As I work with women both privately and in a corporate capacity,  a core group of problematic behaviors and beliefs emerge.  It doesn’t matter what part of the country they come from, their education or background.  The same habits and tendencies hold them back both professionally and personally.   The tendencies are all the more obvious in the life of a direct selling leader.  It is the blessing and the curse of the industry.  The good news is that the first step to changing it is acknowledging it.  This business brings personal growth in a way that few others can.

1. Focusing on the “Brown” in Life
Focusing on what is wrong over what is right.  Focusing on what they didn’t accomplish or worse… what someone else did.  They spend too much time focusing on those things outside of their circle of influence.  This path leads to frustration and discontent.  Focus on what is working and what can be changed.  The rest is less important than you might think.

2. Holding on to toxic relationships.  
Often, people maintain relationships because of the length of the relationship or the nature of that relationship.  They do so even when that relationship is harmful to them personally.  Those relationships continue to poison them robbing them of both success and joy. Be selective who you allow into your inner circle.

3. Saying yes when we should say no.
Women often struggle with “No” guilt.  As a result, they say yes to everyone and everything.  The result is exhaustion and mediocrity.  Understand that each time the answer is yes, the answer is also no.  Plates can only hold so much.  Eventually you have to say no.  Unfortunately, it is usually to the important things by default.

4. Wanting everyone to like us.
Women, often struggle with self-validation so they turn to external validation for what they need. The gauge of their worth becomes the number of people who approve, like or agree. The lower that number, the lower their worth. Understand that someone will always take exception to the things you do.  They will read their own intention into your thoughts and words.  Speak them anyway.

5. Super woman syndrome
Women have an image of perfection and believe that they can do it all, be it all and have it all.  Perfect is an illusion and the pursuit of it robs our joy.  Put down the cape and relax.

~Michelle