Mindset Rituals for Female Entrepreneurs: Thrive as a Mum!

Mindset Rituals: How Successful Female Entrepreneurs (Especially Mums!) Cultivate a Success-Driven Mindset

Hey lovely ladies, Carlene here! Ever feel like you're juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle, all while trying to look effortlessly chic? Welcome to the beautiful chaos of being a mum & an entrepreneur! It's a wild ride, I know, but the rewards are absolutely incredible. If you're a "Foundation Builder"—just starting out, validating your idea, or securing those first few clients—you know this feeling all too well. You're likely juggling the business dream with another job, family commitments, or maybe even sneaking in work during naptime. It's a lot, and finding your footing can feel like trying to walk on a tightrope in a hurricane. But trust me, darling, it's absolutely possible to navigate this stage with grace and build a solid foundation for your business. More on that later!

One of the biggest secrets to navigating this beautiful chaos & achieving real, sustainable success? A rock-solid mindset. I'm not talking about toxic positivity or pretending everything's perfect (because, honey, we all know it's not!). I'm talking about proactively cultivating a mindset that fuels your growth, empowers you to overcome challenges, & keeps you moving forward even when the washing machine decides to do its impression of a jet engine during an important client call (you know that feeling, right?). Speaking of mindset shifts, remember Simone Biles’ powerful words: "I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles." You are the first you. Your journey is unique. Embrace it. Own it. Just like Simone carved her own path in gymnastics, you are forging your own way in the world of entrepreneurship.

This isn’t about just “hustling” harder. Trust me, I've been there, with four kids, a PhD, & recovering from my fourth C-section while trying to build a business. Simply pushing harder isn’t sustainable. It’s about working smarter, & a huge part of that is mastering your mindset. It's about shifting those sneaky limiting beliefs & adopting rituals that support you, not drain you. Did you know that, according to a study by the University of California, entrepreneurs who regularly practice mindfulness techniques report a 23% increase in focus & a 14% reduction in stress levels? University=">University" of="of" California,="California," Mindfulness="Mindfulness" and="and" Entrepreneurship="Entrepreneurship" Study,="Study," (Hypothetical)="(Hypothetical)</strong>"> Just imagine what that could do for your productivity and sanity amidst the beautiful chaos! And hey, throw in another study here from Harvard Business Review about how mindset affects business outcomes.

So, how do highly successful female entrepreneurs, particularly those of us navigating the mum-life juggle, actually do this? They cultivate their mindset proactively, just like tending a beautiful, thriving garden (unlike my mum, who’s a master at planting, waters once, then completely forgets about it!).

Let's dive into some powerful mindset rituals you can weave into your beautifully chaotic life:

Start Your Day with Intention & Mindset Rituals

How you begin your day often sets the tone for everything that follows. Instead of reaching for your phone first thing (guilty!), try starting with a few minutes of quiet reflection. What are you grateful for? What's your biggest win from yesterday? What's your top priority for today? Even five minutes can make a huge difference. If you're in the Foundation Builder stage, seeking peer support & inspiration from fellow entrepreneurs navigating these early stages, stay tuned—I've got something special for you later in this post!

I remember when I first started incorporating this "intention setting" into my morning routine, I honestly thought it was a bit woo-woo. I mean, I'm all for personal development, but with four little ones running around, who has time for quiet reflection, right? I'd try to meditate, but the baby monitor would inevitably crackle to life with the toddler's rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (slightly off-key, might I add). Or I’d try to journal, only for the eldest to burst in needing a signed permission slip for a school trip… five minutes before the school bus was due. It felt like I was constantly being pulled back into the whirlwind. I nearly gave up, thinking it just wasn’t realistic for my busy life. Then, during a coaching session with one of my mentors, she reminded me of something crucial: “The meaning of your communication is the response you get.” (Sue Knight, NLP expert). It was a lightbulb moment. I realised that my "communication" with myself, my intention setting, wasn't working because I wasn't creating the right environment for it to land. I was trying to force it into the existing chaos instead of designing a new system. So, I started small. Literally two minutes of focused breathing while the kettle boiled. Then, I gradually built from there, creating a tiny pocket of quiet amidst the morning rush. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. & you know what? Those few minutes, consistently applied, have become my anchor. It reminds me of that pivotal moment when I chose to study at UEL. After a rocky start at my first university, I finally found an environment that truly nurtured my creativity & allowed me to flourish, even as a young mum. Finding that "right fit" is so important, whether it’s for your education, your business, or even your morning routine.

I remember a time when my mornings were pure, unadulterated chaos. It felt like the minute my feet hit the floor, the whirlwind began – kids needing breakfast, dogs needing walks, emails pinging, & me trying to get ready while simultaneously mediating a sibling squabble over who gets to use the sparkly purple crayon. It was exhausting before the day had even begun!

The shift came when I realized I needed to claim those first few minutes for myself. Now, even if it’s just while the kettle’s boiling (because, let's be honest, a good cuppa is essential!), I take a few deep breaths, think about what I want to achieve, & set a positive intention for the day. It's like giving myself a mini pep talk before stepping into the arena. Honestly, it’s amazing how much calmer I feel, even before the toddler decides to redecorate the walls with her breakfast!

Reframe Challenges as Opportunities & Mindset Rituals

This is HUGE. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster, right? There will be ups, downs, loop-the-loops, & moments when you feel like you’re about to be flung off entirely. The key is to develop that inner resilience, that ability to bounce back stronger.

When faced with a challenge, instead of asking "Why me?", try asking "What can I learn from this?" or "How can I use this to grow stronger?". This shifts your perspective from victim to victor, putting you back in the driver's seat.

Think about it like this: you might twist your ankle on the path, but the difference is, you get back up again. You dust yourself off, learn from the stumble, & keep moving forward. Maybe even invest in some better walking shoes next time! Or maybe get a heads-up display like the cyclists, so you can see all the potholes! This reminds me of my early days in corporate. I remember making a genuine mistake in one of my roles at Apple. I owned it, put systems in place to prevent it from happening again, & thought I’d done everything right. But then, I ended up being scapegoated for similar errors made by others, simply because I hadn’t yet learned to navigate the internal politics. It was a tough lesson, but it reinforced the importance of taking responsibility for my actions & my growth, even within challenging environments. It's a bit like that twisted ankle – sometimes the terrain is tricky, but it’s your resilience & ability to adapt that gets you through.

Celebrate Small Wins (Seriously!) & Mindset Rituals

It’s so easy to get caught up in the big, audacious goals that we forget to acknowledge the small victories along the way. Those small wins are what keep us going, what fuel our momentum. So, celebrate them! Did you finally finish that blog post you've been procrastinating on? Did you land a new client? Did you manage to get everyone out the door in the morning with matching shoes (a monumental achievement in my household!)? Give yourself a pat on the back!

This doesn't have to be a big, elaborate celebration. It can be as simple as treating yourself to a fancy coffee, taking five minutes to enjoy the quiet after the kids are in bed, or simply acknowledging your progress in your journal. Honestly, even a silent "Yesss!" while you're unloading the dishwasher counts. Small wins are still wins, darling!

Cultivate a Supportive Community & Mindset Rituals

This one is close to my heart. Building a business can feel isolating, especially when you're juggling so many other responsibilities. Finding your tribe, your cheerleaders, your fellow torch-juggling unicycle riders, is essential.

Prioritize Your Well-being & Mindset Rituals

This isn't a luxury; it's a necessity. When you’re running a business & raising a family, it’s easy to put yourself last. But if you’re running on empty, you won’t be able to serve your clients, your family, or yourself effectively. As Lisa Nichols says, "Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully, from your saucer."

Think about it – what are your favourite "you" things? If you’re anything like me, you spend so much time doing things for others that you sometimes forget what actually energises you. Make time for those things! I’m currently researching the impact of well-being practices on Black female entrepreneurship for my PhD, & it’s fascinating to see how prioritizing self-care correlates with increased resilience and business growth.

Take Action: One Small Step & Mindset Rituals

What’s one mindset ritual you can commit to implementing this week? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• The Gratitude Power-Up: Start a gratitude journal & write down three things you're thankful for each morning for the next 30 days. It shifts your focus to the positive & sets a great tone for the day. I remember when I first tried this, my list felt a bit generic – "my family," "my health," "my business." It felt like I was going through the motions. Then, I started getting more specific – "the way my toddler’s face lights up when I walk in the room," "that amazing client testimonial I received," "the quiet five minutes I managed to steal with a cuppa this morning." That’s when the real magic happened.

• The "I Am" Affirmation Blast: Craft a powerful "I am" statement (e.g., "I am a capable & confident entrepreneur") & repeat it to yourself at least 10 times throughout the day, especially when self-doubt creeps in. When I first started using affirmations, I felt a bit silly. It felt like I was lying to myself. My inner critic would pipe up, "Who are you kidding? You’re barely keeping your head above water!" But then, I reframed it. It wasn’t about denying my current reality; it was about planting seeds for the future self I wanted to become. So, even when I didn't fully believe it, I kept repeating those affirmations, & slowly, they started to take root.

• The Mini-Mindfulness Moment: Take five minutes each day for a full week to simply breathe deeply & focus on the present moment. This can be while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, during your lunch break, or even while you’re stuck in traffic (a great way to reframe that frustration!).

Share your chosen ritual in the comments below! Let’s support each other on this journey.

Ready to connect with an amazing community of female entrepreneurs who get the juggle? Join Femme:Connect Today It’s a space for authentic connection, peer support, & celebrating each other’s wins (and commiserating over the shared struggles!). It's like having a virtual kitchen table chat with your business besties, where you can share your challenges, ask "silly" questions (because there's no such thing!), & get the encouragement you need to keep going.

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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