Stop being so hard on yourself! Women often underestimate their worth. Learn why self-compassion—not self-criticism—is key to confidence, success, and leadership.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s talk about something too many women struggle with—often in silence. We are far too hard on ourselves. And not just a little bit every now and again. A lot, often.
If you’re like many women I’ve met, you’re probably much tougher on yourself than you’d ever be on anyone else. You focus on what you haven’t done, what you could have done better, or what didn’t go exactly right—while giving yourself little credit for all that you have done and did nail.
We women are often our own harshest critics. Not that men don’t experience self-doubt, but research shows that women are particularly prone to self-criticism and second-guessing ourselves. A study by the International Journal of Behavioral Science found that up to 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point, but women—especially those in leadership—are disproportionately affected.
It explains why, despite our best intentions to “forget perfect” and “live our best life” (and all the other aspirational messages that flood our social feeds), we often feel like we’re falling short. Way short. So short, in fact, that we live in quiet fear that others will eventually realize we’re not all we’re cracked up to be.
Women are often their own worst critics. Not that men don’t experience self-doubt, but research shows that women tend to evaluate themselves more harshly—even when they have clear evidence of their competence.
It explains why, despite our best intentions to forget perfect and live our best life, we often feel like we’re falling short.
Many capable, accomplished women live in the ‘not enough’ trap, wrestling daily with a nagging sense of inadequacy.
Not successful or experienced enough.
Not organized or disciplined enough.
Not talented or together enough.
Not fit or fashionable enough.
Not assertive enough.
Not leader-like enough.
Not competitive enough
Not confident enough!
We live in a world that simultaneously celebrates and condemns perfectionism. We’re bombarded with messages telling us to step up, shape up, and measure up to some impossible standard.
