Tech Ownership: Female Entrepreneurs' Guide to Mastering Tools
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Sep 1, 2024
- 9 min read
Tech Overwhelm to Tech Ownership: Why Mastering Your Chosen Tools is Non-Negotiable for Productive Female Entrepreneurs
Okay, let’s have a real heart-to-heart, shall we? Picture this: it’s a Tuesday morning. You’ve finally carved out a precious couple of hours while the little one naps, or perhaps the older kids are at school. You sit down at your desk, cuppa in hand, ready to conquer that to-do list. But then… technology. That fancy new software you bought last month because everyone was raving about it? You still haven’t figured out how to actually use its "game-changing" features. Or maybe it’s the trusty old system that’s suddenly developed a mind of its own, & you’re spending more time wrestling with it than doing the deep work that moves your business forward. Sound familiar? Thought so!
As female entrepreneurs, especially as mothers, we’re professional jugglers. We’re managing households, families, often pets (my two Min Pins, Cappuccino & Espresso, certainly add their own brand of delightful chaos to my days!), & our burgeoning businesses. The last thing we need is for our technology – the very tools meant to help us – to become another source of stress & a drain on our limited time.
So many of us fall into the trap of thinking that accumulating more tech, more apps, more platforms is the secret to productivity. But I’m here to tell you, from years of experience both in the corporate world at places like Apple & in building my own businesses while navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood & a PhD, that true, sustainable productivity comes from something far more profound: tech ownership. I don't just use what I'm told, I actually question, "Is this the best way of doing things?" & trust me, this approach has saved me countless headaches (and hours!).
The Big Misconception: More Tech ≠ More Productive
It’s so easy to get seduced by the promise of the next shiny new tool. We see an ad, hear a recommendation, & think, "Aha! This is what I’m missing!" We invest our hard-earned cash, spend a bit of time on a cursory setup, & then… it languishes. We only scratch the surface of its capabilities, or worse, we find it so complicated that we revert to our old, clunky ways of doing things.
The truth is, using software, applications, or devices you don’t fully know can be incredibly counterproductive. You end up spending more time fumbling around, searching for how-to videos, or feeling that rising tide of frustration than if you’d stuck with a simpler tool you actually understood. We've all been there, haven't we? That moment when you realise you've spent an hour trying to do something that should have taken ten minutes, all because the learning curve felt more like a learning cliff-face. It’s enough to make you want to hide under the duvet with a cuppa & a good bookIt’s enough to make you want to hide under the duvet with a cuppa & a good book (please do that after you've mastered your tech, by the way!).
From Passive User to Active Owner: Taking Radical Responsibility for Your Tech Stack
This is where a crucial mindset shift needs to happen, & it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about: we need to move from being passive users of technology to becoming active, conscious owners. This isn’t just about knowing which buttons to press; it’s about taking radical personal responsibility for understanding & mastering the tools you choose to bring into your business.
Think about it – you wouldn’t hire a team member & then not bother to train them or understand their role, would you? Your technology is a key part of your business infrastructure.
It’s there to support you.
To streamline your efforts.
To help you serve your clients more effectively.
But it can only do that if you truly take ownership of it. This is about sharpening your mindset, developing that resilience to push through the initial discomfort of learning, & really defining how these tools will serve your vision. & honestly, I feel like if you don't show your tech this respect, it's just not going to give you it back!
I learned this lesson the hard way in various roles & even in my own entrepreneurial journey. There were times I felt overwhelmed by a new system, tempted to just muddle through. Like that time I accidentally sent out a marketing email to my entire list with the subject line "TEST - DO NOT OPEN!" costing me a lot of credibility & a chunk of change. But I’ve always had this innate drive to question, "Is this the best way of doing things?" And that curiosity pushed me to dig deeper, to understand, & ultimately, to take control. It’s a core part of how we approach building robust businesses within the Business Flourish Framework; it’s about creating clarity & building that unshakeable confidence, even with something as seemingly dry as tech. After all, money loves clarity, right?
The 'Mastery Dividend': Why Deep Learning Pays Off (Big Time!)
Here’s the magic: the time you invest upfront in truly learning your core software & equipment pays you back in spades. I call this the 'Mastery Dividend.'
When you understand your tools deeply:
You work faster & more efficiently.
You make fewer mistakes.
You reduce tech-related stress & frustration (a massive win for any busy mum!).
You can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up your precious time.
You unlock hidden features that can genuinely transform your workflows.
You feel more confident & in control of your business operations.
Contrast this with the counter-productivity of superficial use. Spending excessive time navigating a steep learning curve for every single feature of every single tool can indeed frustrate you & hinder your performance. But strategic mastery of the right features of your chosen tools is an entirely different ball game.
I remember working with a client in Momentum Coaching Page, a brilliant Scaling Leader who was drowning in admin. She had all the "right" software, but she was only using about 10% of its capability. We dedicated time to help her master the key automation features in her CRM & project management tool. The result? She clawed back nearly 8 hours a week! That’s an entire working day she could now dedicate to strategic growth, or, just as importantly, to being fully present with her family. That’s the Mastery Dividend in action. It’s really funny because she thought she needed more tools, when actually, she just needed to understand the ones she had!
Recently, I had a tech challenge myself! I accidentally locked myself out of my main email account after a password update went awry. Sounds simple, right? But it brought my entire business to a standstill – client communication, invoicing, everything! It took me a frantic half-day of calls, password resets, & a lot of deep breaths to finally regain access. It was a stark reminder that even with years of tech experience, things can (and do!) go wrong. But because I understood the underlying systems, I knew where to start troubleshooting, & I was able to fix it myself. That experience reinforced to me that tech ownership isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a business survival skill.
Choosing Your Tech Partners Wisely: Strategic Selection Over Shiny Object Syndrome
Of course, mastery begins with strategic selection. It’s not about having all the tech; it’s about having the right tech for your specific business needs, your current stage (whether you're a Foundation Builder just starting out or a Scaling Leader looking to optimise), & crucially, your capacity to learn & implement.
Don’t get swayed by hype or what everyone else is using. Ask yourself:
What specific problem will this tool solve for me?
Does it integrate well with my existing systems?
Is the learning curve realistic for my current time & energy levels?
Will it genuinely enhance my processes or just add another layer of complexity?
To make that decision even easier, consider these steps:
List your business needs: What are the core problems you're trying to solve with technology?
Research potential solutions: Look for tools that directly address your listed needs.
Consider integration: How well does the tool integrate with your existing tech stack?
Assess the learning curve: Is the tool easy to learn and use, or will it require a significant time investment?
Read reviews & testimonials: What are other users saying about the tool?
Test before you invest: Take advantage of free trials or demos to see if the tool is a good fit for your business.
Personally, I’ve found that the Apple & Google ecosystems, when used thoughtfully, can work exceptionally well together for me. That’s my personal fit, discovered through trial, error, & a commitment to understanding how they can serve my needs as a busy entrepreneur juggling family & a PhD. It’s not a prescription for everyone, but an example of finding what aligns with your individual workflow & preferences. The key is that conscious choice, rather than reactive accumulation. & honestly, finding that balance can feel like a superpower!
For those of you just starting out & feeling utterly bewildered by the choices, know that support is available. Whether you're a Foundation Builder getting clarity on your foundational plan through something like our Spark Program Page or even opting for a Ready-to-Launch Kit Page to get your essential systems set up professionally from the get-go, making smart early choices about tech is vital. After all, what is it they say about planning…? “Plans are nothing, but planning is everything," right?
Tech Ownership: It Adds up!
Here's another "Tech Ownership" benefit! If you add up hours spent struggling with tech or hiring out tasks that you could master, you find you're:
Saving money
Gaining time.
Demystifying "Mastery": It's About Competence, Not Becoming a Guru
Now, when I say "mastery," please don’t think you need to become a certified tech guru overnight! That’s just another route to overwhelm. For most of us, mastery simply means identifying & deeply understanding the key features of your selected tools that will solve your biggest operational pain points.
For example, I rely heavily on Asana for project management. I don't need to know every single bell & whistle, but I have mastered creating templates, automating recurring tasks, & integrating it with my Google Calendar. This allows me to keep all my projects on track without feeling buried in details. That's tech ownership in action!
It’s about competence & confidence in using those core functions that will give you the biggest return on your time investment.
Dedicate focused blocks of time to learn (even 30 minutes regularly is better than sporadic, frustrated attempts).
Utilise official tutorials, knowledge bases, or even targeted short courses.
Focus on one tool or one key feature at a time.
Practice! The more you use it with intention, the more intuitive it becomes.
This approach builds competence, which in turn breeds confidence. & a confident entrepreneur is an empowered entrepreneur. That's when the magic happens!
Tech as Your Strategic Ally: Unlocking True Business Flourish
When you shift your relationship with technology from one of overwhelm to one of ownership & mastery, it ceases to be a necessary evil & becomes a powerful strategic ally. This is where you can truly start to implement efficient systems, perhaps even leveraging smart AI tools to genuinely streamline your processes, & make significant strides in your business.
Imagine:
Your marketing campaigns running smoothly because you’ve mastered your email marketing platform & analytics.
Your client onboarding being a seamless, professional experience because your CRM & scheduling tools are working in perfect harmony.
Your finances being crystal clear because you truly understand your accounting software.
Your team (if you have one) operating efficiently because everyone is proficient with your chosen project management tools.
This isn't a pipe dream. It's the reality of tech ownership. This level of efficiency frees up your mental energy and, most importantly, your time. Time that you can reinvest into strategic growth, into innovation, into your own well-being (so crucial for avoiding burnout!), & into those precious moments with your family. It’s about creating systems that allow your business to energise you rather than drain you. For us at Femmeprenista, this holistic integration is key to our Business Flourish Framework, where smart systems & strategic tech integration help you create not just a successful business, but a fulfilling life.
Take Ownership, Master Your Tools, Thrive
So, my lovely ambitious friend, I urge you to take a good, honest look at your relationship with technology. Are you a passive user, feeling frustrated & overwhelmed? Or are you ready to step into active ownership?
Choosing to master your chosen tools is a non-negotiable act of personal responsibility for any serious female entrepreneur. It’s an investment in your efficiency, your sanity, & your business’s long-term success. According to a recent study, entrepreneurs waste an average of 14 hours a week on tech-related issues. Tech ownership is about working smarter, not just harder, & creating the streamlined, supportive infrastructure that will allow you to truly flourish.
You’ve got this. It might take a little time & focused effort, but the ‘Mastery Dividend’ is so worth it. Remember, the only impossible journey is the one you never begin!
Feeling ready to not just manage, but truly master the systems that will propel your business forward? If you’re a Scaling Leader, an established business owner with proven traction who's actively scaling (typically £1k-£10k+/month, sometimes more, & growing) and is looking to implement tailored strategies, build those smart, efficient systems (yes, including practical AI!), & achieve sustainable growth without the burnout, then our Momentum Coaching accelerator could be the dedicated support you need. It’s designed to help you move from overwhelm to elegant efficiency.
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!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
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