I want to address something that is common in female entrepreneurs. We often don't trust our own wisdom and look to others to find validation.
Why is that?
Why, when we're the ones who birthed our business, do we look to others who can't possibly understand it the way we do, for the answers?
Let's Talk About Imposter Syndrome
A big factor in this issue is imposter syndrome. This happens when we think we aren't good enough or smart enough to win big contracts, to speak on stage, or to write books. And believe me, ya'll, I've suffered my fair share of it.
It happens because we look at others and compare ourselves.
"Gabby Bernstein has millions of followers and I have 147! I'll never be a spiritual leader!"
"I just started this [insert business here]. Who am I to tell people what to do?"
"She's been in this field so much longer than me. I can't possibly compete."
What we fail to see is that we have unique gifts that no one else has. You don't need to be Gabby Bernstein. You need to be yourself. Let your light shine, and others will follow. And hey, they can follow Gabby and you! There's room enough for us all.
Second-Guessing Decisions
When you have a big decision to make, are you slow to make it? Do you change your mind over and over, afraid you've made the wrong decision?
You're far from alone. It can be good to have someone to bounce ideas off of (an intuitive business coach, for example), but own your decisions. No one but you is responsible for them.
It can take a while to get confident in making decisions for your business. Here's something that helps me: nothing is carved in stone. You can always change things.
Agonizing over the design of your website? Publish it and see if it attracts the people you want to attract. If it doesn't, you can tweak the web copy or design in a few months. Can't land on a business name? Sit with it for a few weeks. See how it feels. Write a few paragraphs about what you want the name to express and who you want it to attract.
Ease up on yourself. Go with the flow and just commit to a decision.
Bringing in Intuition
It seems like I can't talk about business these days without the "I" word popping up! Our intuition, or our gut, is what we would do well to listen to instead of all that comparison we do instead.
If we listen to it, it can tell us:
When it's time to walk away from a client relationship that is no longer working
What our next move should be
When to invest time or money in a project
If you operate from the masculine, putting out fires and doing in your business rather than operating from the feminine, which sits back and reflects on the next course of action, it may take some extra effort to slow down and hear that intuition.
I've been doing that a lot lately myself. Staying so mired in my day-to-day work that I didn't slow down, take a breath, and look around. Now that I'm embracing that feminine, I have a clearer idea of what I need to do next.
You can slow down and invite that feminine in by taking small breaks between tasks and connecting with that energy. For me, I might do a few yoga stretches after writing an article or take a meditation break. Get out of the office and go for a walk. Pay attention to the sights and sounds around you, and do your best to not think about work.
The next time you have a decision to make, get away from your desk and sit somewhere quietly. Take a few deep breaths. Tune into what your intuition is telling you. If you listen, you can hear if it's screaming "NOOOO! Don't do that!" or inviting you to explore the question further.