Previously, it was widely believed that your ability to achieve was fixed. You were either smart and could achieve great success or you weren’t and you were doomed to struggle.

In Mindset, Dweck explains that your mindset and your ability to achieve can develop over time and, if you choose to adopt a Growth Mindset, then there would be little to stop you from achieving great things.

By the end of this book you’ll know exactly how to shift to a powerful growth mindset, making this a Must-Read for all Female Entrepreneurs!

Quote: “Becoming is better than being.” Dr. Carol Dweck

Get the book > Mindset, by Carol Dweck

It is packed full of straight-forward wisdom and advice to help you turn your doubts into determination and, as the title promises, learn to feel the fear and do it anyway.

As a female entrepreneur or business owner, every day you’ll find yourself with a new challenge or situation that will ignite your doubts (of you let it) and test your courage. But you need to be able to rise to these occasions and opportunities, and this book shows you exactly how to do that.

If you are in a hurry to get moving, there’s also a great abridged version.

Quote: “Every time you encounter something that forces you to “handle it,” your self-esteem is raised considerably. You learn to trust that you will survive, no matter what happens. And in this way your fears are diminished immeasurably.” Susan Jeffers

Get the book > Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway

So many of the female entrepreneurs I speak and work with feel paralysed by the fear of putting anything out into the world that isn’t 100% perfect. But this is one of the most dangerous mindsets to have.

It’s impossible to build a business if you never share your work or wisdom with others. It’s impossible to grow if you’re not willing to make mistakes or embrace your weaknesses.

In sharing her studies into shame and vulnerability, along with her own personal experiences, Brené helps us all to become a little more courageous and start embracing who we really are, so we can share our gifts to help others.

Quote: “Healthy striving is self-focused: “How can I improve?” Perfectionism is other-focused: “What will they think?” Brené Brown

Get the book > The Gifts of Imperfection

Then I read the Chimp Paradox.

I love the way that Prof. Steve Peters explains how the brain works, and how responses in different situations.

In this book he answered so many of my questions – including the biggie: Why does confidence seem to be more of a problem for women?

It’s not the quickest read on the list, but definitely worth the effort.

Quote: “Measure success in life by effort and doing your best, then it is always in your hands to succeed and be proud of yourself.” Prof. Steve Peters

Get the book > The Chimp Paradox 

In most cases, they found that even women in prominent and senior positions can lack confidence and labour imposter syndrome.

This gives comfort to the rest of us female entrepreneurs, as we realise that we are not alone in experiences doubts and insecurities – but this needn’t hold us back from achieving our goals and dreams.

The book ends with a helpful list of recommended actions to take to build your own mindset and confidence.

Quote: “If you choose not to act, you have little chance of success. What’s more, when you choose to act, you’re able to succeed more frequently than you think. How often in life do we avoid doing something because we think we’ll fail? Is failure really worse than doing nothing? And how often might we actually have triumphed if we had just decided to give it a try?” Katty Kay

Get the book > The Confidence Code 

The Charge is one of the few exceptions.

Before you can pursue your dreams, you need to ensure that you are fired up and fully charged.

Running a business and pushing yours (and sometimes industry) barriers is exhausting work, so you need to have your mind fully in the game, backed by the behaviours and actions that will drive results.

Not sure how to get Charged? This book will guide you through.

Quote: “No matter your position, circumstances, or opportunities in life, you always have the freedom of mind to choose how you experience, interpret, and, ultimately, shape your world.” Brendon Burchard

Get the book > The Charge