The Secret to Success? SELF BELIEF!

 I genuinely believe that it doesn't matter how many business books you read, or courses you go on. If you don't believe in yourself or what you're selling, then you're going to find it difficult to grow. 

 Lack of self-belief could be why you're

• not putting yourself forward for opportunities
• not sending DM's to potential leads
• not launching that programme, event, or product
• not saying yes because you don't feel like you have enough experience
• not being clear and sure about what you offer because you're not sure you believe it
• flicking through the job pages on Linked In instead of focussing on growth and creating opportunities

Any of this resonate? How is your self-belief? Is it rock solid? Is it OK? Is it better on some days than others? 

I wasn't always able to stand on the stage like this and I never dreamt I'd be doing it at my own event!

I have done SO much work on my personal self-belief! It's a daily workout infact! And if I miss a day or two of this daily self-belief workout, then it can set me back days or even weeks! 

I thought I'd share my daily workout wit h you, to see if you think it might help you. 

• Daily positive self-talk. Remind yourself that you know what you're doing, that you're good at what you do, that you've worked hard to get here. Pick a phrase (or two) to repeat to yourself. Try it in the shower! Say to yourself - "I am good at what I do" , "I help people with my work" , "I can do this" - whatever resonates with you - but get talking to yourself, about yourself positively.
• Give your brain the evidence it needs! Our brains need evidence to build self-belief. We can give it this in lots of ways - by celebrating our wins at the end of the day. Reflecting on what's going well regularly. Read your positive feedback AGAIN and AGAIN! Don't just file that lovely feedback away to never be seen again. Make sure you have easy access to it. Why not put it on your office wall? Print it out create a collage with it. Use Canva to make some artwork out of it. I like to screen shot lovely comments about the Founder Mums Club or my work and keep them in an album on my phone, so they are easy to find and access and read - especially when I'm feeling a wobble - because reading these comments is more joyful and beneficial than a doom scroll.
• Stop detaching yourself from your past success. As mums we tend to think that anything we achieved before motherhood no longer counts! Like it was some other person. Please stop doing that. You were that person, that person is you, you are still that person and have everything within you to do whatever it was AND MORE. Of course, we change, but we're changing ALL the time. You are now a mother! That doesn't detract from what you are capable of - that doubles what you are capable of! You are MIGHTY! 

I asked our lovely Founder Mums Club members about what they do to build and maintain their own self-belief. Here are some of the wonderful advice they offered:  

Valentina, London Maternity Photographer, @by_valentina
It took time to build it and for me it grew one client at a time through their kind words. If they trusted me, I realised I needed to trust myself too. So I had to remind myself that. Taking self-portraits has also helped, because seeing myself through my own lens reminded me of my strength and capability.

 Kim, Self-Kindness Expert, Mental Load Coach, Founder of Kindness For Success (@kindness.for.success)
As a Founder mum, self-belief is something I have to consciously rebuild most weeks. I’ve learned to stop waiting for external validation and instead focus on being kind to myself through the messy bits, celebrating progress, not perfection. Self-belief for me = daily doses of self-kindness. I can’t believe in myself if I’m busy beating myself up, so I keep my inner critic (Gertrude!) in check and give myself permission to be human 

  Emma, Co-Founder NE Family Law - Solicitors, Mediators, Richmond/Windsor (www.ne-familylaw.co.uk)
Remembering why I made the jump to co-found my own firm is really powerful and motivating in building and maintaining self belief, as is reflecting on how my work helps others and that I’m doing that on my terms and reflecting my values. 
You have to take the small wins and remember that whilst wearing many hats, you won’t excel at them all and it’s all a learning process. Knowing that, and giving it all a go anyway, is very empowering - whilst also  a bit scary!

Kamala, founder of Vivi Coo Jewellery, jewellery to celebrate mamahood (@vivicoojewellery)
Self Belief - When I start doubting myself, I flip the script and ask, “Why can’t I do this?” or “Why wouldn’t it work?”
If I can find real answers to those questions, I know what to focus on, and that’s usually when my self-belief starts to come back.

Kate Hardman, Life and Mindset Coach, @kate.hardman.coaching
Have a "sparkle book" or "your greatest hits album" where you put in all your big (and small) wins, lovely feedback, testimonials, print screens of messages received about your work...and take a look at it in moments of self-doubt. You'll instantly feel better and realise that you've got this!!

Kate Stirling, Human Performance, Mindset + Behaviour Change Expert (@Katestirling_ @clubthrive_)

My approach is to always seek the truth of my thinking and to challenge anything that suggests I’m not capable or able, to also dissipate stress or lack of self belief I am creating or manifesting myself. A deeper part of self belief as we know is self trust, so I also ensure I ask for and gather proof of my capabilities and also times when trusting myself and believing in myself has paid off. Sometimes this has required uncomfortable work like when I first started asking for testimonials! There’s being open to the idea of actually being capable in the first place, screenshotting positive comments, feedbacks and testimonials from clients to prove to myself I am capable and prioritising my health and wellbeing to maintain energy, mood and emotional stability to ride the waves of the challenging moments. Self belief is a muscle to strengthen so self compassion and recognising fear then facing it to strengthening what I think I can do is important - this also requires rest and taking time out to pause if the wobbles get really loud!

Carolina Taylor, Parent and Life Coach, @carolinataylorcoaching
For me, it’s about not comparing myself to others who are doing the same or a similar job. We’re all on different journeys and at different stages in life—and that reflects in our businesses too. It’s about trusting that I’m in the right place, believing in the process, and coming back to the question: why am I doing what I’m doing?

Suzy Stanton, SEO Expert & Copywriter, Wish Freelance Writing @wishwriting1 @wemadeawishadoptionmagazine
I’ve struggled with this a lot this year because I’ve had a lot of fails in terms of selling and because of everything going on outside of work, it’s been hard to believe in what I’m doing at times. When I’ve felt like that things like leaning into my “tribe” and getting a boost there, looking at what’s worked and how far I’ve come, and reading reviews and snippets from clients to show me how I’ve helped them, and probably the most important one, looking after myself better so getting out into the fresh air, drinking lots of water and eating better all help my mindset and belief. My self-belief levels definitely affect how I show up in my business! 

Hazel Martin, Executive & Personal Coach, Hazel Martin Coach
As soon as get up in the morning going out into my garden and using all my senses to tune into nature, then journaling for 30 mins daily a stream of consciousness. This helps surface self limiting beliefs or as I like to call them “hall of monsters” and at the end turn each self limiting belief into a positive affirmation e.g. I am capable, confident and credible. 
I also capture my “hall of champions”, any small wins from the previous day and celebrate the small steps I take daily. Using combination of time in nature, journaling, affirmations and visualisations daily every morning first thing.

Fran Aukland, Website Designer, founder of Sotto Digital, @sotto_digital
When running your own business that element of self doubt is always there…. But to overcome that and build on self belief I look back at all the wins I have had. 

New clients that have happily paid for my services, the reviews I have received and the work that has come in through referrals from happy clients.  It can be hard trying to win new business and not all of it comes off, I remember not to take it personally, it is a business after all!

What are you going to make part of your daily self-belief workout? 

Lots of love

Tracey

xxx