As a female entrepreneur, it’s not uncommon to feel like your biggest obstacle to success is yourself. Often it’s our internal dialogue, our Inner Critic, that gets in the way of being the calm, confident leader we need and deeply desire to be.
This Inner Critic can be especially damaging for female entrepreneurs, who may already be facing challenges related to gender bias, access to capital and the precarious balance between work and family. When we allow our Inner Critic to take over, we may second-guess our decisions, hesitate to take risks, and feel like we don’t deserve our success.
So how can female entrepreneurs overcome their Inner Critic and achieve success? Here are a few tips:
- Recognize your Inner Critic: The first step to overcoming your Inner Critic is to recognize when it’s speaking up. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, and try to identify when you’re being overly self-Critical.
- Challenge that critical conversation: When your Inner Critic speaks up, challenge it. Ask yourself if the things you’re telling yourself are really true, or if they’re just negative self-talk.
- Surround yourself with positive influences: Creating a community filled with positive, supportive people can help counteract your Inner Critic. Join a networking group or find a coach who can offer guidance and encouragement.
- Practice empathy: Instead of beating yourself up when you make a mistake or fall short of your goals, have empathy for yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend.
- Celebrate your successes: Make sure to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may be. Recognize your achievements and give yourself credit for the hard work you’ve put in.
Remember, overcoming your Inner Critic is a journey, not a destination. It takes time and effort to change the way you think about yourself and your abilities. But with practice and persistence, you can silence your Inner Critic and achieve the success you deserve. As a female entrepreneur, you have the power to create your own path, and with a little self-confidence and self-compassion, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.
Do you struggle with your Inner Ciritic? You can turn down the volume on that negative self-talk in just 10 minutes a day. Contact us to learn about the Positive Intelligence Bootcamp we offer, which provide the tools, techniques and the accountability to build the mental fitness you need to and shift that conversation.
This article was written by Lindsay White, an Executive Coach at FSQ, who has a podcast Female Founder Friday, which features conversations with the most incredible Female Founders discussing their journey to becoming entrepreneurs, how they lead, and what they’ve learned along the way.