As a female business owner, it's essential to have confidence and self-esteem in order to make smart decisions, take risks, and ultimately succeed. But let's be real, sometimes our self-esteem can take a hit, whether it's from a negative comment, a setback, or just the daily stress of running a business. So, let's talk about 13 ways to give your self-esteem a boost and get back to feeling like a boss!
Start your day with positive affirmations
I know, I know, it sounds cheesy, but it works. Look in the mirror and say something positive about yourself. It can be as simple as "I am capable and deserving of success." Jay Shetty has said “Your words and thoughts are so powerful that they will create or destroy your life." This quote highlights the importance of starting your day with positive affirmations. When we wake up, we have a fresh start to our day, and our thoughts and words can set the tone for the rest of it. By focusing on positive affirmations, we can create a more optimistic and productive mindset, which can lead to greater success in both our personal and professional lives. So take a cue from this award-winning author and start your day with positive affirmations to give your self-esteem a boost and set yourself up for success.
Surround yourself with positive people
Negative energy is contagious, so make sure the people you spend time with are uplifting and supportive. The more you surround yourself with negative people or expose yourself to negative situations, the more likely you are to adopt that negativity as your own. However, positivity can also be contagious, and it's important for positive people to counteract the negativity around them. By staying positive, you can inspire those around you to do the same. Focusing on solutions rather than problems, expressing gratitude, and practicing self-care can all contribute to a more positive outlook. Remember that positivity is a choice, and by choosing to stay positive, you can create a ripple effect of positivity that can make a big difference in the world around you.
Set achievable goals
When you set a goal and achieve it, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and boosts your confidence. But be sure to make your goals realistic and attainable, so you don't set yourself up for failure. Setting achievable goals is crucial for building and maintaining self-esteem. When we set unrealistic goals, we set ourselves up for failure, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. On the other hand, setting achievable goals allows us to experience success and a sense of accomplishment, which can boost our confidence and self-esteem. It's important to set goals that are challenging enough to motivate us but also within our reach. By doing so, we can create a positive cycle of achievement and self-belief, which can have a significant impact on our overall well-being and success in both personal and professional pursuits.
Learn to accept compliments
As women, we often downplay or reject compliments, but learning to accept them can go a long way in boosting our self-esteem. Let’s harken back to everyone’s favorite TV show, Friends, when Monica is given a compliment about her hosting skills. She responds by saying, "Oh, you don't have to say that," and then proceeds to list all the things that went wrong. It can be easy to fall into the trap of deflecting compliments and downplaying our accomplishments, but it's important to remember the power of being able to smile and say thank you. Accepting compliments with grace not only boosts our own self-esteem but can also inspire others to do the same. So next time someone tells you that you did a great job, say thank you and take pride in your accomplishments.
Practice self-care
Taking care of yourself both physically and mentally is key to feeling good about yourself. Make time for exercise, get enough sleep, and do things that bring you joy and relaxation.
Self-care is an essential aspect of maintaining good mental and physical health. Engaging in self-care means taking time out of your busy schedule to do things that promote relaxation, reduce stress, and boost your overall well-being. This can include activities like taking a hot bath, reading a book, practicing yoga or meditation, going for a walk in nature, or even just taking a nap. It's important to prioritize self-care activities and make time for them regularly, rather than waiting until you feel overwhelmed or burned out. By making self-care a part of your routine, you can prevent stress and burnout, increase your productivity, and improve your overall quality of life.
Dress for success
When you look good, you feel good. Put on an outfit that makes you feel confident and powerful, and see how it affects your mood and mindset. It's no secret that the clothes we wear can affect how we feel. When we dress in clothes that make us feel confident and put together, it's easier to tackle the day with a positive attitude. As a female business owner, taking the time to dress for success can have a significant impact on your mood and confidence. When we put effort into our appearance, we send a message to ourselves and those around us that we take ourselves seriously and are ready to tackle whatever comes our way.
Think about a time when you put on an outfit that made you feel amazing. Perhaps it was a power suit, a colorful blouse, or a pair of killer heels. How did you feel when you looked in the mirror? Chances are you felt like you could conquer the world! When we dress for success, we embody the qualities we associate with successful people: confidence, assertiveness, and competence. So next time you're struggling with your self-esteem, take a few extra minutes to put together an outfit that makes you feel amazing. It might be just the boost you need to tackle the day with confidence and positivity.
Take on challenges
Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take on new challenges. Pushing yourself to try new things and learn new skills can be a huge confidence booster. When we challenge ourselves, we push beyond our comfort zone and expand our limits. This can help us gain confidence and feel a sense of accomplishment. When we achieve something that we initially thought was impossible, it can give us a sense of pride and self-worth.
Moreover, taking on new challenges can help us develop new skills and knowledge. This not only enhances our abilities but also broadens our perspectives. It allows us to see things from different angles and approach problems with a new mindset. In turn, this can lead to better problem-solving skills and improved decision-making abilities.
Stop comparing yourself to others
It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, but remember that everyone has their own journey and path to success. Focus on your own progress and achievements.
Social media can be a HUGE culprit here. But it's important to remember that everyone has their own journey and struggles: no one is posting their WTF moments on Insta. Comparing ourselves to others (and especially others’ best moments) can lead to feelings of inadequacy and can even hinder our own progress. Instead, focus on your own goals and progress.
Celebrate your own accomplishments and recognize that everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Remember, the only person you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were yesterday.
Practice gratitude
Take time each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for in your life. Focusing on the positive can help shift your mindset and boost your overall sense of well-being.
One way to practice gratitude is to make it a habit to focus on the things we are grateful for each day. This could include writing down three things we are grateful for every morning or night, or simply taking a moment during the day to reflect on the things we appreciate in our lives. Another way to practice gratitude is to express it to others. This could involve thanking a friend or family member for something they've done for us, or simply letting someone know that we appreciate them. By actively practicing gratitude, we can shift our focus to the positive aspects of our lives, and cultivate a more positive and grateful outlook.
Help others
Helping others not only makes you feel good about yourself, but it can also boost your self-esteem. Whether it's volunteering, mentoring, or simply being a good listener, making a positive impact on others can be empowering.
A study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who engage in acts of kindness towards others on a regular basis experience increased levels of happiness and overall life satisfaction. Additionally, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that participants who provided emotional support to others had lower levels of stress hormones and reported feeling more positive emotions than those who did not engage in such behavior. These findings suggest that by focusing on the needs of others and engaging in acts of kindness, we can improve our own well-being and happiness levels. Therefore, practicing kindness and helping others can not only benefit those around us, but it can also have a positive impact on our own lives.
Celebrate your accomplishments
Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Whether it's treating yourself to a nice dinner or simply taking a moment to appreciate your hard work, celebrate yourself!
One way to celebrate our accomplishments is to keep a record of them. This can be as simple as keeping a journal where we write down our achievements and the steps we took to get there. This can be a helpful tool to look back on when we need a boost of motivation or a reminder of how far we've come. Another way to celebrate our accomplishments is to share them with others. This can be done through social media, or by simply telling friends and family about our successes. Sharing our accomplishments not only allows us to bask in the glow of our own achievements, but it can also inspire and motivate others. Finally, celebrating our accomplishments can involve treating ourselves in some way. This could be buying ourselves something we've been wanting, or simply taking a break to do something we enjoy. Whatever the form of celebration, taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate our own accomplishments can have a powerful impact on our happiness and well-being.
Embrace your uniqueness
Your individuality is what makes you stand out from the crowd. Embrace your quirks, talents, and personality traits that make you who you are.
One of the first steps here is to identify what makes us unique and different from others. It can be a particular talent, personality trait, or life experience. Once we have identified those unique qualities, we should celebrate and showcase them. We can do this by exploring our passions and sharing them with others, volunteering in areas we are passionate about, and being unapologetically ourselves in all situations. Additionally, we can take time to appreciate our own journey and not compare it to others. Remember, everyone's journey is unique, and it's important to embrace our own path and be proud of it.
mistakes are part of the journey
We all make mistakes, but it's how we learn and grow from them that matters. Don't let setbacks or failures define you; use them as opportunities to learn and improve.
Instead of beating ourselves up over mistakes, we can choose to see them as valuable learning opportunities that can help us grow and improve. One way to do this is by reflecting on what we can learn from each mistake, and using that knowledge to make better decisions in the future. We can also remind ourselves that everyone makes mistakes, and that they do not define us as individuals. By embracing our mistakes and using them as stepping stones towards our goals, we can cultivate a positive and empowering mindset that will help us succeed in both our personal and professional lives.
So there you have it, 13 ways to boost your self-esteem and get back to feeling like a boss. As you navigate the ups and downs of being a female business owner, remember to prioritize your own well-being and self-confidence. And in the words of the great Maya Angelou, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." So go out there and make yourself feel like a boss!