by Eve Nasby
You don’t have to be a female veteran to know that Entrepreneurship is a battle. Financial grenades may be lobbed your way as you duck and take cover under an already crumbling bank account. Relationships may be unraveling around you as unreliable employees inadvertently undermine all that you have worked diligently to build.
Stressors of time, resources and failed opportunities add to your already overloaded day. What is the best way to find PEACE as you run towards success in the midst of the battleground?
P – Plan strategically Successful female entrepreneurs thoughtfully plan each day and week to optimize their time and energy. They set clear priorities, goals, and schedules while staying flexible to address the inevitable changes and opportunities. Schedule MITs (most important tasks) – Structure each week and day identifying the 3-5 MUST-do items aligned to current goals. Focus here before getting bogged down putting out fires aimlessly. Batch similar tasks together – Group meetings, email management and focused project blocks together to minimize waste from constantly context switching modes.
E – Engage support community Wise female founders actively engage mentors, mastermind peer groups and networking ecosystems to gain advice, insight and accountability that helps them progress. They don’t isolate but instead collaborate. Meg Whitman comments on collaboration:
“None of us is as smart as all of us. You have to create teams that debate vigorously but rally around decisions once they are made. Compromise when needed but never compromise on your core principles.”
Determine TODAY to join a peer group or mastermind group and up your game.
A – Act with self-awareness Effective women business leaders act consciously of their strengths, limits and personal energy levels throughout demanding days. They adopt practices to renew mental focus, manage stress and prevent decision fatigue. Tory Burch said, “Think big. Start small. But most of all, start.” Keep it and your expectations of yourself, real.
C – Communicate courageously Successful female entrepreneurs dare to communicate boldly and compassionately with partners, employees and clients even when confronting thorny topics. They speak their needs and vision while listening to guide collaborations. Did you know that people will often judge your character more when they listen to the questions you ask versus the statements you make? Katrina Lake of Stich Fix says, “ Don’t pretend you know all the answers—being able to ask the right questions is just as valuable as knowledge itself.”
