The ‘Good Girl Myths’ Every Budding Entrepreneur Should Avoid

“Before we get ourselves into the dreaming, we block ourselves from trying.” No truer words were spoken by Brit + Co. founder Brit Morin at BlogHer Biz. Her journey from novice business owner to multi-hyphenate—CEO, venture capitalist, podcaster, and Selfmade founder, to name a few—birthed game-changing advice we’re still thinking about. 

For instance, women are often taught that being perceived as “good” or complacent is less harmful than an overly ambitious vibe. In actuality, this mindset can keep you from reaching your full potential. That being said, Morin encourages budding entrepreneurs to drop these five “good girl myths” sooner than later: Rules, Perfection, Logic, Harmony, and Sacrifice. 

“This is the starting line of clearing your mind,” she said. First, striving for perfection can delay success. In fact, the very definition of a perfectionist is at constant odds with the qualities that make a creative entrepreneur successful. 

Instead of being a rule follower, Morin recommends questioning the rules and taking risks that are outside expectations of you and your brand. As far as the “logic myth” is concerned, oftentimes what doesn’t make practical sense is where ideas thrive. Part of your entrepreneurial path is accepting and welcoming the flaws that come with your journey. 

Ultimately Morin says a successful entrepreneur should possess three qualities—confidence, nimbleness, and resilience, all of which will help you defeat those crippling cliches. 

“Confidence is believing in yourself and showing up. Faking it till you make it,” she said. If you’re lacking, start manifesting who and where you want to be months from now. Write it down too if your self-doubt feels inescapable. And while you’re at it, remember that there’s only one you. Comparing yourself to another entrepreneur or waiting for someone to give you the green light are common deterrents to success. According to Morin, mastering nimbleness and combining it with confidence is what will gradually kill your need for perfection. 

And finally, resilience is accepting that you will face adversity and forging ahead anyway. “The reality is you got to get back up and you have to take that next step forward,” said Morin, who also recommends sticking with anything—a mindset or habit—for seven days as preparation for the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.  

“If you practice something every day for seven days, you will find at the end that it wasn’t actually that scary, “ she added. When you succeed in one area, it permeates through the rest of your actions. Rewatch the second week of BlogHer Biz (above) for more of Morin’s boss tips, and register for BlogHer Biz if you haven’t already. We’ve got two more weeks left and you don’t want to miss it.