She Gets What She Wants: 20 Things Every Girl Boss Knows To Be True

Whether you just graduated college and started a new entry-level job, or you’ve been running this town for years, you know there are certain days when you're just not on your A-game.

You know, those days when no amount of aspirational vacation planning or scrolling marshmallow-themed Pinterest boards will get you out of your funk and into a better mindset.

Your best bet? Get your sh*t together and know you are killing it at this life thing. Sure, bad days happen to everyone — but true girl bosses know how to stay on top of it. Here are 20 things boss ladies constantly remind themselves:

1. I worked my ass off for this.

Whether it’s a great job, a super fit bod or the apartment of Pinterest dreams, you hustled hard to get to where you are today. Don’t ever forget that.

2. Take charge, and don’t apologize for it.

You got to where you are because you clearly know what the f*ck you’re doing. If people tell you otherwise or call you “bossy,” pull out your degree, business card, whatever — and show them who runs this.

3. The right mentor will keep you on your A-game.

Sometimes, we all need someone to look up to. Whether it’s your boss, a great classmate or even your best friend, you always have someone to aspire to and learn from. Those lessons will take you far.

4. Do what you love (you’ll regret it if you don’t.)

You probably spent all of college dreaming about having a job that would inspire you to wake up every morning and teach you something new every day. If you aren't there yet, strive to be a little closer to that job -- even if it means finding things that inspire you in your current one or beefing up your resume for a new one.

5. No one can set the bar higher for yourself than you.

You have lofty goals, dreams and aspirations. Every day should be a step in achieving them. Off-days are for those who lack ambition.

6. You don’t need to think like a man to own your power.

You don’t need a dick to be smart, funny, persuasive or a head b*tch in charge. Look no further than Anna Wintour, Indra K. Nooyi and Marissa Mayer.

7. You can only depend on yourself.

You don’t need a hubby to buy you diamonds, parents to buy your apartment or friends to validate your choices. Sure, all of those things are great, but you know when you come home and lie in bed every night, it’s all on you.

8. Your weaknesses are just as important as your strengths.

You know what you need to work on — whether it’s your ability to work in a team, your public speaking or how quickly you reply to emails — and you get it on point ASAP. You see yourself as a work in progress, and that’s a good thing.

9. Finding the right people can be hard.

Whether it’s hiring an assistant, finding a work buddy or a good date for Thursday night, you’re terrified of wasting time on people who don’t deserve it. There’s always a lot of pressure to get it right, and stepping up to the plate can be downright exhausting.

10. You can’t keep dating losers.

If his parents still pay for his Chipotle addiction and his idea of working late is leaving at 6:30, dump the good-for-nothing bastard and get yourself a bottle of wine and a night in with your vibrator instead. At least that way, you know your time is well-spent.

11. The pressure is real.

Whether it’s from your parents, your superiors or yourself, you always feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. Take it in, acknowledge it and release it — use it as motivation to do better, be better and plan better.

12. Life doesn’t give participation trophies.

If you want to be a boss, you have to work damn hard to get yourself there. Being a girl boss means you put in long hours, spend weekends chained to your laptop and make personal sacrifices to get to where you want.

13. There are many definitions of success.

You don’t have to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company to be successful. Your version of success can be landing that dream entry-level job or getting chosen to be a team leader on a project. All that matters is that you always have the ambition to be something more.

14. Loving fashion, makeup or the latest Ben and Jen split rumors doesn’t make you any less of a boss.

What you enjoy outside of work — tabloids, Candy Crush, pumpkin spice lattes — doesn’t reflect on your work ethic or your ability to be the HBIC. Desiring a fresh manicure or lipstick doesn't mean your priorities are out of order; it means you find time to get your sh*t done and prioritize yourself. That’s a skill.

15. You will have a case of the Mondays for a week straight, and that’s okay.

Even the best girl bosses have days where nothing seems to work. You won’t be judged on your bad day; rather, you'll be judged on how you can wriggle out of less-than-perfect situations. Keep that head up high and remember that happy hour is approaching fast.

16. R&R is just as important as working your ass off.

The time you have to yourself is just as important as the time that you spend hustling away. Girl bosses know their limits and when to push them, but they also know when it’s time to throw in the towel and let someone else take the reins while you recoup.

17. Never back down from an opportunity.

You never know where your next big thing (or paycheck) will come from, so never turn down any potential open doors. Every chance you get to learn something is a chance taken advantage of.

18. First impressions are everything.

You know that you might meet your future boss, your next client or even your next coworker anywhere — be it shopping for asparagus water at Whole Foods, on a red-eye flight or on a jog around the block. Always look ready, feel ready and be ready to dazzle.

19. The better you are, the more haters you’ll have.

People will be jealous of your talent and your girl boss attitude. Ignore anyone that makes you feel any less than the badass b*tch that you are. Remember, you represent something they want, and they’re giving you slack for it. Use it as a reason to work harder.

20. One person you can trust is worth a hundred people you’re unsure about.

A true girl boss knows that friends are hard to find, so she keeps a small handful at bay and keeps the rest of her social circle swarming. At the end of the day, even the most powerful woman needs a couple of kindred spirits that get her love of trashy TV and fried chicken.