Home Articles Podcast YouTube What People Are Saying

All Articles

_____________________________________________________________________________________

BROWSE CATEGORIES
Books Business Entrepreneurs Goal Achievement Leadership Life Mastery Mindfulness Mindset Personal Growth Podcast Podcast Guest Episodes Purpose Success Wellness YouTube
BROWSE CATEGORIES
Books Business Entrepreneurs Goal Achievement Leadership Life Mastery Mindfulness Mindset Personal Growth Podcast Podcast Guest Episodes Purpose Success Wellness YouTube
Were you raised on Princess stories in your culture? Is there some tradition or societal norm that was part of your upbringing that sent you messages about what it looked like to be "acceptable" or loved as a female? Often, these expectations meant that you should be sweet, kind, and quiet. But this expectation also carried with it the message that you should abandon your strength and honor the voice and needs of others above, and to the exclusion of, your own. My neighbor, who is the father to one daughter who is around the age of 7, recently asked me this question, "Annie, what should I be doing to empower my daughter to speak up for herself and realize she can do or be anything she wants?" He was clearly distressed about this as he explained how he watched the women in meetings at his workplace hold back, silence themselves, and diminish their abilities or worth. He even commented on one particular woman who he described as "way smarter and more capable" in the company than himself, but that she didn't apply for positions she was qualified for or speak up in management meetings. Now this guy is a big, strong, masculine guy who came from a military background. I was instantly impressed that he had a sincere interest in seeing women step more fully into their power and how this would benefit everyone, male and female alike. He didn't seem to be intimidated by the fact that women he works with would most likely beat him out at promotions if given the opportunity. But these women were staying quiet. He feared what messages society would give his little girl and how she was probably already learning that to have a role in the world she needed to be pretty, not ruffle feathers, and let everyone's voice be heard . . . except her own. Here's my challenge to you: Step into your power and stop fearing what that power holds for you. Harness both your feminine AND your masculine energies. That means approaching the world with caring and kindness. But ALSO with strong rules around your right to be BIG and LOUD. Big and loud doesn't have to be obnoxious. Big and loud can be empowering and inspire others. It can help others find their own voices. Your willingness to stand out and stand up is exactly what the world needs. So show up. Show up fully. Throw back your shoulders and show your audience how to embrace their lives, their businesses, and rise to their full potential, too. The voices of others matter. But remember this: your voice matters. And not harnessing and embodying your full, beautlful, radiant, loud, and bright self means that you are allowing all other voices in the world to matter more than yours. As for my neighbor's daughter? I gave him a list of newfangled fairy tales to read her where the girl is the heroine. We talked about activiities that would embolden her. We talked about words he could use with her and teach her so that she wouldn't diminish herself into nothing more than a reflection or a shadow of what others needed her to be. And maybe, just maybe, we are all changing the world . . . one little girl, one woman, one business, and one voice at time. And from there, we move on to impact millions. Together. Collectively. As a team of strong, empowered, and LOUD Sisters. The louder, the better.
Why Are Women Uncomfortable Being Big and Loud?

Ā 

Were you raised on Princess stories in your culture?

Is there some tradition or societal norm that was part of your upbringing that sent...

READ MORE >>
How to Become More Confident in Yourself in 3 easy tips, for entrepreneurs who need to do video, go live, and get in front of their audiences
How to Become More Confident in Yourself (3 Easy Tips!)

Ā 

Does the idea of doing a Facebook or Instagram LIVE make you break out in cold sweats?

Is a lack of confidence standing in your way to s...

READ MORE >>
Annie Bauer, Digital Biz Entrepreneur in her home with her pups
3 Tips for Staying Calm While Confined to Your Home

Ā 

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has changed the way we live and work in a short period of time. Many of you are dealing wi

...
READ MORE >>
Annie Bauer, Coach and Digital Biz Strategist for Online Entrepreneurs near her home in Asheville, NC writing about Mindset
Mastering Your Mindset is Critical to Your Success and Satisfaction in Life

Ā 

There is so much more talk about ā€œmindsetā€ these days than there was ten years ago. Or maybe itā€™s just because Iā€™m a coach and traine

...
READ MORE >>
Annie Bauer, Digital Biz Strategist, in a suede Lucky Brand jacket, one of her signature hats, and a LuckyBrand dress
5 Simple Ways to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds

Ā 

What if I could give you one simple habit that could radically change your life?

In The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins shows us how ta

...
READ MORE >>
Annie Bauer, Digital Biz Strategist and lover of hats, laughing and smiling while waving her cowgirl hat near her home in Asheville, North Carolina
What Women Are Afraid of and How We Can Become Fearless

(updated March 3, 2025)

In her book, Becoming Fearless . . . in Love, Work, and Life, Arianna Huffington does an expert job of weaving ...

READ MORE >>
Annie Bauer, Digital Biz Strategist for Women Online Entrepreneurs, at her home
How to Live a Wholehearted Life

(updated March 3, 2025)

This is your guidebook to embracing who you are, loving yourself, and stepping out in enough-ness.

In The Gift...

READ MORE >>
Annie Bauer, Digital Biz Strategist, on the book Resilient by Dr. Rick Hanson
The Four Core Principles to Becoming More Resilient--and How to Grow This Trait

(updated March 3, 2025)

Looking for books that will help you on your personal growth journey?

This one is a must-read for anyone wanting t...

READ MORE >>

1 2
Author
Annie Bauer, your back office best friend building your online business. I help purpose-driven women build profit-driven online businesses in a faster, easier way so that they can have more freedom and income.

Annie Bauer

Annie Bauer, your Shotgun Rider and biggest advocate for your happiness, your dreams, and your potential.

The Smart Better Life Podcast, Listen and Learn on the Go

Click Here to Browse Podcast Episodes

Want to write and teach others about what you know? Use Kajabi! Westie dog at typewriter with papers and books stacked all around

Click here to learn how to reach more people with your knowledge

Are you a Creator, Coach, or Educator?Writing CAN be profitable! You can use the same platform I'm writing this blog on to create paid communities, courses, and audio files for people who want to follow your work and learn.

Click here to learn how to bring your knowledge to a wider audience

Return to Articles Home Page
Contemporary luxury home office with desk, leather sofa, plants

Check out the full list of all my favorite tools that makes my business hum!

Recent Posts

ā€œSpeedā€ is my word for 2025: How Iā€™m Getting Comfortable with Taking Fast Action and Making MoreĀ Mistakes
business entrepreneurs goal achievement
Separating Your Self-Worth from Your Work
business life mastery podcast
Why You're Already Worthy (Despite What You've Been Told)
life mastery mindset podcast
Picture of Annie at her desk with laptop, coffee mug, and plant

Back to Articles Home Page

Featured

_________________________________

ā€œSpeedā€ is my word for 2025: How Iā€™m Getting Comfortable with Takin...

5 Secrets to Start or Scale Your Business with a Digital Course

Want to join us?

Join a growing movement of MindShifters who are building better brains and reaching bigger goals.Ā  Sign up for The Smart Better Life LettersĀ šŸ¤“Ā šŸ§ .

I share actionable tips, science-backed strategies, and my own insights for improving your wellbeing, productivity, and results in business and life.

Five minutes a week could change your life.