For many women, the decision to embark on the entrepreneurial journey stems from a deep desire for freedom. In a recent discussion amongst a group of women that I was part of, the outcome of the conversation showed that in one way or another, freedom has been the primary motivation and driving force behind our businesses. Why is freedom such a force that sets us on the entrepreneurial route? Why is freedom such a force that sets us on the entrepreneurial route? Because despite the uncertainty and unknown challenges there is a light at the end of the tunnel: Freedom to Be Your Own Boss : Freedom to Be Your Own Boss : The autonomy and independence is undeniably one of the biggest benefits for business owners. There’s a certain empowerment that comes with being your own boss, making decisions that align with your passions and values, and that resonate with your soul. There is also something about not being in conventional employment that I find so many entrepreneurs and creative women choose to follow, even if that means embracing the unknown, regularly stepping outside the boundaries of comfort, and daring to walk your own path amidst the uncertainties of the entrepreneurial journey or appealing solutions of a secure job. Freedom to Work When and Where You Like : Freedom to Work When and Where You Like : Gone are the days of a traditional office space even if you are employed but the freedom comes when you can work fully on our own terms, whether it’s from the comfort of our home, studio or buzzing local café, Depending on your type of business your needs or preferences there is always space for creativity. Whether it’s typing away on our laptops alongside other fellow solopreneurs, and those casually sipping their cup of coffee, or enjoying a big screen and a good chair in your home office or studio, having everything you need by your hand. Freedom to Prioritize Family : Freedom to Prioritize Family : Family holds a special place in the hearts of most women entrepreneurs. Whether it’s the joy of spending quality time with children or the ability to be there for aging parents, not only when they are in need, but whenever you choose. “Living overseas from my parents and family, with me based in the UK and my family residing in mainland Europe, the flexibility to travel and spend time with my mom, dad, sister, niece, and our extended family has been a big motivation. For me, freedom is very much about having freedom of choice, so that I can live in alignment with my personal values and professional aspirations” Veronika Sucha, Women’s Business Coach, Article author Navigating the challenges of freedom Navigating the challenges of freedom Amidst the pursuit of freedom lies a paradoxical challenge: freedom itself! 🤔 How to Navigate Autonomy : The absence of a boss to provide us guidance and direction can be daunting and it requires a high level of self-discipline, decision-making powers, and accountability. Women entrepreneurs often struggle with navigating through the sea of ideas and opportunities without having a clear road map and can end up overwhelmed. Our self-doubts often get in the way of making critical decisions confidently, we have a tendency to second-guess ourselves and delay without the safety net of external confirmation and approval. 🤔 Striking a Balance : Achieving harmony between work and personal life is an ongoing balancing act or play between the main characters of ambition, responsibility, self-care, and passion. And you may have yours to add. “I’ve really struggled with self-worth while running my own business. It’s hard at home on your own always second-guessing yourself, but the more you continue and get great feedback from clients it’s enough to have faith that you are all that is needed. Putting yourself first has been a huge learning curve for me too, but prioritizing my own health and wellbeing is reflected in my children and my business, If I stop – it all s tops .” Emma Peries, Social Media Marketing, Digital Mother Emma Peries Amidst all the commonly talked sexy elements of a business journey, lies one hidden gem, a critical element: structure. You can imagine structure as the backbone to your business, the system that holds it all together and allows everything else to be attached to it. Structure is often what women business owners lack and what hugely impacts our day-to-day and, the ability to scale. Without structure, the day-to-day can overwhelm even the most passionate and visionary of entrepreneurs. It is the compass that keeps us on course, the anchor that grounds us on the way. IMAGE – Veronika For entrepreneurs, structure isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity for success and scaling business. Structure empowers us to shape our business with intention, elevates productivity without wasting resources on ‘band-aiding’ (we need the backbone first), and frees up our time to focus on new strategic initiatives, or just simply live more. Confronting the paradoxes of freedom and structure Confronting the paradoxes of freedom and structure As you ponder on the paradoxes of freedom and structure, know that you’re not alone! Celebrate your successes to date and ask for support when you need it. Start with a simple structure: Download your Life & Business Success map – a free practical guide to clarify your core values and next business goals and help you start moving towards them. Veronika Sucha: For the past 5 years, I have been helping women entrepreneurs, or in demanding careers, to overcome overwhelm and burnout and help them from constant overworking into more balance, ease, and flow in how they run their business/career. I work with individual entrepreneurs, as well as organizations.
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