I see a lot of discussion amongst entrepreneurial women, of dealing with impostor syndrome and challenging fears.
Whether it be fear of visibility, wondering what friends and family will think, fear of failure…even fear of success.
I have written in the past that I sometimes think it’s (at least in part) due to the societal pressures of modesty women are expected to uphold.
Originally posted to our private facebook group, Connect! for Entrepreneurial Women. For online marketing tips, connection to entrepreneurial women around the world, and inspiration just like this, be sure to join us here.
As women, we are taught from an early age to be modest. We are expected to downplay and not “brag” about ourselves or our accomplishments too much. We are told people will find it somehow offensive or distasteful. So, we learn to clam up.
As adult women running businesses, we tend to carry those beliefs forward into our professional lives.
Sadly, when our time comes to shine, we shy away from opportunities to take the spotlight, even though stepping into it would help our businesses grow.
by: Gina Bello
Last year I received a gift. It was this great little book and let’s just say that I love books; I am an avid reader. Compact sized, easily held in one hand and a deliciously quick read entitled Very Good Lives by J.K. Rowling. Although I have not read the wildly famous Harry Potter books, I have watched and enjoyed every movie ever made in that series (many of them a few times over). Talk about imagination!
Ms. Rowling’s theme for this book is centered on her commencement address to the 2008 graduates of Harvard University. In contemplating words of wisdom she wished to impress upon these young and ambitious students of life, in this enlightening account she shares beliefs regarding the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination.
Regarding her belief in the benefits of failure, she describes her own life’s experiences having failed miserably roughly 7 years upon graduating from her own University. She recounts how her marriage came to end; she was jobless and a single parent living very poorly. Her parents’ worst nightmare had come to pass.
As you may know, we’ve been asking our readers to send in their inspiring entrepreneurial stories lately, and we are thrilled to say the posts are rolling in! We hope you enjoy reading about each woman’s journey on her path to success, and feel motivated to share yours as well.
We, as women, tend to downplay our accomplishments or disregard the importance of sharing our stories with others, but that is precisely why sharing is so valuable. It encourages others to do the same. It empowers people who may be where you once were, feeling like they’re the only one. It inspires and truly humanizes the sometimes wild ride we’re all on as we work our way upward.
If you are interested in telling our readers about your Inspiring story, you can read more about how to get started here.
We would like to thank the lovely Sheila Hill for being the first woman in our series! Read on for her inspiring story!
I am incredibly excited to launch this first video in this tip-filled self care series I recently co-created with the fabulously talented Life Coach Elvira Hopper of ElviraHopper.com!
I met Elvira a few years back at a networking event and knew at some point I would love to work with her. I am not one to normally use the term “effervescent” when describing people, but I will make the exception for Elvira, as she truly is what she claims to be: a woman living on a HIGH vibration. It’s impossible not to feel a wave of positive energy when in her presence and it has been an absolute honour working on this series with her!
