If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that empowerment isn’t something you’re born with or something someone hands to you (at least not for us). It’s a mindset, decision you make every day to show up for yourself, to honor your boundaries, and to embrace your unique way of thriving in a world that often tells you to do it differently.
We didn’t always feel empowered. For years, we bought into the hustle narrative: push harder, do more, prove your worth. We ignored the signals our body was sending us: exhaustion, burnout, depression – but that little voice was whispering, “There has to be a better way.” It wasn’t until we hit a wall that we realized: empowerment isn’t about working harder; it’s about working according to our rhythm and honoring ourselves in the process.
Now, we see things differently. The mindset of an empowered woman isn’t about perfection or constant productivity. It’s about leading with intention, trusting your instincts and redefining success on your own terms.
Shifting the Belief System
One of the biggest shifts we had to make was unlearning the idea that success meant sacrificing ourselves for the job. The constant hustle, the need to prove our value – it was a cycle that left us depleted. We realized that true empowerment starts when you stop living by other people’s rules and start creating your own. For us, that meant learning to listen to our body, trusting our intuition and setting boundaries that protect our energy and our time.
Here’s what that shift has looked like for us:
- For so long, we felt guilty for taking a break – like stepping away meant we were failing. But we’ve learned that rest isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. Now, we schedule rest into our day as intentionally as we schedule meetings. Whether it’s 10 minutes of mindfulness (e.g. quick meditation with intentional deep breathing) between tasks or taking an afternoon to recharge, we’ve seen how much more focused and productive we are when we honor our need for rest.
- There was a time when failure felt like a personal flaw, something to avoid at all costs. But now, we see failure as a teacher as cheesy as this sounds. Every misstep has taught us something valuable – about our resilience, our creativity, and our ability to grow. The empowered mindset isn’t about avoiding failure anymore; for us, it’s about seeing it as part of our journey now.
- This one was hard for us: We used to think saying “no” meant we were letting people down. But we’ve come to understand that every “no” to something that drains us is a “yes” to something that fuels us. Whether it’s declining an unnecessary meeting or protecting our time for deep work, setting boundaries has been one of the most empowering things we’ve done for myself.
- We live in a world that celebrates logic and data, but we’ve found that some of our best decisions have come from trusting our gut. Whether it’s a big career move or a small decision about our day-to-day, listening to that inner voice has helped us to lead with authenticity and confidence.
- Success used to look like a never-ending to-do list and constant output. Now, it looks like balance. It looks like doing work that aligns with our values, taking care of our well-being, and building a life that feels fulfilling – not just impressive for others from the outside.
Living Empowered Every Day
The biggest lesson we’ve learned is this: empowerment isn’t something you achieve once and then keep forever. It’s a practice, a mindset you choose every single day. Some days, it’s easy. Other days, it’s a challenge. But every day, it’s worth it. Because when you lead from a place of empowerment, you don’t just thrive, you inspire others to do the same.
So here’s our question for you: What belief about success or leadership are you ready to let go of? What new mindset are you ready to embrace?
Our take: The world doesn’t need you to lead like anyone else. It needs you to lead your way. And that starts with choosing empowerment – today, tomorrow and every day after that ♥️
LHW x
