achieved?
Would she find you inspiring?
Would she be relieved it all worked out in the end?
What advice would you give her?
Inspired by a real life conversation with a client just this morning, this podcast is all about how your adolescent self is STILL running the show when it comes to your business – whether you know it or not. And of course, I’m also going to share what you can DO about it.
Overwhelmed and struggling – this is for you! AKA My Tuscan Existential Crisis
This is for you if life and business is feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment.
If you’re struggling to get going on projects, no matter how much you say you want to .
If you’re triggered by everyone seemingly doing it so much better than you on LinkedIn and Insta.
If Imposter Syndrome is running the show and you feel like you don’t belong.
If you’re even questioning your purpose and having a small existential crisis.
This is for you – we’re going there with the big questions today.
The bothy adventure - do something every day that scares you
Are you healed, or are you just hiding from your triggers? This is a question that coming up a lot in my coaching conversations at the moment. So often we can be going along, thinking we're doing really well, but really we're avoiding the scary stuff.
The Origin Story Paradigm & Lessons from the Mountain
I’ve just come back from the Rewilding retreat in the Lake District with the most incredible group of women.
All of them have both experienced and busted through their Origin Story Paradigm, and I want to capture it for you while it’s still fresh – because there’s a lesson in there for you too.
Don t quit. Life is tough, but so are you lovely 🔥
Have you been feeling the push to quit? To throw the towel in, to admit defeat, to acknowledge you’re just not cut out for this entrepreneurship game?
Listen to today’s conversation before you make any big decisions – it might just be the very thing you need right now.
10 traits of highly successful female entrepreneurs
I’m in the privileged position of working with some incredibly successful female entrepreneurs, founders and business owners.
I’ve been doing this work since 2007, I’ve helped hundreds, if not thousands of women to date.
Over this time, I’ve observed 10 key traits of the most successful ones, and this is what I want to share with you today.
The 10 Signs You MUST Tackle Your Imposter NOW
These are the 10 Signs of Imposter Syndrome in women, that indicate that’s it time to do something about it! I shared this workshop twice last week, and it was so impactful and eye-opening I want to share it with you too. I invite you to play along – grab a pen and paper, and see how many resonate with you.
Winning an award vs Imposter Syndrome ➡️ A hot off-the-press case study
Have you ever been nominated for an award? If you have Imposter Syndrome as well, this is the ultimate stress test for IS.
I’ve helped so many clients over the years get over the Imposter Syndrome about being nominated for awards, and be able to properly celebrate and bask when they win, or deal with the upcoming stuff when they lose.
Well, last night it was my turn and this is the perfect case study for what I want to talk to you about today.
Are you just planning on just surviving through October? Listen to this
"I just want to get through it"
"I'm planning on surviving it"
How do you feel about October?
I've had the above comments a few times this week and so wanted to address them.
Often when we're overwhelmed and getting stuck in the weeds, we lose sight of the big dream and just concentrate on the day to day.
This is a huge problem, because you end of having about 10% of the impact you could be having, and end up feeling rubbish and lost.
OR you might be doing incredible things - they're ALL high value and high stakes - but you're so stretched and desperate to get it right - you're not enjoying and celebrating your success.
How to connect with your authentic power as a female founder
Today I’m talking to you if you want to find and unleash your authentic power as a female founder
- Maybe you’re not getting the results you want in your business
- Maybe you’re doing all-the-things and frustrated because it’s not working
- Maybe you’re paralysed by lack of clarity
- Maybe you’re starting to doubt you’ve got what it takes
In this talk I’m going to give you 7 steps. 7 steps that you can take, today, and put into action, and start seeing the results
Online Marketing, Mindset & Magic - Interview with Sally Oddy
In this episode Claire Ackers talks to Sally Oddy, Business and Mindset Mentor. During the chat they cover:
her personal mantra of 'hold fast, trust your gut and keep going'
her top tips for online marketing for entrepreneurs
How to Grow a Values-led Company
One of the smartest things you can do as an authentic entrepreneur is get clear on your values - both personal and business.
But how do you identify what they are - and in a meaningful way, rather than corporate buzzwords? And once you've got them, what does that mean in practice?
In this episode Claire delivers a mini-training on how to identify, define and live your values - an essential foundation for any authentic entrepreneur.
Get Visible - PR for Authentic Entrepreneurs & Leaders
I was thrilled to have the chance to pick the brains of PR expert Caroline Joynson about the best way to get visible, right now. If you’re trying to get your brand or name out there and shout about what you do, do not miss this episode!
7 ways to beat virtual imposter syndrome
This is a really common challenge at the moment, that's coming up in a lot of my coaching sessions. How do you make real connections, and have the impact you want, when you're stuck behind a computer screen?
10 Ways to Lead Authentically in Testing Times
I've researched the very best ways leaders are adapting and evolving but staying authentic, and compiled them in this handy guide to inspire you. Join the Audacity Community of amazing leaders and entrepreneurs