Decoding Naval: Femmeprenista's Guide to Wealth & Happiness
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Oct 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Decoding Naval for the Femmeprenista: Building Wealth & Happiness Without the Hustle
Hey lovely ladies! Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while balancing on a tightrope, all while trying to build a business empire and raise a family? I see you. I am you. Four kids, a PhD, a business (actually two!), and two miniature pinchers who think they’re guard dogs – trust me, I get the beautiful chaos of being a mum and an entrepreneur. As a mum with my MBA and now working on my PhD, I've definitely had those moments where it feels like I'm trying to present a polished, professional front on a Google Meet call, only to have my toddler daughter wander in, fully engrossed in a conversation with an invisible friend – all while Espresso, our hyperactive Miniature Pinscher, uses my office chair as her personal agility course. Sound familiar? I thought so.
Lately, I've been revisiting Naval Ravikant's "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant," a book packed with wisdom on building wealth & happiness. Now, Naval's world might seem a million miles away from the realities of crafting marketing funnels while simultaneously refereeing a sibling squabble over the last biscuit, but I promise you, there are golden nuggets in there for us Femmeprenistas.
I've been reflecting on how his principles can be applied specifically to the unique challenges & opportunities we face as women, especially as mothers, building online businesses. Because let’s be real, the standard "hustle harder" advice just doesn't cut it when you're also navigating school holidays, toddler tantrums, & the constant mental load of running a household.
So grab a cuppa (or a glass of wine – it’s wine o'clock somewhere!), settle in, & let's decode Naval’s wisdom together, Femmeprenista style.
Specific Knowledge: Your Unique Brilliance in a Crowded World
Naval talks a lot about building specific knowledge – the kind of expertise that's unique to you, can't be easily taught, & is valuable in the marketplace. Think about it: what are you amazing at? What lights you up? What do people constantly ask you for advice on? Honestly, what could you talk about for hours without even pausing for breath?
This resonates so deeply with the Flair (Marketing & Messaging) pillar of our Business Flourish Framework. It’s about crafting a brand that isn’t just pretty, but deeply you. It’s about finding your own unique voice & letting it shine, even if it feels a bit "unhinged" at first. Remember, vanilla content attracts vanilla clients. Spice it up, ladies!
I remember when I was at Apple, working on the launch campaign for a new product (can't go into specifics, NDA & all!), & there was this one team member who was struggling. Everyone else wanted to let him go, but I saw something in him. I felt that way many times myself, especially in that environment. I took the time to get to know him, to understand his strengths, & gave him the autonomy to use them. Guess what? He ended up producing some of the best work on the team. That’s specific knowledge in action! Sometimes the best strategy, even in a corporate setting, is getting to know your team & understanding what makes them tick, then empowering them to use their skills in a way that works for them.
For us, especially as mothers, our specific knowledge often comes from the very things that make our lives "chaotic." We are masters of multitasking, queens of resourcefulness, & experts at navigating complex emotional landscapes. Don’t underestimate the power of your lived experience. It’s your superpower!
Leverage: Working Smarter, Not Harder (Because Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!)
Naval is all about leverage – using tools, systems, & other people's time to multiply your efforts. This speaks directly to our Flow (Momentum & Systems) & Fusion (AI Integration) pillars. It’s about building smart systems, perhaps leveraging smart AI tools to truly streamline your processes, & delegate or ditch what’s not serving you. For a long time, I really struggled with this. I remember trying to manage every aspect of my first business venture (Nisbett & George – oh, the lessons I learned!), from product design to customer service, while also caring for my infant daughter. I felt like I was drowning! I was constantly running on empty, the house was a permanent state of organised chaos, & the quality of my work suffered.
Think about it – how much time do you spend on repetitive tasks that could be automated? How much energy do you waste on things you don’t even enjoy? What if you could get some of that time & energy back? It's not about being replaced; it's about being empowered.
You know, when my school-aged daughter was learning to ride her bike, she struggled for ages. Then, one day at school, she just hopped on a friend's bike & took off! She wasn't pushing herself too hard, it was fun, & she just did it. It wasn't about pushing harder; it was about finding a different approach, a bit of fun, & just doing it. That’s leverage. Sometimes a breakthrough comes from a new perspective.
For us Femmeprenistas, leverage is often about building a supportive community – leaning on each other for advice, encouragement, & even childcare swaps! It's also about embracing technology. Don't be afraid of AI! It's not about being replaced; it's about being empowered.
Femme:Connect Community Page Come join our amazing community for support, resources, & connection!
Judgment: Trusting Your Intuition & Making Bold Decisions
Naval talks about the importance of cultivating good judgment – the ability to make smart decisions based on experience, intuition, & a clear understanding of your values. This really speaks to our core value of Action (Taking Decisive Steps). It’s about trusting yourself enough to take that leap of faith even when it feels terrifying, like doing my MBA at Cranfield University in the UK. I can't tell you how many "what ifs" ran through my mind, especially as a mum. Honestly, before that pivotal taster day, I'd even considered putting my career on hold entirely! But something deep down told me this was the right move. The taster day itself was incredible, it felt "like having a mini explosion in my head."
How many times have you ignored your gut feeling only to regret it later? How often have you played small because you were afraid of what people might think? You know that feeling, right?
When I was deciding whether to pursue my MBA at Cranfield University in the UK, I was terrified. It felt like a huge leap, especially with a little one at home. But I had this gut feeling, this little voice whispering, "This is it, Carlene. This is your path." I listened to that voice, & it changed everything.
This is where our Focus (Mindset) pillar comes in. It considers your whole life – your energy, & the importance of prioritising your well-being, ensuring your business energises rather than drains you. It’s about building the resilience & confidence to trust yourself, even when it feels scary. Because let's be honest, as women, we’re often conditioned to doubt ourselves, to play small, to not rock the boat. But the truth is, we are capable of so much more!
Bringing it All Together: The Femmeprenista Path
So, what does all this Naval wisdom mean for us busy, ambitious mums building or scaling their businesses? It means we can build successful, fulfilling online businesses without sacrificing our families or our well-being. It means we can leverage our unique strengths, work smarter, & trust our intuition to make bold decisions. It means we can create both wealth and genuine work-life harmony. In the words of Jim Rohn, "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day."
Your 3-Step Femmeprenista Action Plan (Inspired by Naval):
Identify Your Superpower: What's your unique specific knowledge? What are you amazing at that others struggle with? This could be anything from crafting compelling sales copy to organizing a multi-generational household (believe me, that’s a skill!). Write it down. Own it.
Find Your Leverage Point: Where are you wasting precious time & energy on tasks that could be automated or delegated? Start small. One AI tool, one virtual assistant, one childcare swap - it all adds up. What’s one small system you could put in place today?
Trust Your Inner Compass: What's one bold decision you’ve been putting off because of fear or self-doubt? This could be raising your prices, launching that new program, or even just saying “no” to something that drains your energy. Commit to making that decision this week.
Launch Programme If you're ready to dive deeper into building a business that truly flourishes, & get the support & strategies you need to launch confidently & secure your first paying clients, join our Launch Program. It’s designed specifically for ambitious women who are ready to take action.
What’s one way you can identify & leverage your specific knowledge today? What’s one system you can implement to streamline your workflow & create more leverage in your business? How can you tune in to your intuition & trust your judgment to make a bold decision this week? Share it below! Let's empower each other!
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
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We'd love to welcome you!
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