I proudly identify as a “High Performing Female Founder”. The clients I serve are also High Performing Female Founders. That term changes a little as you move from generation to generation. I’m a GenXer who had a different understanding of that term, but now I’ve come to reframe it for myself and my clients. But some people shy away from that term because it puts pressure on them to exceed expectations.
My mother’s generation (Boomer) started bringing home and bacon and frying it up in the pan. We GenXers had Clair Huxtable, Attorney at Law. Alexis Colby, Oil Magnate, Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law, Amanda Woodward, Advertising CEO, and a few other women who influenced us in charting our own career and business journeys. I can’t speak for others, but when I started my own company, I pulled a little influence from all of those women in building my own. And the result was running a business like the guys did. That was how it was and what was done back then when I was starting my company.
Times have changed since those ladies served as TV role models of women in business. They went toe to toe with all comers, especially men, to prove they were just as powerful and smart. They taught us to be strong and take not sh*t in business. But honestly, it’s too much. We shouldn’t have to do business like the men. Today, we’re still powerful in our own right. But there’s been a pivot towards moving to a softer kind of power. I believe we can still have great power, but we don’t have to be as blatant and masculine about it as the women before us. We have an advantage they did not have. We no longer have to do like the boys do to be taken seriously.
Admittedly for myself, I had to learn how to have quiet power, and it took a while. For years I went just as hard as the fellas did. Mostly because I was a triple threat- Black/Puerto Rican, a Woman and Young. So I turned it all the way up because I has to prove myself. I know the feminists will probably yell at me for saying this but I no longer have to prove anything and I can still walk in my power. I had to go through years of deprogramming and relearning how to do business. It took a serious mindset shift.
I’m not advocating to be a push over. I’m suggesting that we don’t have to be as loud to exude power. We just as smart, just as competitive, and just as successful as our male counterparts. We just don’t have to play their game. For women like me, it took battling a mindset that was toxic AF. Now I feel like I’ve been through enough that I can impart some insight to the women coming up in business behind me. I’m going to share a few powerful strategies to overcome mental blocks, develop an unstoppable mindset, and set the stage for your business growth. So buckle up, ladies! There’s work to be done.
Embrace the Power of Positive Thinking.
Undoubtedly your thoughts shape your reality. As a woman thinks, so is she. It’s important to eliminate all negative self-talk. We all experience it. I know I have. But you have to replace those engative thoughts with positive thoughts and affirmations. There is power in “I am” statements. Repeat phrases like “I am capable,” “I am resourceful,” and “I am a confident leader” every day. Let your positive thoughts become a daily habit. Take a moment and consider some “I am” affirmations of your own.
Embrace Failure as Fuel for Growth.
Listen, I can write an entire book on the failures I’ve had! While they don’t always feel good, I have learned to turn them into lessons on what not to do. In entrepreneurship, failure is often a stepping stone towards success. Sometimes we feel like it’s an endless serious of missteps, but they are actually designed to strengthen resolve and build those mental muscles. Instead of fearing failure, be open to embracing it as a valuable learning opportunity. Don’t take them personal because if you do, you’re remain stagnant. Shift your mindset to see challenges and setbacks as the necessary ingredients for true growth. Celebrate your failures, pick out the lessons, and use them as fuel to go to greater heights.
Surround Yourself with a Dream Team.
I know a lot of women who need some mindset work around hiring! Having people around you who can support you and your vision is important. Behind every successful entrepreneur is a supportive and empowering network of people inside and outside of the business. Seek out mentors, accountability partners, and like-minded entrepreneurs who uplift and inspire you. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision and share your passion for success. These are the people who will hold you accountable and keep you on track to meeting your goals. They’ll also keep you from doubt and imposter syndrome.
Embrace Self-Care as a Power Move.
As a high-performing female founder, it’s essential to prioritize self-care to fuel your success. Because we tend to take on the weight of the world and then some, we let ourselves fall into last place while caring for everyone else. We’re groomed to believe that we have to give selflessly of ourselves at all times. No, you have to look out for you. Self-care is not selfish; it’s actually a power move! Set boundaries and be unapologetic. Take time for rejuvenation, and prioritize activities that recharge your energy and creativity. By taking care of yourself, you’ll show up as the best version of yourself.
Assume a Growth Mindset.
Challenges shouldn’t been seen as failures. Train your mind to see them as opportunities for growth and expansion. Embrace a belief in your ability to learn and improve in any situation, allowing you to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Tap into that entrepreneurial spirit that thrives on innovation, constantly seeking new ways to evolve and excel. Nothing ever happens in the comfort zone. Challenge yourself to take risks to get your business and yourself where you envision you can be. There is no such thing as thinking too big. Every situation leads you on the path to further evolution.
Celebrate Your Wins and Visualize Success.
Acknowledging your accomplishments and celebrating milestones along the way is important. Self-acknowledgement can elevate your mindset and give you the confidence to keep pushing. Take a moment to savor your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Visualization is a powerful tool in manifesting success. See yourself achieving your business goals, feel the excitement, and let the vision of your success drive you forward.
Embrace the Journey, Enjoy the Ride.
Entrepreneurship has a lot of ups, downs, and unexpected turns. At any given moment you have to be ready to pivot. Setting your mind to understand that will go a long way to minimize imposter syndrome and fear. Listen, I know it can be scary and even overwhelming, but embrace the adventure, celebrate the small victories, and learn to appreciate the journey itself. Live in each moment every single day. Embracing this mindset shift will equip you to overcome obstacles and stay focused on the bigger picture.
Ladies, we’re building companies. Hopefully companies that are set up to be generational. To achieve something of that magnitude of success, it’s important to be in the right frame of mind. Wealth doesn’t build itself and neither do companies. It’s important to have a leader who’s confident in her abilities and are strong enough to direct the course of the company. By embracing positive thinking, viewing failure as a stepping stone, nurturing your network, prioritizing self-care, cultivating a growth mindset, celebrating wins, and enjoying the journey moment to moment, you’ll condition your mindset needed to achieve your goals. Remember, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Now get out there and make some mogul moves and power plays.
Adrienne Graham
CEO|Founder
Mogul Chix®
Connect with me here on Linked In.
©2024 Adrienne Graham and Mogul Chix®. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Adrienne Graham and Mogul Chix® with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.