Being a woman is tough. Being in business is tough. Being a businesswoman is super-tough. In my experience, one of the hardest parts about being a business woman is what goes on inside your own head. Women have a tendency to take things more personally than our male counterparts, and especially in our own businesses. Business is personal. If your website isn’t getting enough hits, or your bank account isn’t growing, or a client complains, you take is personally. How can you not? Your business is like a child. It’s a reflection of your values, your reputation, and your own ability.
There’s a close link between how your business is going, and your own wellbeing. I know that when my business is going well, I feel great! If it’s not, I get depressed. I try to separate the two, but my business is part of me.
So what can you do to build your confidence as a business owner?
- Go back to your ‘why’. Why are you doing what you do? It probably includes the big picture of your lifestyle and family, but also something unique to you about your passion and what you’re good at.
- Remember what you do well. Get feedback and testimonials wherever possible, and when you’re down, go back to that positive feedback. Are you creative, a good problem solver, organised, have high emotional intelligence, provide a great service or product? Acknowledge and respect what you’re good at.
- Give yourself credit where it’s due. Write down all your achievements, no matter how small or insignificant they are. At the very least, you have had the guts to put yourself out there and start your own business, probably doing what you love. Do you know how many people want to do that, but don’t?
- Recognise how far you have come, and compare where you are now to last month or last year. What progress have you made? What have you learned? What have you improved?
- Do a skills audit on yourself. Write down all the skills and knowledge that you have gained both as an employee and a business owner. For example, have you created a business plan, a website, or a record keeping system? Do you know how to use MYOB or Excel? Have you learned about marketing, customer service, or organisation? Write it all down, like a performance review or assessment on yourself. If you have identified there’s more you need to learn, go and learn it. But give yourself a gold star for what you do know.
Completing these steps will give you a confidence boost. It will help you to recognise your self-worth, and the contribution you make. Don’t let what’s going on inside your own head stop you!
