how women business owners can conquer low self-esteem [2]

Jennifer Read Hawthorne, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul, believes that learning to like and even love yourself is a lifelong process. "You can surround yourself with competent leaders, but you can never really compensate for low self-esteem. Sooner or later, you will be discovered." Hawthorne recommends several tactics for boosting self-esteem:

1. MAKE SURE YOUR BUSINESS IS YOUR PASSION. Your low self-esteem could be tied to not following your heart.

2. ASSOCIATE WITH PEOPLE WHO SEEM GENUINELY HAPPY. Happy people are usually at peace with themselves.

3. ASK FOR HELP. Don't try to work on your issues alone.

Warwick agrees it's important for women to pursue their passions and also believes women need to manage their expectations. The perspective that "only perfection is good enough" limits advancement in both business and life.

"Re-examine what you think of as 'good enough.' For many high-achievers, the concept of basic competence has mutated into flawless performance," says Warwick. "Take a deep breath sometimes, and stop when something is 80 percent or 90 percent perfect, then start on the next adventure. It's enormously liberating."

Anderson says the turning point for overcoming her own self-esteem issues began in college, when she started joining groups that interested her. "I had to move past my insecurities and live the life I knew I was capable of living." In business, getting involved and meeting people is still her best strategy.

"Get to know people [with] similar interests," Anderson suggests. "If you find them fascinating, you must be pretty fascinating yourself."

Self-respect: Cynthia Anderson overcame confidence issues to build her company's sales to more than $1 million.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: DO you know an entrepreneur who deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments? (Maybe it's you?) OPEN: The Small Business Network From American Express & Entrepreneur magazine's Woman of the Year Contest will honor one outstanding woman entrepreneur as Woman of the Year. For more details and to enter, visit www.entrepreneur.com/womanoftheyear. The deadline for entry is August 31, 2005.

ALIZA PILA, SHERMAN (www.mediaegg.com) is an author, freelance writer and speaker specializing in women's issues.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Entrepreneur Media, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group