Powerful Womens Advice on How to Take More Risks - The Muse

Powerful Womens Advice on How to Take More Risks - The MusePowerful Womens Advice on How to Take More Risks Early on in my advertising career, I welches considering taking a marketing role at a major food brand. But, as I scanned the lengthy list of requirements in the job description, I thought to myself, I dont check off all these boxes. Feeling somewhat defeated, I closed the posting and didnt think much about it- until recently.At Cannes Lions a couple of months ago, one of the speakers on a panel, advertising legend Charlotte Beers, shared the troublesome statistic that women need to feel that we meet 100% of a jobs qualifications before we apply. Men, however, only need to feel 60% qualified before hitting send.In other words, women are less willing to take risks on themselves.My experience job hunting, as well as my work as the President of Berlin Cameron, a creative and experiential agency, got me thinking about the psychology behind this phenomenon. In the past couple of yea rs, Ive had the opportunity to work with and get inspired by a number of female entrepreneurs. Ive also served on the motherboard of empowering organizations like Girl Up, and have started a division at Berlin Cameron called Girl Brands Do It Better to advance female founders. And even with many of those Ive met and worked with, how to take that first risky step has crept into conversations, and I wondered why. I wanted to explore what sort of advice, or change in mindset, might help women to embrace their risk-taking side. So, I set out to discover what it takes to make that leap and dare to begin. I talked to experts, career coaches, and brilliant women whove launched companies across industries to find out how to get inspired and ignite new ideas. Heres what I learned1. Believe in Your VisionMentally investing in your own future is key.When people are stuck, it means that they are leid connected enough to the end vision. If you think about a goal to run a marathon, the more conne cted you feel to that end vision, the more motivated youre going to be, executive coach Suzannah Scully, whos worked with companies like Apple, Sephora, and Airbnb, told me. She added, If you have some limiting beliefs in your mind as to why this wouldnt work out, explore those beliefs and figure out why you think its not going to work. I love the expression that a belief is just a thought youve had over and over again. It doesnt mean that its true.2. Think SmallAny time youre about to make a big leap, whether its putting together a deck to secure funding or working on an important pitch, the end result can be overwhelming. Setting small, easily achievable goals is one way to jump-start yourself. Lisa Sun of the functional fashion line Gravitas agrees Set a goal every two weeks, even if its small things like opening a bank account for your business. After 10 weeks, youll be able to look back and have accomplished a lot.3. Check Perfection at the DoorAnytime youre starting something new, the pursuit of perfection can be paralyzing. Choose action over perfection, says 100 Days Without Fear founder Michelle Poler, who speaks all over the world about overcoming fear. Women are perfectionists, and we have to let go of that desire to be perfect. Were too afraid to fail ourselves- but when we dont even try, we fail ourselves even more.Youre going to have failures, but try to learn from them and move on rather than chasing the impossible.4. Find Your PeopleThe importance of building a communitys crucial to opening your mind to take a risk. Surround yourself with others who are doing it- ask for help, dont get stuck in your mind, and research, research, research. Its one thing to have a great idea, its another to do the work, build out a business model, and thoughtfully go for it, says Ashley Sumner, the co-founder of the female-focused co-working space Quilt. Part of this is not being afraid to share your ideas and get feedback from others. Ive never had it come back to haunt me that I shared what I was thinking or previewed an idea with someone, explains Katie Fritts, the founder of the luxury underwear subscription service Underclub. If anything, its held me more accountable to do what I say Im going to do.5. Make Fear Your Personal ForceNo matter what stage youre in in your career, fears going to be omnipresent. But everyone I spoke to agreed that it can be a great motivator.My job has been an exercise in flexing those muscles that I dont usually flex, Evvie Crowley says of the digital lifestyle publication, The Caret, she co-founded and launched this year. I have an entrepreneurial drive, but its underneath a lot of insecurity. The best way for me to get over my paralyzing self-doubt is to keep pushing to make it a viable brand.Dee Poku Spalding, the founder of WIE Network and The Other Festival, added, The first time you take a big leap of faith and it works is an incredible boost to your confidence. That gives you the confidence to do it a gain. After talking with all these women whove overcome the barriers that tend to hold us back, Ive come up with a couple of insights of my own Women are naturally good connectors who embrace community, as well as listen to and support each other. So when it comes to taking risks, were a lot more equipped to do so than we think.