Silencing Inner Critic Entrepreneurs: Unlock Your Superpowers

That Pesky Inner Critic: How to Tell Her to "Shush!" & Unleash Your Real Superpowers

Ever have one of those days? You know, the ones where you’re buzzing with a brilliant business idea, or you’ve just nailed a tricky client negotiation, and then she pipes up? That little voice in your head, the uninvited guest who sounds suspiciously like a very critical, very pessimistic version of yourself, whispering (or sometimes shouting!), “Who do you think you are?” or “You’re going to mess this up, just like last time.”

Oh, I know her well. We all do, especially us ambitious female entrepreneurs who are also often juggling motherhood, households, & about a million other things. It’s like having a permanent heckler in the front row of your own life performance! And honestly, during my early days – trying to get my first venture off the ground with a baby on my hip, or even later, navigating my MBA programme feeling like I was constantly playing catch-up – that inner critic had a megaphone. She’d tell me I wasn’t smart enough, experienced enough, or that wanting a thriving business and being a present mum was a fairytale. I remember prepping for a crucial presentation & my inner critic was screaming so loud, that I missed my daughter’s school play rehearsal - not something I’m proud of!

Sound familiar? Thought so!

But here’s the beautiful, liberating truth I’ve learned through my own rollercoaster journey & from working with countless incredible women: that voice, as convincing as she is, is mostly telling porky pies. And the real magic happens when we learn to not just ignore her, but to actively rewrite her script. This advice is especially helpful if you're an early stage, or Foundation Builder, entrepreneur, right where the pesky inner critic can strike hardest.

The Uninvited Guests: Understanding Those Self-Limiting Beliefs

So, what are these sneaky saboteurs we call self-limiting beliefs? In simple terms, they’re the assumptions or perceptions you have about yourself & the world that hold you back. They’re the invisible fences we build around our potential. Things like:

• “I’m not good enough/smart enough/experienced enough.”

• “I’m terrible with money/tech/selling.”

• “Successful women in business have to sacrifice their family life.” (Ah, good old mummy guilt, we see you!)

• “If I fail, everyone will know, & it’ll be humiliating.”

• “I need to have everything perfect before I can start/launch/scale.”

For us female entrepreneurs, & particularly for mothers, these beliefs can feel amplified. We’re often navigating societal expectations, ingrained biases (both external & internalised), & that ever-present juggle. It’s really funny, because I remember when I was trying to launch Nisbett & George, my first proper venture after university, with my eldest daughter still so little. The internal chatter was deafening – "You can't possibly build a business AND be a good mum," "You don't have what it takes, you're too young/inexperienced/tired." It felt like I was wading through treacle just to take the smallest step forward. According to a study by the Kauffman Foundation, women entrepreneurs often cite a lack of confidence as a major barrier, with 67% experiencing imposter syndrome at some point. It’s no wonder these narratives can take root so deeply!

Newsflash! These Beliefs Are Liars (But Very Convincing Ones)

Here’s the crucial part: these beliefs are learned, not inherent truths. Think about it. Were you born believing you couldn’t run a business or that you weren’t worthy of success? Of course not! These narratives are picked up along the way – from past experiences, things people have said, societal messages, maybe even well-meaning but misguided advice.

The danger is, if we let these false narratives run the show, they become self-fulfilling prophecies. If you believe you’re bad at sales, you’ll likely avoid sales activities, approach them with dread, & guess what? Your sales probably will suffer, reinforcing the original faulty belief. It’s a vicious cycle.

I often think back to my early school days. I moved to a new private school mid-year & felt completely out of my depth, terrified to ask questions for fear of looking silly. That feeling of needing to ‘catch up’ & the fear of not being ‘good enough’ could easily have become a lifelong belief if I hadn't, over time & with some fierce advocacy from my dad (who wasn't afraid to shout at teachers telling me to shut up!) learned to find & use my voice. It taught me early on that what we believe about our capabilities profoundly shapes what we do. Honestly, I didn’t realise back then how much that impacted me.

Unlocking YOUR Superpowers: The Antidote to Self-Doubt

Now for the exciting bit! Every single one of us Femmeprenistas possesses a unique set of inherent “superpowers.” These aren’t about capes & flying (though some days, that would be handy for the school run!). They are your innate strengths, your resilience forged in the fires of challenge, your sharp intuition, your unique perspective shaped by your individual journey.

Think about it:

• Resilience: As a woman, as an entrepreneur, as a mother – you’ve likely overcome incredible hurdles already. That’s resilience, & it’s pure gold.

• Intuition: That gut feeling, that inner knowing. So often, we’re encouraged to ignore it in favour of “logic,” but your intuition is a powerful guidance system.

• Creativity & Problem-Solving: Juggling family & business demands requires Olympic-level creativity & problem-solving daily! You’re probably a master strategist without even realising it.

• Empathy & Connection: Your ability to understand & connect with others is a massive asset in building relationships, understanding your clients, & leading with heart.

Learning to trust that intuition is a game-changer. I think back to my own decision to switch universities; even though it seemed like a setback at the time, it was pure intuition telling me I needed a different environment to thrive – & it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

These aren't just nice-to-haves; they are potent tools for dismantling those limiting beliefs. When Imposter Syndrome whispers, “You don’t belong here,” your resilience superpower reminds you of everything you’ve conquered to get here. When fear of failure shouts, “Don’t even try!” your intuition might gently nudge you towards a smart, calculated risk that feels right.

Take a moment right now. What are your superpowers? What qualities have seen you through tough times? What unique perspectives do you bring? Jot them down. Acknowledge them. Celebrate them.

Taking Back Control: A 3-Step Plan for Shushing the Inner Critic

Here’s a truth that has become a core tenet of my philosophy, & it’s central to everything we do here at Femmeprenista: while systemic challenges are real, & while those pesky beliefs can feel overwhelming, you hold the ultimate power to change your internal narrative through personal responsibility & ownership.

Waiting for those beliefs to magically vanish, or for someone else to fix them for you, is a recipe for staying stuck. The most empowering shift you can make is to decide – actively, consciously decide – that you are in charge of the stories you tell yourself. This is where the real work, & the real magic, begins.

And even though I preach taking ownership, & I KNEW that to launch my signature coaching programme I needed to reach out to some previous clients, that inner critic was having a FIELD DAY. I kept putting it off, making excuses, telling myself they wouldn't be interested. It was only when I actually took the leap, despite feeling sick with anxiety, that I landed my first few clients.

So how do you actually do it? It’s about sharpening your focus, that critical ability to direct your mindset towards what you can control. Here’s a simple 3-step actionable framework to get you started:

1. Identify Your Triggers: What situations, thoughts, or people tend to set off your inner critic? Keep a journal for a week & jot them down. Awareness is the first step.

2. Reframe the Narrative: When you notice that inner critic piping up, challenge its validity. Ask yourself, “Is this really true? Is there another way of looking at this?” Replace the negative thought with a more positive, empowering one. For example, instead of "I'm going to fail," try "I'm capable of learning & growing, & I'll give it my best shot."

3. Build Supportive Habits: Surround yourself with a supportive community (like Femme:Connect!) & implement daily self-care practices that nourish your mind & body. This could be anything from meditation to a brisk walk in nature to a chat with a trusted friend.

I know this isn’t always easy. When you’re exhausted, feeling unsupported (I’ve been there, trying to manage tiny humans & a fledgling business with what felt like zero practical help at times!), it’s tempting to look outwards for reasons why things are hard. And yes, sometimes things are unfairly hard. But what I’ve learned, often the hard way, is that my greatest agency lies in how I respond to those challenges &.

Ready to build a flourishing business without succumbing to that pesky inner critic? Join Femme:Connect today & connect with like-minded women on a similar journey: (https://www.femmeprenista.com/femmeconnect)

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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