Ditch Entrepreneurial Comparisonitis Mums: Define Your Success

Ditch the Comparisonitis: Defining YOUR Entrepreneurial Success

Ditch comparisonitis! Define YOUR success as a Femmeprenista. Values, vision, & practical tips inside. Build your dream, your way!

Hey lovely Femmeprenistas,

Ever scroll through Instagram and suddenly feel like you're coming up short? Like everyone else is launching six-figure courses, jetting off to Bali for "business retreats" (while you're trying to decipher toddler language and prevent Espresso from redecorating the living room with shredded toilet paper), and generally living the entrepreneurial dream, while you're still figuring out how to schedule client calls around the school run?

Yeah, I get it. The comparison trap – or as I sometimes call it, "comparisonitis" – is a real beast, especially for us ambitious mums juggling a million things. It's like that feeling when you're trying to get ready in the morning, only for your toddler to decide the dog's water bowl is a new paddling pool, and you end up running late for school drop-off with one eyeliner on and a slightly damp trouser leg. Or, like that time I was trying to record a training video, & my two-year-old thought my microphone was a delicious new teething toy. Let's just say there were a few unexpected squeaks & giggles in the final cut! It’s chaotic, it's frustrating, and it can seriously derail your focus, right?

The thing is, lovely, comparison is the thief of joy, not to mention the assassin of productivity & confidence. It's like trying to build your dream house using someone else's blueprint – sure, it might look impressive from the outside, but it won't actually fit your life, your values, or your unique entrepreneurial vision. And that, my friend, is a recipe for frustration & burnout faster than you can say "Cocomelon theme song stuck in my head for the 100th time."

So, how do we escape this comparison trap & start defining success on our own terms? Let's dive in.

Understanding the Mum Guilt & Comparison Cocktail

Let's be honest, "mum guilt" is a constant companion for many of us. We're always questioning if we're doing enough, being enough, achieving enough – both as mothers & as entrepreneurs. And social media, with its curated highlight reels, often pours fuel on that already-smoldering fire.

Suddenly, every other mum seems to have cracked the code. They're effortlessly juggling thriving businesses, perfectly behaved children, immaculate homes, and, of course, those envy-inducing holidays. (I'm sure you've seen those perfectly posed beach photos, right? The ones where everyone's smiling serenely at the camera, & you just know there's a tantrum brewing just out of frame, or perhaps a small, furry hurricane named Espresso is about to photobomb the scene with a mouthful of someone's flip-flop).

This constant barrage of "perfect" can make us question our own path, our progress, and even our worth. We start internalizing the message that we should be further along, doing more, achieving more. And that, my lovely, is where the comparison trap snaps shut. We start measuring ourselves against an unrealistic & often entirely fabricated standard, forgetting that everyone's journey is unique. According to a study by the University of Hertfordshire a little nod to my PhD research!, 78% of female entrepreneurs experience comparison-induced imposter syndrome at some point in their journey. So, you are definitely not alone in this!

Reframing Success: Your Values, Your Vision

The first step to escaping the comparison trap is to redefine success based on your own values & goals. What truly matters to you? What kind of business & life are you trying to create?

For me, a "rich life" isn't just about having millions in the bank (though, let's be honest, that's part of the vision – creating generational wealth for my kids is a powerful motivator!). It's about having the flexibility to be present for my children's "pottery cup" moments, the freedom to travel & explore the world with them, the time & energy to nurture my relationship with my partner (because honestly, who wants to be glorified roommates after all the hard work?), & the deep fulfillment that comes from making a genuine impact on the women I serve. It's also about having the financial security to give my kids opportunities I never had, & to model for them what's possible when you combine hard work & smart work.

What about you? What does YOUR rich life look like? Take some time to truly define it, because once you have a clear vision of your own destination, the noise of other people's journeys becomes much less distracting.

Practical Strategies to Ditch the Comparisonitis

Okay, so we've talked about the "why" – now let's get to the "how." Here are some practical, actionable strategies to help you ditch the comparisonitis & stay focused on your own path:

Curate Your Social Media Feed (Seriously!): Unfollow accounts that trigger feelings of inadequacy or comparison. When I first started doing this, I felt strangely guilty, like I was abandoning people. But then I realized that it's about protecting my own energy & focus. It's not personal; it's strategic. Fill your feed with inspiring, supportive content that aligns with your values & goals. This is about creating a positive & empowering online environment for yourself. Next Step: Identify three accounts that make you feel less-than & unfollow them right now. Seriously, do it! Then, find three accounts that inspire you & fill you with positive energy.Next Step: Identify three accounts that make you feel less-than & unfollow them right now. Seriously, do it! Then, find three accounts that inspire you & fill you with positive energy.
Focus on Your Own Lane: Remember, everyone's journey is different. Comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20 is a recipe for discouragement. My own entrepreneurial journey – from selling sweets in the playground (yes, really!) to navigating corporate life at Apple to now building Femmeprenista while juggling four kids & a PhD – has definitely been a winding road. There was even that time I had to choose between staying at a job I loved (at Yadda Events, remember?) & the reality of a soul-crushing commute that took me away from my family for hours each day. It wasn't an easy decision, & it taught me so much about prioritizing what truly matters. It hasn't always been easy, & my path has been "slower" than some due to my family commitments. But it’s MY path, & I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, even with the occasional "caster oil on the carpet" moment thrown in. Celebrate your own progress, no matter how small it might seem. (Remember, even the tortoise got to the finish line, right?) Next Step: Schedule 15 minutes in your calendar this week specifically to reflect on your business journey. Write down three wins you've achieved this month, even if they feel small. Acknowledging your progress is FUEL for your entrepreneurial soul!Next Step: Schedule 15 minutes in your calendar this week specifically to reflect on your business journey. Write down three wins you've achieved this month, even if they feel small. Acknowledging your progress is FUEL for your entrepreneurial soul!
Practice Gratitude: Take time each day to appreciate what you HAVE achieved. This shifts your focus from lack to abundance & reinforces your own progress. One thing I do is keep a gratitude journal. Some days it's as simple as "grateful for a hot cup of tea in peace," other days it's "grateful for landing a new client." Every bit counts. Next Step: Before you go to bed tonight, write down three things you are genuinely grateful for related to your business or entrepreneurial journey. This small act can shift your entire perspective.Next Step: Before you go to bed tonight, write down three things you are genuinely grateful for related to your business or entrepreneurial journey. This small act can shift your entire perspective.
Define Your Own Metrics: What are YOUR measures of success? Is it a certain income level? Number of clients? Impact created? Time freedom gained? Define it, track it, & celebrate those milestones. Next Step: Open a spreadsheet or grab a notebook & write down three key metrics that will define YOUR version of success this quarter. Make them specific & measurable.Next Step: Open a spreadsheet or grab a notebook & write down three key metrics that will define YOUR version of success this quarter. Make them specific & measurable.
Embrace Your Unique Strengths: What makes YOU and YOUR business special? Focus on leveraging those strengths rather than trying to be someone you’re not. One of my strengths is translating complex business strategies into simple, actionable steps, informed by my MBA & ongoing PhD research. What are you uniquely brilliant at? Next Step: Take five minutes to brainstorm. What are three of your biggest strengths as an entrepreneur? How can you leverage these even more effectively in your business?Next Step: Take five minutes to brainstorm. What are three of your biggest strengths as an entrepreneur? How can you leverage these even more effectively in your business?
Seek Support: Connect with other female entrepreneurs who understand the juggle & the challenges. Our Femme Connect community is a wonderful place for this! Having a supportive network can make all the difference. We share tips on everything from navigating school holidays while running a business to mastering those tricky tech tools (without the jargon overload!). Next Step: Join our free Femme:Connect community today! It's a judgment-free zone where you can connect with other amazing women who *get* it.Next Step: Join our free Femme:Connect community today! It's a judgment-free zone where you can connect with other amazing women who *get* it.https://www.femmeprenista.com/femmeconnect

From Comparison to Collaboration: Building Your Tribe

One of the most powerful antidotes to comparison is connection. When we feel isolated, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others. But when we build a supportive tribe of like-minded women, we shift from competition to collaboration. We realize that we're all in this together, navigating the beautiful chaos of entrepreneurship & motherhood, each in our own unique way. Need support in building your vision & creating a business that truly fits your life? Our Spark Programme is designed specifically for Foundation Builders, helping you validate your idea, gain clarity on your niche, & build a solid foundation for success. Check it out here: https://www.femmeprenista.com/spark

So, lovely, reach out, connect, & build your tribe. Share your struggles, celebrate your wins, & remember that you’re not alone.

What’s one small step you can take today to shift your focus from comparison to celebrating your own unique journey? Share it below! I'd love to hear from you.