As Catholics, we understand life isn’t random. Everything is in its place for a reason. And that includes you and the mission God has for you. So logically, adopting the Church’s view of “you” helps you comfortably step into your mission .

Of the four areas affecting your world view—faith, work, family, and self— it is the “self” that either dives into or retreats from your life mission, and perhaps your entrepreneurial endeavours.

And the “you” you are being in your business and life sets the tone for victory or defeat.

How you feel about yourself colors your interactions with others. It influences your business profitability. “Being” your best self attracts opportunities. When you aren’t, you repel them.

Barbara J. Winter, author of Making a Living Without A Job and The Small Business Bible, asserts there is a strong link between self-esteem and successful self-bossing. She encourages your attention, as self-esteem founds personal and professional goal achievement.

Barbara defines self-esteem as, “the high regard you have for yourself that begins to grow the moment that you give up wanting to be someone else and respect your own talents and temperament.”

Leaning in to the Church and her teachings increases your sense of personal dignity and meaning as a Catholic mompreneur. The Catholic Church offers a consistent message across all ages, genders, races, etc. of the true dignity of the human person.

The Catholic Church does not ask you to set aside your female organs to be a success. She embraces the fruitfulness of women and supports you in igniting your “feminine genius” without sacrificing what makes you whole and feminine.

Being a mother—whether a spiritual, natural, adoptive, foster, etc.—completes any woman. People who listen to the Church’s voice witness how she encourages a comprehensive woman’s development: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, relational.

In the the protective walls of the Church’s teachings, particularly around sexuality, women are free and safe to have a healthy, high regard for self. In business this translates into:

  • Stepping into uncomfortable areas to move to the next level
  • Willingness to take risks
  • Willingness to fail
  • Asking others for what you want and need
  • Increased thoughtfulness in interactions with clients and vendors
  • Gracious and positive attitude rather than an entitlement approach
  • Thinking big and believing having what you want is possible
  • Treating others with kindness and consideration
  • Better empathy with others allowing for creation of products and services that meet needs well
  • Commitment to customer service
  • Life-long learners

True self-esteem comes from respecting and living the truth about the human person. The Catholic Church has consistently taught the dignity of the human persona and defended it in all stages.

When you have something, it’s often hard to appreciate it. It is easy to underestimate the positive effect Catholicism has had on your self-esteem.

And show me someone with a truly successful business and personal life with plummeting self-esteem. Even those who appear outwardly successful, if they are operating out of step with the truths about the human person, float in a leaky boat destined to sink.

Catholic Mompreneur Biz and Mom Tip: Rate your self-esteem, or regard for self, on a scale of 1-10. Pray and meditate on how the Church can help you regard yourself (and others) more.

Copyright 2014 Christina M. Weber, MS