Monday
19Jan2009
A Call to Ambitious Women Entrepreneurs...Stop Apologizing
Monday, January 19, 2009 at 6:17AM
I've been noticing a growing epidemic among some women entrepreneurs recently.
And I've been guilty of it myself.
Women who are building their brands and their businesses are apologizing for marketing and promoting themselves.
Why?
Because they think it's bragging and they don't want to get criticized for it.
I wonder why they feel this way? I'm thinking it's because when they have celebrated their success publicly in the past, they've gotten a little flack for it.
So I'm going to make this pledge as a woman growing her business and I'll hope you'll join me by making the pledge yourself (this is not limited to just women but I haven't really noticed this apology affliction in a lot of men in my experience).
I, Jessica Smith, hereby pledge to:
To remind myself of these promises I've made I am wearing a simple navy blue bracelet as a constant reminder. I will start a photo wall here at Jessica Knows of photos of every person that decides to do the same. Please post your photo of you wearing a navy blue bracelet in the No Apologies Flickr group to take the pledge.
Please let me know if you'll take the pledge with me by saying so in the comments below.
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And I've been guilty of it myself.
Women who are building their brands and their businesses are apologizing for marketing and promoting themselves.
Why?
Because they think it's bragging and they don't want to get criticized for it.
I wonder why they feel this way? I'm thinking it's because when they have celebrated their success publicly in the past, they've gotten a little flack for it.
So I'm going to make this pledge as a woman growing her business and I'll hope you'll join me by making the pledge yourself (this is not limited to just women but I haven't really noticed this apology affliction in a lot of men in my experience).
I, Jessica Smith, hereby pledge to:
- Promote other women and celebrate their success with them.
- Not feel threatened when other women in my niche are reaching their goals...a success for one is a success for all.
- Collaborate with other ambitious women as much as I can, finding synergies and ways to work together.
- Respond with a simple "Thank You" when someone publicly compliments me rather than offering an apology, a retort, or a rationalization.
- Not consciously or subconsciously bring someone else down because they have something (success or otherwise) that I think I should have.
- Continue to embrace each day as a new opportunity with enthusiasm and a positive attitude (no matter what obstacles may stand in my way.)
- Surround myself with other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to network with, support, and cross-promote one another.
- To reiterate. I will not apologize for my success, my celebration of it, or my determination to become even more successful. And I will applaud those women who do the same.
To remind myself of these promises I've made I am wearing a simple navy blue bracelet as a constant reminder. I will start a photo wall here at Jessica Knows of photos of every person that decides to do the same. Please post your photo of you wearing a navy blue bracelet in the No Apologies Flickr group to take the pledge.Please let me know if you'll take the pledge with me by saying so in the comments below.
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Reader Comments (11)
[...] I came across a wildly popular post from superblogger Jessica Knows, “A Call to Ambitious Women Entrepreneurs… Stop Apologizing.” In it, she points out a nasty habit so many of us have — apologizing for our [...]
Hello Jessica,
You've hit the nail on the head with this subject. I apologize all the time, even sometimes when I have no need to do so!
And really, I'm just as ambitious as the next person, (be it a male or a female).
I'm happy when friends, family members, or fellow artists have success in whatever they challenge themselves with, be it big or small, so why can't I offer the same feelings to myself?
Must learn to shed the skin of early conditoning I suppose, and it starts here.
Thanks for putting out what needs to be heard, (or read, in this case)!
Cheers to all,
Karen
This is fantastic article.
I coached my 26 year old daughter as she quit job, enrolled in graduate school and then found another job that allowed her to balance work and professional development.
Much of what I said to her are contained in your points. Regardless of our chosen professions, we all are entrepeneurs of "our own life". Let us all pledge to share this with our daughters, young or old.
Keep up the inspiration.
Thank you. Dale....
Dale Carters last blog post..http://daleblogg.blogspot.com/2009/01/danger-of-hypothermia-for-your-aging.html" rel="nofollow">Danger of hypothermia for your aging parents
Yes, yes; a thousand times yes! I am taking the pledge and will stop apologizing for my success. First brag: putting on my blue ribbon by myself.
Paula McConnells last blog post..http://paulamcconnell.wordpress.com/2009/01/29/deadline-next-week/" rel="nofollow">Deadline Next Week?
[...] Jessica Knows [...]
[...] A Call to Ambitious Women Entrepreneurs…Stop Apologizing (jessicaknows.com) [...]
[...] I want to direct you to a fabulous post by writer/blogger Julie Roads – please check out this great post, “You have the right NOT to remain silent about how cool you are,” which itself was inspired by two other great posts by women bloggers, Bonnie Marcus and Jessica Smith. [...]
[...] at Jessica Knows realized this and started the blue bracelet project. She is asking women to start talking about how awesome they are! Mothers work very hard on a [...]
I am going to make myself a navy blue bracelet today.
Kims last blog post..http://prairie-mama.blogspot.com/2009/02/public-apology.html" rel="nofollow">Public Apology.
[...] was particularly poignant was a piece on apologizing written by Cristina Adams and inspired by Social Media Strategist Jessica Smith. Part of it said: We're sorry when we win, when we lose, when we promote ourselves and our [...]
This was one of my favorite articles of 2009. Period.
I thought I had commented before? Ack!
I have always struggled with accepting the fact that I'm a successful person, and have spent my whole life feeling slightly guilty and apologizing for, or making excuses for everything. This goes for both personal and online life.
I am making a resolution for 2010. Take pride in myself and what I have accomplished!