Seven ways to thrive as a female entrepreneur

IN celebration of Women’s Month, international award-winning business coaches, Deborah Coskey and Natasha Swartz of ActionCOACH Ignite, shared seven tips to help women excel in the field of entrepreneurship.

Inner belief
Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely journey and this can be compounded when you’re trying to be a superhero for your home and family.
You need to ensure you are your biggest supporter. While the doubts will always creep in, it’s important to dig deep to find your inner belief and then remind yourself of that belief regularly.
Entrepreneurship is something anyone can do and entails a multitude of skills that anyone can learn.

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Vision
Entrepreneurship is challenging with many setbacks, but it does have an equal amount of opportunity and more than its fair share of fantastic moments.
The vision you have for your business, how it can serve the world and most importantly, how it can drive your dreams and goals, is critical in pulling you through the lows and pushing you to the ultimate highs.
Ride the roller-coaster knowing why you’re doing this and what you’re chasing.

Lean on your inner circle
While entrepreneurship can at times be a lonely journey, remember that there are many people in your corner – people who have your best interests at heart.
Write down who is in your inner circle, whether it’s your romantic partner, your parents, friends, suppliers, a customer or two, or perhaps even your bank manager.
Ask yourself who has your back and is willing you towards success.
When you actually see it written down you’re much more inclined to believe it. Lean on that inner circle. You’ll face times when you’re going to need their support and guidance.

Learn to say no
Investment guru Warren Buffet notably said: ‘The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.’
Don’t be the woman that says yes to everything and to everyone. Every time you say ‘yes’ to something or someone, you’re effectively saying ‘no’ to something or someone else.
Sadly, many of those times while saying ‘yes’ to everyone else, you’re actually saying ‘no’ to yourself, your priorities and your boundaries.
As an entrepreneur, you are the most important person in your business and therefore you need to ‘put the oxygen mask on yourself first’.
Know your priorities and learn to say ‘no’ to everything else.

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Recharge
It’s important to remember that even Wonder Woman needs to rest and recharge.
While you’re giving everything for your business, your family and your community, don’t forget that you are an integral part of that complex web.
You cannot give from your ‘bucket’ what you do not have. Take a minimum of one hour per week that is purely yours.
Use it for a hobby, just to relax alone on the couch, make a call to a long lost friend or whatever gives you energy.
Make time to recharge your batteries and prioritise it weekly.

Ask for help
Why is it that women are so willing to give help, yet so reluctant to ask for it?
More than leaning on your inner circle, you will sometimes have to ask for help. If you need help, ask – people are often surprisingly open and willing to assist.

Banish guilt
As a woman entrepreneur (and especially as a mom) you might often find yourself on a guilt treadmill, a never-ending pursuit for peace and happiness that seems to elude you.
When you’re at work you feel guilty for neglecting your family, and when you’re at home you feel guilty about not doing enough in the business.

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