You have probably felt the weight of external expectations and the demands of balancing career and personal life and how it can feel overwhelming at times. But what if the key to thriving in life and leadership was not about doing more, but about redefining what freedom means for you?
Freedom comes in three powerful forms.
1- Freedom From: The first step in embracing true freedom is letting go of the things that hold you back. What would it look like to free yourself from the invisible chains of perfectionism? To release the need to always have everything under control or to silence that persistent inner critic telling you that you’re not enough. This has been a game changer for me. I now embrace “progress NOT perfection”. It’s looking more at the gain and not the gap. So often my quest for perfection was just holding me back and slowing me down.
This freedom means shedding the stress and burnout that come from constantly overextending yourself to meet everyone else’s expectations. It means releasing fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, and even fear of success. You deserve to lead from a place of inner peace, confidence, and seeing progress rather than exhaustion and self-doubt.
We all carry stories about who we are, and how we should show up. These stories can be shaped by past experiences, societal norms, or even family expectations. These stories keep us tied to old beliefs and keep us from our true potential. As women in leadership, these narratives often include themes like “I have to work twice as hard to prove my worth,” “I need to put others’ needs before my own,” or “I can’t afford to fail.”
But here’s the truth: these stories don’t define you, and they certainly don’t have to shape your future. What if you could rewrite them? What if you could release the old scripts that tell you leadership requires sacrificing your well-being or that success comes only through struggle? You can choose to hold yourself in compassionate self-awareness and not judge yourself. You can choose a new story that takes you from a victim to someone who is served by their story.
When you free yourself from these limiting stories, you open up to a new narrative—one where your success is defined by balance, joy, and fulfillment. You are not bound by the past, and you have the power to craft a future that reflects your true values and desires.
Take a moment to ask yourself: What stories are you ready to let go of? What new stories are waiting to be written?
2- Freedom To: Once you’ve freed yourself from the constraints holding you back, you open the door to new possibilities. This is the freedom to shape your life and career according to your own vision. The freedom to set boundaries, to say “no” when it doesn’t serve you, and to invest your energy where it matters most.
This is the freedom to redefine life and success on your terms. It’s no longer about checking off boxes on someone else’s to-do list or living up to outdated standards of leadership. Instead, it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values and your well-being. What new opportunities are waiting for you once you step into this freedom?
Maybe it’s the freedom to pursue that passion project you’ve put on hold, or the freedom to lead with more creativity and authenticity in your organization. Whatever it looks like for you, this is the space to create the life and career that truly fulfills you.
3- Freedom To Be: Finally, the most profound form of freedom: the freedom to be your authentic self. This is a freedom not just to do what we want, but a freedom to be who we were meant to be. As a leader, there’s incredible power in owning who you are, without the need to fit into molds or wear masks to meet other people’s expectations.
This freedom is about showing up as your whole self—both in your personal life and in the boardroom. It’s about acknowledging your unique strengths, embracing your imperfections, and leading with empathy and vulnerability.
This freedom creates space for innovation, stronger relationships, and greater impact. It’s about no longer hiding or apologizing for your brilliance but celebrating it. It’s about leading in a way that’s deeply aligned with your purpose and values, inspiring those around you to follow your lead.
As you reflect on these forms of freedom – freedom from the burdens that no longer serve you, freedom to pursue the life and leadership you desire, and freedom to be your authentic self- I invite you to consider: what will it take for you to embrace these freedoms in your own journey?