For too long, breadwinner women have been told that they are somehow “less than.” We’ve been conditioned to believe that we need to play down our accomplishments and shy away from taking risks. This is especially true when it comes to our careers. We’ve been taught that it’s not ladylike to be ambitious or outspoken. And we’ve been led to believe that we’re not good enough as we are. This is nonsense. It’s time for breadwinner women to take back our power and own our value. Here are 8 tips for closing the confidence gap:
1. Understand Your Value
In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever to understand your value. Whether you’re looking for a promotion, negotiating a salary, or trying to get a loan, the way you view yourself has a direct impact on your success. A major key to success is knowing your worth and communicating it effectively. That means being able to articulate your skills, accomplishments, and unique selling points in a way that resonates with others. It also means having the confidence to stand up for yourself and ask for what you deserve. Understanding your value is the first step toward achieving your goals. So don’t be afraid to ask yourself, “What do I bring to the table?” The answer could be the key to unlocking your full potential.
2. Believe in Yourself
As a female breadwinner, it’s important to believe in yourself. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s not always easy to do. You need to silence that negative voice in your head and believe that you are capable of great things. That’s not to say that self-doubt won’t creep in from time to time — it will. But if you can find a way to push through those moments and stay focused on your goals, you’ll be able to achieve what you set your mind to.
3. Take Risks
It’s no secret that women are far more likely than men to experience impostor syndrome — the feeling that you’re not good enough or qualified for your current role. The good news is that there are ways to combat impostor syndrome and close the confidence gap. The first step is to be willing to put yourself out there. This means taking chances and embracing new opportunities, even if they’re outside of your comfort zone. It may be scary at first, but nine times out of ten, it’ll be worth it, especially for female breadwinners who are often underrepresented in their field.
4. Be Resilient
As the primary breadwinner, you might feel like you have to be perfect all the time in order to keep everything afloat. But here’s the thing: no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is how you handle those mistakes. When you’re resilient, you learn from them and keep moving forward. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being able to pick yourself up after setbacks and failures.
5. Be Positive
Anyone who has ever tried to maintain a positive outlook knows that it’s not always easy. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and even the most optimistic person can find themselves feeling down from time to time. However, as a breadwinner woman, it’s important to focus on the silver lining. After all, when you’re responsible for supporting yourself and your family, there’s little room for negativity. Instead, try to look for the positive aspects of your situation. Maybe you’re working hard to provide for your loved ones, or perhaps you’re taking steps to further your career. Whatever the case may be, reminding yourself of the good can help you stay motivated and keep that forward momentum.
6. Practice Self-Care
Being a female breadwinner is no easy feat. Not only are you responsible for bringing home the bacon, but you also have to cook it, set the table, and do the dishes afterwards. It can be easy to get so caught up in the daily grind that you forget to take care of yourself. But if you want to keep up the good work, it’s important to practice self-care. This means taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. When you make your wellbeing a priority, you’ll have the energy and focus you need to achieve your goals. So go ahead and treat yourself to a massage, take a hot bath, or just take a few minutes to meditate. You deserve it!
7. Set Boundaries
It’s no secret that the modern workplace can be a pressure cooker. With the ever-growing expectation to do more with less, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly being tested. But it’s important to know your limits and stick to them. Don’t let others take advantage of you or push you beyond your limits. Not only will this help you avoid burnout, but it will also set a precedent for healthy boundaries in your professional relationships.
8. Give Back
As the old saying goes, “when you help someone up a ladder, you help yourself up too.” As a breadwinner woman, it’s important to remember that you didn’t get to where you are alone. Now it’s your turn to pay it forward. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this. You can mentor other women in your field, offer advice and support, or even just be a listening ear when someone needs it. By helping other women succeed, you’re not only impacting their lives, but your entire industry.
Gain Confidence with WealthChoice
At WealthChoice, we understand the career and financial challenges executive and professional women face. We specialize in helping women just like you: Female executives and professional women who are succeeding in the workplace and need a financial strategy that works just as hard. If you feel you would benefit from having a financial partner in your corner who truly gets it, please reach out to our team. We’d love to help you unlock your financial confidence.
