How to develop a CEO mindset
Even if you don’t consider yourself a CEO there’s no reason you can’t or shouldn’t develop a CEO mindset. As women in business we often have a tendency to downplay our efforts and achievements. Perhaps you’re guilty of saying, ‘I’m just doing this on the side’ or ‘it’s nothing really’ about your business.
The mistake here is doing what women’s development coach Tara Mohr calls ‘playing small’. When we cultivate a mindset in which our business is no big deal or in which we aren’t a leader, a boss or the head of the work we do, we fail to acknowledge and use our own power to its fullest potential.
Referring to yourself as a CEO, not only of your business but also of your life in general, changes your mindset. It’s a powerful title that establishes a responsibility to ‘play big’, to think like a boss and to act like one too.
What is a CEO mindset?
A CEO mindset is a way of thinking that acknowledges your role as a business leader, and therefore, as someone important – someone vitally responsible for the health and success of your business.
With this importance comes a sense of duty, the need to think professionally, strategically and fairly about yourself, your work and those around you. It’s the mindset necessary to steer your ship safely.
Thinking in this way and mentally positioning yourself as a leader, a person of vital importance and someone who has the skills and experience to have earned the title of CEO will ultimately help you to feel more capable and run a more successful business.
Imposter syndrome, self doubt and playing small can often get in the way of women achieving financial freedom and financial wellbeing. Even if we’re at the top of our game, running a business can be a huge challenge if we’re not in the right frame of mind.
How to develop a CEO mindset
It’s hard to take ourselves seriously, to see ourselves as bosses and leaders, when we’re often our own harshest critics. But a combination of small actions can help with recognising yourself as head of your business, and your life, and help get you into the CEO mindset.
To begin with, something small like opening a business bank account, getting business cards made up or an allocating an area at home that’s a permanent ‘office space’ can help you to get into the zone.
Perhaps if freelancing or operating as a Sole Trader is encouraging you to think small, setting up a Limited Company can help with developing a CEO mindset. Becoming the Director of your own company carries a weight with it that feels more official.
