Building Confidence
and Clarity

Francesca Hodgson, founder of We are Ambition and mother of two, writes exclusively for Mums Who Build about navigating motherhood and business building. She opens by emphasizing that "understanding you, building your self awareness is going to help you build and develop life's secret ingredient……CONFIDENCE."

Hodgson candidly describes parenthood as transformative: "the brain was chucked into a washing machine and what survived survived and the rest, well it went to mush!" She highlights how parenting skills—resilience, negotiation, leadership, and problem-solving—transfer directly to business contexts.

The article addresses the reality many mothers face: expensive childcare and misaligned school calendars create pressure to reinvent careers. Hodgson frames this challenge optimistically: "With every cloud there is opportunity!" She shares personal examples of building connections through parenting networks that became business partnerships and lifelong friendships.

The Core Framework: Four Steps to Clarity

Hodgson provides a practical four-step process:

1. Map Your Values: List what matters—family, honesty, financial independence, creativity, stability, health—then prioritize ruthlessly.

2. Evaluate Time Allocation: Assess whether daily activities align with stated values, identifying gaps between intentions and actions.

3. Set Achievable Goals: Build meaningful objectives grounded in values, whether ambitious or modest (clearing a wardrobe counts).

4. Embrace Change: Recognize that tweaking goals throughout life's unpredictability is acceptable and necessary.

She emphasizes that "Progress over perfection" should guide entrepreneurs and career-changers alike. Hodgson suggests that successful business builders infuse authenticity into their ventures, creating resonance through purpose-driven work.

Resources Recommended

• - Podcast: *Diary of a CEO* episode featuring Arianna Huffington, discussing whether women can have it all
• Book: *Shoe Dog* by Phil Knight (Nike's origin story), available in audio format

The article concludes with encouragement for readers to discover personal values and pursue goals aligned with those priorities, whether that involves starting a business or simply finding greater joy in everyday life.