I have been working with women leaders and entrepreneurs since I launched my first coaching company in 2012. That’s a lot of data on what women struggle with (and excel at) when it comes to leadership, mindset, success, career building, entrepreneurship, and balancing their personal and professional lives. Not to mention my own experiences as a woman entrepreneur and leader. And because of that there are a few things I know to be true about women leaders and entrepreneurs from working with clients for nearly a decade and a half.

1. The "Hustle Culture” will absolutely burn you out and force you to give up on your career or your dream business. This is toxic thinking that men often tell you it is the only way to win. It's not. There's something better.
2. Trauma doesn't disqualify you, it prepares you. I've seen women survive things that would have folded most men, and come back stronger and more resilient. Including myself! You don't get a complex PTSD diagnosis and Central Sensitization Syndrome for nothing. Experiencing past trauma is not a weakness. So, stop trying to bury it; heal from it and use it to build better boundaries, deeper empathy, and resilient leadership skills.
3. Chronic illness isn't a failure. It’s the ultimate filter. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, flare ups, and daily pain that would bring most people to their knees. I create systems and work within my usable hours, because I don't have the luxury of wasting time on busy work. Neither do most of the women I work with. It's almost rare to work with a woman who doesn't have a chronic health issue. 
4. If your business model requires you to sacrifice your health or family to scale, your business model is broken.
5. Feminine leadership is not "soft." It is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. Intuition, vulnerability, and radical self-awareness, and advocacy are what separate the leaders who burn their life to the ground from the leaders who build legacies.
6. Motherhood isn't a side hustle. It’s the most brutal leadership training ground on the planet. If you have kids with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or mental health challenges, like I do, you are more resilient than you give yourself credit for. If you can navigate a health flare-up, a sick kid, and a P&L statement simultaneously, you’re already out leading everyone else. Promise.
7. Women must become their own biggest encouragers and cheer leaders. The support we crave from family and friends doesn’t last long (if at all) and before you know it the cheering section is gone and it’s just you, your motivation to succeed, and your dreams. And that’s ok. No one cares about your success as much as you do. So, clap loud and encourage yourself cuz you’re really going to need it.

For 14 years I’ve been case studying women leaders and entrepreneurs. I have found patterns in the data of how we think, feel, and operate in the world. And these are just a few things I know to be true about us. What would you add to the list?

With grace & grit,
~Coach Raychel

Pssstttt... one more thing before you go...

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