The journey of starting (and running) a business is rewarding, but can be a bit of a rollercoaster! It can require a leap of faith to kick things off, as it can be so easy to talk yourself OUT of starting anything. What if it fails, what if it’s too hard, what if it doesn’t work out? But in times like these, you need to switch up your mindset.

I adopted the philosophy that failure is not an option pretty early on in my Tan in the City journey and it has carried me through.  I’m known (and not even a fan of it myself sometimes!) for taking risks and embracing opportunities and once I have done that.. well then I’m not allowed to fail!  So on I press, on I believe, on I persevere… and here we are 11+ years later!

Here are some things I have learned on my business journey, through both trial and error and from meeting some amazing, empowering women on the way. I hope that these might help you unleash your inner badass on whatever path you are on!

Is there something that makes your heart sing?  What do you love to do when you have some free time?  If there is something you have been daydreaming about, now is the time to make a plan on how to turn the dream into a reality. Whether you have a business idea, or there is just something you’ve been thinking of trying but haven’t made the leap – this is your sign.
We all have unique qualities, and different things that make us tick. Finding your passion (and remember, you don’t only need to have ONE, you can have many!) is power, as this is where you will find your drive, motivation and happiness too. Life is too short to have your days endlessly filled up with unfulfilling tasks – sprinkle as much joy into your life as you can and embrace those moments that truly satisfy your soul. That’s where the magic is!

Give yourself a break and drop the stifling pressure of perfection.  Sometimes we get so stuck on trying to make everything perfect (even the small and relatively insignificant details) that we get in the way of actually doin’-the-damn-thing!  Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t be putting in the effort, but what’s the point of getting bogged down in all the tiny things if you then never get around to doing the big an important tasks!? Sometimes you just need to bite the bullet and launch your website (for example) as it is, just to get it out into the world, rather than never launching it as you are too tied up on getting the layout perfect right from the start. You can always tweak things in the future, but the important thing is to be getting momentum and progress to keep you on track and moving forwards. So if you are someone who gets swamped down in the details with needing everything to be perfect before you can proceed, say it with me, ‘progress over perfection!’

Be open and willing to give things a go, and be prepared to make mistakes (because trust me, we all do!). The key is to have a growth mindset where you can learn from every mistake, opportunity, set back, and success that comes your way. We are forever growing and changing as humans, so take notice of your thoughts and actions when there are bumps in the road and then consciously consider how you want to deal with these thoughts. Think of the person you want to be, and try to imagine how that person would think and act. Its all about growing and bettering ourselves so that you keep moving, one step at a time, in the direction you want to go (and grow!). The more you stretch your growth mindset, the easier it will become to shake off the negative and move forward with passion, drive and self-confidence.

We have all heard of the saying ‘fake it til ya make it’, right?! This statement rings true and the more people you speak to, the more you’ll realise that everyone is winging it to some degree, especially in the beginning.  Sometimes you need to take a deep breath and just DO IT. Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing – your brain will try to trick you and fill your head with doubt to make you feel like a fraud. But you can override this by filling your brain with ‘evidence’ that you actually can (and do!) do all the badass things. Stop dimming your own light. Start with making a list of all of your accomplishments, skills, and positive feedback you’ve received from others.  This can help you gain perspective and boost your confidence, and might be just what you need to kick that pesky Imposter Syndrome to the curb!

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Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but it is also where the magic happens.  Believe in yourself, give things a go and keep working towards those goals. I want every woman to feel empowered and unstoppable, and I will be here cheering you on all the way!

Come and get some confidence applied directly to your skin by one of the amazing teams in Auckland (Remuera and Ponsonby) or Christchurch.