More and more females are not only entering the workforce while also raising a family, but they are excelling at climbing the corporate ladder into leadership and beyond. Not just content anymore to rise through already paved ranks as dragons, many female entrepreneurs are carving their own pathways to success in their own style. As an added bonus, women possess many inherent traits that men might benefit from learning. 

Being a powerful leader in today’s workplace requires skills that were previously ignored, for the most part. One idea was that to be successful, one has to work nonstop, even putting family at a distant second to your company’s success. The truth is that studies repeatedly show a reboot formula that people require in order to maximize efficiency. Working for 52 minutes followed by a 17-minute break is ideal for a reset and recharge that is desperately needed. In the bigger picture, it’s important for female entrepreneurs to carve larger slices of downtime into their lives. There needs to be a separation of work and home. 

Taking care of oneself, both physically and mentally, is often overlooked. The same way that airlines suggest putting your own oxygen mask on before trying to help others is a metaphor that can be used anywhere. You aren’t much good to anyone else if you first don’t take care of yourself. Whether it means alone time with a book or going for a daily jog, it’s important for your wellness to check in with yourself periodically and find out what you need. 

As a woman, you carry a lot on your shoulders because your peers and future leaders are also affected by the choices you make. Remember that you are on the same side and do whatever is possible to help empower other women. It isn’t the man’s credo of dog eat dog when it comes to female empowerment. When you help each other succeed, you can all succeed. This act of paying it forward will also help down the road when you, in turn, need someone’s support. In the world of business, it’s who you know, and networking is always a plus. 

As a woman, it’s important to know that we have a medical history of ailments due to our internalizing of stress. If we don’t silence our inner critic, we risk physical ailments like heart disease and other stress-related issues. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion at every turn. It will not only make you more empathetic and a better leader, but it will also keep you healthy.