Why Confidence Should Be Your Most Exercised Muscle As A Female Entrepreneur

As a female entrepreneur, building confidence is crucial to your success. It’s a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly. Celebrating your wins and sharing them with others is an excellent way to boost your confidence. But what happens when your wins are overshadowed by the demands of others? That’s when setting boundaries becomes essential.

Building Confidence: Confidence is a key trait for any entrepreneur, especially for us women; after all, we have so many different areas of life that we’re responsible for. If we don’t take care of our confidence, how will we get it all done? It can feel frustrating to build your confidence up and lose it, but it’s important to remember that confidence is not a fixed trait; it’s a muscle that can be developed and strengthened over time. Here are some practical ways to build confidence as a female entrepreneur.

Celebrate your wins: Celebrating your wins, no matter how small, is an excellent way to boost your confidence. Set aside time each day to acknowledge your accomplishments, whether it's closing a deal, finishing a project, or making a new connection. This habit will not only help you to develop a positive mindset, but it will also reinforce your sense of achievement.

Surround yourself with supportive people: Surrounding yourself with supportive people is critical for building confidence. Seek out mentors, peers, or accountability partners who can offer feedback and encouragement. These people will help you to stay motivated, provide a sounding board for your ideas, and offer constructive criticism when needed. (The Vixen Mastermind is the perfect way to get yourself a group of like-minded women to cheer you on!😉)

Take risks: Taking (calculated) risks is essential for building confidence. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Whether it's launching a new product or service, speaking at a conference, or starting a new venture, taking calculated risks will help you to grow as an entrepreneur and build your confidence.

Learn from failure: Failure is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship. But rather than viewing it as a setback, use failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Reflect on what went wrong, and how you can improve for next time. Embracing failure as a learning opportunity will help you to develop resilience and build your confidence. 

Setting Boundaries: Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially when you're running a business. You want to be available to everyone, all the time. However, constantly giving your time and energy to others can put you on the fast track to burnout. That's why it's essential to prioritize your own needs and set boundaries to protect your time and energy. Here are some tips for setting boundaries as a female entrepreneur:

Identify your priorities: Start by identifying your priorities. Most of the time, you can take a look at your core values to identify these. What are the most important things in your life and your business? Once you have identified your priorities, you can set boundaries around those areas.

Say no: Saying no is one of the most powerful tools for setting boundaries. (Ever heard the phrase, “No is a complete sentence?”) It can be challenging, especially when you want to please everyone. But learning to say no is critical for protecting your time and energy. If a request doesn't align with your priorities or goals, say no. 

Establish clear work hours: Establishing clear work hours is essential for setting boundaries. It's easy to fall into the trap of working all the time, especially when you're passionate about your business. But working all the time can quickly lead to burnout. Set clear work hours and communicate them to your clients and team members.

Take breaks: Taking breaks is essential for maintaining your energy and focus. Set aside time for self-care, exercise, or taking a mental health day when needed. Taking care of yourself is critical for your business's success, and setting boundaries around your time and energy will allow you to do just that.

Why Boundaries are Essential for Female Entrepreneurs?

As an entrepreneur, it's easy to fall into the trap of putting everyone else's needs before your own. Especially as women, we’re so used to giving our all to take care of our friends, families, clients, etc… However, constantly giving your time and energy to others can quickly lead to burnout, stress, and even health problems. That's why setting boundaries is crucial. Here are some other reasons to start being more firm with your boundaries:

Protects your time and energy: Setting boundaries allows you to protect your time and energy. You can prioritize the things that are most important to you and your business, and say no to requests that don't align with your priorities. Saying no to these requests helps keep your free time open for what really matters. 

Increases productivity: By setting clear boundaries, you can focus on the tasks that are most important and increase your productivity. You won't waste time on tasks that don't add value to your business or take on clients that don't align with your goals. 

Improves work-life balance: Setting boundaries allows you to balance your work and personal life. You can establish clear work hours and take breaks when needed, allowing you to maintain your energy and focus. You can take time for exercise, meditation, or other self-care practices that will help you to recharge and stay healthy.

Building confidence and setting boundaries go hand in hand for us entrepreneurs. Celebrating your wins, taking risks, and surrounding yourself with supportive people (like in The Vixen Mastermind😉) will help you to build your confidence. At the same time, setting clear boundaries, saying no, and prioritizing your needs will allow you to protect your time and energy. Remember, confidence and boundaries are skills that can be developed and strengthened over time. 

If setting boundaries and saying “no” is uncomfortable for you, join us this Thursday, May 11 @ 11 am CST for our complementary Vixen Virtual Vibe: Bridging the Gap on Setting, Keeping, & Holding Boundaries.