7 Ways to Awaken Your Inner Girl Boss
We've all seen someone on Instagram, IRL or even in school who inspires us—someone whom we look at from afar, in awe of how much they've accomplished, or the fabulous life they seem to live.
What we sometimes don't realize is that we're all capable of that same success. The girls you look up to all started from somewhere, too, so if you feel like you're at the very bottom, just know that no one starts from the top. Author Tiffany Pham's new book, Girl Mogul, offers so many ways to get inspired, take action and make your dreams a reality, we had to share them with you.
If you need an extra kick of confidence to get the ball rolling towards your own success, keep reading for seven ways to awaken your inner girl boss.
1. Learn as Many Skills as Possible
Big or small, taking up new skills will not only make you a more well-rounded individual, but you can apply those things to your work, and become capable of doing more than before. As Tiffany suggests in her book, "take a lesson, enroll in a class, or reach out to a friend who already knows [how to do something]. The more new skills you acquire, the more confidence you'll have."
2. Study One of Your Role Models
What is it about the girl on Instagram or the student in your math class that you admire so much? What makes them stand out?
"Pick one thing you admire about her and then embody that positive quality as you follow in their footsteps," Tiffany suggests. Whether it's that they wear everything with confidence or they're always smiling, something about them that catches your attention is what you want to emulate.
3. Own Your Uniqueness
Everyone has something about them that's different, that sets them apart. In the case of Tiffany, she was a 23-year-old Asian woman attending Harvard Business School with mostly white men.
"I realized I could try to fade into the background because I didn't feel like I fit in, or I could speak up for the very reason that I would be able to share a different view," she says in Girl Mogul. "My perspective was necessary because it was different. It added something new and valuable to the conversation."
(via Unsplash)
4. Dress Confidently
As we've mentioned on Sweety High before, there are plenty of ways to feel confident in whatever you wear. But it's important to stay true to you. What makes you look and feel your best is going to differ from the girl who sits next to you. "I've learned that when I feel like I look my best, I'll act my best," Tiffany says. "How I feel is what is important, not what others think."
In the case of the author, she's sure to have red lipstick and liquid eyeliner in her possession at all times, as those are her two go-tos when she needs a quick pick-me-up in her appearance. Finding whatever works for you will help you out when you don't have all the time in the world to look your best.
5. Envision Success
If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone else to? Whether it's becoming a star student, launching a brand, making the team, or being accepted by the popular girls, whatever it is you set out to achieve, think about it as if it's already happened.
"Every night when I look at my calendar for the next day, I take a moment to visualize how I want each event or meeting to go," Tiffany says. "What are my hopes and goals? What would it look like if the best outcome actually happened? Then I make a mental note to stay focused on the outcome during my day. Sometimes I even jot these goals in the margins of my calendar. You can do the same for school, envisioning what success would be like in each class."
(via Unsplash)
6. Thrive From Failure
Failure is an inevitable experience with any journey to success. But while it may stink in the moment, it's actually not a bad thing in the long run.
"Embracing failure is a popular concept in the startup world," Tiffany says. "In fact, many serial entrepreneurs love to discuss their failures as much as their successes! Why? Because these failures are often what eventually lead to success. The lessons learned and the mistakes made were all ultimately leading to that big win."
7. Embrace Your Passions
Any small skill or interest can be spun into an entire career path or business. Whether you love music, animals, fashion, writing, cars, you name it—you can make anything out of something you truly enjoy. This also includes being knowledgeable about computers, or taking really good photos. Seriously, anything you enjoy or are particularly skilled at is worth pursuing.
"You don't have to know exactly where your passion is leading you," Tiffany says. "You just have to listen within and notice what you enjoy. Follow that lead. Take one step toward pursuing that passion, and then the next, and then the next. You don't always know where it's leading—like a trail of breadcrumbs. But if you're doing something you love, you're on the right path."
Author and girl boss Tiffany Pham's new book, Girl Mogul, is available now.
