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!
Want to stand in your unapologetic power & authority as a leader? Listen to this
It's World Values Day and anybody who knows me knows I bang on about values at every opportunity.
Let’s talk about values, and why you these need to be your no. 1 focus if you are a business owner
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.
Reflections on September
What a month it has been!
The kids have returned to school and we're in the full swing of planning the final months of the year.
I've hosted my 'Freedom from Imposter Syndrome for Tech & Digital Professionals' Event as part of the Leeds Digital Festival and I couldn't be happier with how it went.
Do you believe in the win win?
I just had the most incredible conversation with a friend and fellow female entrepreneur - I got so inspired and dashed straight on here to tell you about it!
If you're in need of some mojo today - check this out!
The dreaded wobbles when running a business
Can we talk about the wobbles?
They're part of the price of doing business, and every entrepreneur has self-doubts and moments where they think they're not cut out for this.
Moments where you feel frustrated that you're not as successful (wealthy) as you'd like to be, and you're so tempted to give up and get a JOB.
Conventional wisdom says to fake it until you make it, and push on through.
I wholeheartedly DISAGREE with this, and in this conversation I'm going to tell you why.
Are you self sabotaging?
Today I’d like to open up the topic of self-sabotage.
If you self-sabotage, you might say things like:
Why do I always mess things up?
Of course that wouldn’t last, it wasn’t the right time
I knew they’d made the wrong choice, picking me
I knew I shouldn’t celebrate that thing, I’ve totally jinxed it
Today’s conversation is all about that self-sabotage – why we do it, what it might look like for you, and some real life case studies from clients.
Your Essential Standards
Today I'm talking to you about Essential Standards - one of my favourite topics.
If you’re constantly firefighting in your business, working on low-value stuff or people-pleasing with clients - this is for you.
If you're frustrated by your results or lack clarity or focus, this is for you.
Or if you want a surefire strategy to show up as your highest and best self every single day, this is for you.
Why female founders fail (and how not to be one of them)
Today I'm talking to you about why female founders fail (and how not to be one of them)
I've been coaching female entrepreneurs since 2007, and what I've seen is there are a certain set of challenges that (mostly) only female founders experience.
Understanding these challenges, and knowing how to navigate them can mean the difference between success and throwing in the towel in your business.
Listen to this if it feels like everything has gone to sh*t
Today I’m talking to you if you're a female entrepreneur who's dealing with a whole tonne of sh*t at the moment
Maybe everything has gone wrong that could go wrong this week
Or maybe you've had some horrible news that's making you feel wretched
Or maybe you're having an existential crisis and questioning your very existence?
In this conversation I’m going to give you an action plan of what to do when everything feels like everything has gone to sh*t and you can't see a way forward.
Do you want more clarity in your business?
Today I’m talking to you if you're a female entrepreneur who's struggling with clarity at the moment.
Maybe you can't see the wood for the trees
Or maybe you're feeling overwhelmed and can't see the next right step
In this conversation I’m going to give you 6 things you can do today, to get clarity where was confusion and chaos
Lisa East - How to Create Authentic Content
In this episode Claire Ackers talks to Lisa East, Managing Director of The Thinking Cap - a social media management agency.
During the chat they cover; her top tips for creating a content calendar
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
"I appreciate my brazen streak" - Interview with Georgia Halston
In this episode Claire Ackers talks to Georgia Halston, Group CEO and Founder of Halston Group.
During the chat they cover:
how her unashamed self-belief - what she calls her 'brazen streak' has stood her in good stead
Have you been feeling the nudge?
Have you been feeling the nudge? And do you listen to it?
Among people there seems to be a nudge. A whisper, an intuitive pull towards their next level. A secret suspicion that they are made for bigger and better things.
How to Truly Partner With Your Accountant - Interview with Matt Whelan
In this episode Claire Ackers talks to Matt Whelan, Cofounder and Director at SW&P Accountancy.
"Let the Wild Rumpus Start" - Marrying Art & Business with Eleanor Snare
In this episode Claire Ackers talks to Eleanor Snare, the 'wild-haired imagineer' who acts as a catalyst between art and business.
During the chat they cover:
how traditional careers advice left them 'torn apart' (and how their first crush on Jonathan Creek led to their future career)
Financial Wellness for Female Entrepreneurs - Interview with Diane Watson
In this episode Claire Ackers talks to Diane Watson, founder of the She Can Prosper initiative and financial planner, about financial wellness for female entrepreneurs.