Mindset shifts for women seeking clarity

You don’t need “more confidence.” You need a better mirror. Most of the women I work with fall into a very specific category: Ambitious millennial women with top credentials and a track record of success — who suddenly find themselves considering career coaching. Not because they’re underperforming or have “lost it.” But because they’re in a career season that’s testing them. And if that’s you — you might feel your sense of clarity, momentum, or self-trust start to shake. Maybe you: → Feel uncharacteristically stuck + can’t explain why → Were quietly passed over (or openly laid off) → Are managing a draining boss or dysfunctional team → Are operating way below your level → Are so burnt out, you barely recognize yourself This season is 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 — and I know you'd love to sprint to the other side. But it’s also an opportunity - to rebuild your confidence. Not in a performative, “project confidence” kind of way. But in a deep-rooted, unshakeable, 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦 kind of way. Here are six ways to start: 1. Resource yourself first. You can’t think or affirm your way to confidence if your body is in survival mode. Start with the basics: sleep, hydration, nourishment. Then add movement — cardio for endorphins, strength training for power. When your body feels safe and strong, your mind follows. 2. Turn down the volume on your inner critics. That voice in your head questioning everything? It’s likely not yours. It’s old feedback, outdated conditioning, a throwaway comment from 2017. Write it all down. Decide what’s true, what’s not, and what gets left in the notebook. 3. Revisit your track record. You haven’t lost your capability — you just forgot the evidence. Pull out old reviews, MBA letters, kudos emails. You’re still the person who did all that. Let it remind you: you are an exceptional professional. 4. Anchor into your strengths. Despite how you feel right now, you do have a zone of genius. Get clear on what energizes you and find ways to do more of it. Need a mirror? The CliftonStrengths Finder is a great place to start. 5. Connect with people who see your brilliance. Reach out to the mentors, colleagues, and peers who know your worth. Ask what they appreciated about working with you. You’re not looking for validation — you’re rebuilding your reflection through trusted eyes. 6. Do something brave. Stepping outside your comfort zone reminds you who you are. It doesn’t have to be career-related — take the hike, sign up for the class, have the hard conversation. Every brave act is a down payment on your self-belief. -- Follow these steps and you’ll stop chasing confidence as a feeling or costume you have to put on. Instead, it will be lit deep from within - a steady flame of self-belief and self-trust. Fueling you to create the career that’s right for you. You haven’t lost your capability or potential. You just forgot to fully believe in yourself.

Dear Board-Ready Female Executive, In my work with accomplished women like you, I’ve found that the number one issue that holds many back from positioning for board roles isn’t lack of experience or qualifications—it’s mindset. We feel unready. We question whether we’re truly board material. We see opportunities and think, I need to do more before I can step into that space. But here’s the truth: Board readiness isn’t just about skills—it’s about how you position yourself. The first step isn’t another qualification. It’s a mindset shift. Here are eight key mindsets that separate those who land board roles from those who wait on the sidelines: 1️⃣ The Mindset of Readiness Boards don’t come looking for you—you must be visible and ready when opportunities arise. That means crafting your thought leadership, refining your board bio, and positioning yourself as a board-level thinker before you even apply. 2️⃣ The Mindset of Experti Expertise Ownership Too many high-achieving women downplay their expertise. You don’t need one more qualification before you can serve on a board. You need to own the decades of experience, insights, and leadership you already have. 3️⃣ The Mindset of Strategic Positioning Board seats go to those who are seen as valuable at the highest level. If your industry peers and decision-makers don’t know you, it’s time to build visibility through LinkedIn, speaking engagements, and executive networking. 4️⃣ The Mindset of Continuous Professional Development The best board candidates are always learning. Whether it’s governance, ESG, cyber risk, or industry shifts, staying ahead makes you a more attractive board candidate. Boardroom conversations evolve—you should too. 5️⃣ The Mindset of High-Value Networking Right now there could be a few board roles floating around in your network. But you don’t know about them because you aren’t being strategic- engaging with decision-makers, attending the right events, and positioning yourself in the right rooms. 6️⃣ The Mindset of Strategic Foresight & Industry Contribution Boards aren’t just looking for operators; they need visionaries who can anticipate industry shifts and offer strategic guidance. How are you contributing to the thought leadership of your sector? What future trends are you helping shape? If you’re not actively engaging in industry discussions, you’re missing a key part of board-level influence. 7️⃣ The Mindset of Contribution, Not Just Achievement Boards don’t hire you for your resume—they want your insight, your strategic thinking, and your ability to navigate complexity. Shift from I’ve done this in my career to Here’s how I add value at a governance level. 8️⃣ The Mindset of Bold Advocacy Women often wait to be tapped for board roles. Stop waiting. Be proactive. Advocate for yourself, apply, reach out, and make your aspirations known. ✨ Which two of these mindsets will you be working on this year? Let me know in the comments.

“Ask for more. The universe isn’t on a budget.” I’ve been sitting with this profound quote all week. It stopped me in my tracks during a coaching session when my client shared it as she realized how often she limited herself by assuming scarcity rather than possibility. Many of us operate from a mindset of constraint; we hesitate to ask for what we truly need and want because we fear rejection, judgment, or that we’re somehow being greedy, especially if we feel we already have enough. But what if we approached our professional and personal lives with the understanding that abundance is available if we’re brave enough to ask for it? Here are 7 things I encourage you to ask for more of. (Trust me, the universe can spare it.) 1. Feedback: Not the sanitized or sandwich versions, but the honest insights that help you grow. Most managers are hesitant to offer comprehensive feedback unless explicitly invited. Ask specifically: “What’s one thing I could do differently that would make the biggest impact on my effectiveness?” 2. Thinking time: In our action-oriented culture, we often sacrifice reflection. Block time on your calendar labeled “strategic thinking” and protect it fiercely. Your best solutions rarely emerge in the chaos of back-to-back meetings. 3. Clarity around expectations : “I THINK I understand what you’re asking for…” is a recipe for disappointment. Instead, try: “Let me confirm my understanding of what success looks like for this project…” Then listen carefully to the response. 4. Help: Research shows women especially struggle with this one. Requesting assistance isn’t weakness. It’s strategic resource allocation and relationship building. Be specific about what you need and by when. And know that other people are wanting and waiting to help you. (Sophie Riegel and I wrote a whole book on this topic: https://amzn.to/45eQJMF 5. Recovery time: High performance requires restoration. Request buffer time between major projects, or block “recovery days” after intense work periods. Your creativity and judgment depend on it. 6. Compensation conversations: Many of us have one salary discussion per year — if that! What if you requested quarterly check-ins about your value contribution and corresponding compensation? You might be surprised by the opportunities that emerge. 7. Personal fulfillment: We often prioritize professional accomplishments over personal joy. Advocate for experiences that nourish your soul. Maybe it’s a weekly art class, time to volunteer, or taking a walk with friends. Your wellbeing isn’t a luxury; it’s the foundation of your sustainable success. What would change if you operated from abundance rather than scarcity? If you believed that asking for more wasn’t selfish but necessary for your growth and impact? The universe isn’t on a budget. Neither should your ambitions be. What do you need to ask for more of today? Share in the comments.

Stop teaching women to be confident. We don’t need another pep talk. We don’t need more “you got this” speeches or workshops on how to feel stronger. Because let’s be real: women already are confident. They study. They deliver results. They lead teams. They launch businesses. They have the expertise. Confidence isn’t the problem. The real gap? 👉 Credibility — when a man speaks, authority is assumed. When a woman speaks, her credibility is questioned. 👉 Self-trust — not “can I do it?” but “do I trust myself enough to stop apologizing, overexplaining, or shrinking when I do it?” And yes, this is maddening to witness: we’ve all seen mediocrity celebrated as authority on one side of the table, while brilliance gets interrogated on the other. Double standards drive me crazy. So instead of pushing women to “fix themselves” with more confidence, the work is two-fold: ⚡ Fix the systems that undermine them. ⚡ Practice the subtle shifts that close the credibility gap. Here’s the simple micro-framework I share with clients when influence feels harder than it should: 1️⃣ Align — Anchor in what actually matters: your values, your expertise, your goals. And ask yourself the hardest question: am I sitting at the right table? Because if you’re at the wrong one, it’s like fighting windmills. No amount of “confidence” will make that worth it. 2️⃣ State — Share your perspective clearly. No hedging. No over-explaining. No apologizing for taking space. This is the one piece where practice is everything — the muscle you build each time you refuse to downplay yourself. 3️⃣ Evidence — Back it up with data, examples, proof. Unfair? Absolutely. Necessary? Yes. Because credibility isn’t handed to us the way it is to others. We build it, brick by brick. Here’s the secret: 👉 Just “being confident” without credibility, without alignment, without self-trust… is like shouting into the wind. 👉 Alignment + clarity + evidence? That’s what shifts the room. And no, you don’t have to wake up every day ready to “fix the system” by yourself. None of us do. But every aligned statement, every piece of evidence, every time you refuse to shrink — you’re not just protecting your seat. You’re reshaping the table. Now tell me: when was the last time you noticed credibility being assumed for someone else… and questioned for you? (And if this hit home: my DMs are open.)

MYTH: “If I were more serious about my business, I’d have it all figured out by now.” Let’s bust the myth that clarity means certainty. I hear this from women leaving the corporate world all the time: • “I should know how to talk about my work.” • “Why is this taking me so long?” • “I keep changing my mind.” Here’s what I tell them: Everyone feels that way. And when we name it, there’s relief. Because they’re not alone. If you’re in a season of shifting, it doesn’t mean you’re lost. It means you’re evolving. Still feel unsure? That’s not weakness. That’s being human. Want a place to start? 1. Ask two former colleagues what they always noticed about you. 2. Ask two former clients what stood out when working with you. What’s one conversation you could have this week to start listening differently?

Over the years, I’ve completely redefined what productivity means to me. It’s no longer about ticking off tasks or squeezing more into my calendar. It’s about protecting my energy, staying in alignment, and doing what truly matters—with presence, ease, and joy. Here are 5 mindset shifts that changed how I work, live, and feel: 1. From “move fast” → to “move with clarity” I’ve learned the hard way—speed means nothing without direction. You can be busy all day and still feel stuck. Now I pause to ask: Is this aligned with where I want to go? That clarity saves me hours of wasted effort. 2. From “hold it all in my head” → to “put it on paper” Mental clutter drains energy. That’s why I use lists—for my year, my month, my day. They don’t just help me stay organized—they help me stay light, focused, and fully present in the moment. 3. From “always available” → to “protect my prime energy” Mornings are my most sacred time. That’s when my energy is at its peak—when I feel most creative and connected. I’ve stopped giving away those golden hours to meetings or distractions. That small boundary has been a powerful shift. 4. From “prove yourself” → to “nourish your environment” I no longer try to prove my worth in spaces that don’t value me. I now choose people and environments that recharge me—where ambition, kindness, and growth coexist. Because energy is contagious, and who you surround yourself with matters. 5. From “push through” → to “pause and replenish” Rest used to feel like weakness—now it feels like wisdom. And not just sleep—I'm talking about emotional, mental, and creative rest. When I started honoring rest as a way to refuel my energy, everything shifted. I became more grounded, more focused, and more me. ✨ Productivity is no longer about cramming more into my day. It’s about creating space—for what fuels me, fulfills me, and moves me forward without burning me out. Which of these shifts speaks to where you are right now? #mindsetmatters #mindsetiseverything #mindsetcoaching #productivity #growthmindset

You don’t need a full-on crisis to trigger a career change. But most women wait until burnout or a situation out of their control forces their hand. I was totally guilty of this. Job moves after maternity leave…twice. Redundancy pushed me to make a change. Structural shifts or leadership changes moved the goal posts. It took me years to take control of my career. I ignored what I already knew in my gut and heart. If you suspect a little voice has been whispering that it’s time for something new, here are 5 signals that your work might no longer fit: 1️⃣ You’ve stopped thinking about what you want - you’re just trying to keep all the balls in the air. 2️⃣ Your role looks great on paper…but you feel disconnected from it. The joy is gone. 3️⃣ You’re always tired or frustrated - even when the workload isn’t that intense. 4️⃣ You feel guilty or confused that you want something else - especially because you’ve already “made it.” 5️⃣ You’re not stuck. But you’re not growing, either. There’s no clear next step. These are NOT signs of failure. They’re signs of change trying to happen. Here’s the (hopefully somewhat) reassuring truth: you don’t need to burn it all down to make it better and starting small is key. But you do need to listen to that niggling voice in your mind and create time and space to ask yourself: 🤯 ‘What do I want next - really?’ That’s the work I do with clients - helping them figure out what’s next, and how to move toward it with clarity and confidence. And most importantly, how to do that without sacrificing themselves in the process. If this connects with you, or the little voice is now screaming, save this post. Share it with the friend who hates their job. Or send me a DM and let’s have a totally free and noncommittal chat about what your version of “next” could look like. I can help you shift into action. #careerreset #careerclarity #executivecoach #careercoaching #leadershipcoaching #careertransition #worklifebalance #midlifecareer #womeninleadership

Diagnosed with cancer at 23 yrs old. Now I run a skincare brand with my sister. What changed? My mindset. It's not just thinking happy thoughts. It's about how you see the world. The right mindset can change: → Problems into chances → Knock-backs into comebacks → Tough times into bright ideas 11 mindset shifts that changed my journey: 1. Why me? → What can I learn? 2. I am stuck → I can find a way 3. I feel so lost → I'll explore new paths 4. I’m too busy → I'll prioritize my goals 5. It is too hard → This will strengthen me 6. I can't do this → I can ask for help 7. I am not ready → I'll grow along the way 8. This is too much → I'll tackle it step-by-step 9. I do not have time → I'll make time for this 10. This is not enough → I can find more resources 11. I am always failing → Each failure teaches me Remember: → Your mind listens to what you tell it. → Fill it with can-do thoughts. My go-to? "How can I make this happen?" It's pushed me through my toughest days. Which mindset shift clicks with you? Let me know in the comments. ♻️ Repost to inspire your network 🙋♀️ Follow me, Lauren Murrell, for more like this