You didn’t climb the corporate ladder in heels just to fall for someone who doesn’t text back, sis.
You’re smart. Ambitious. Slaying meetings by 10am and closing deals by 3. But when it comes to dating? Sometimes it feels like you’ve downloaded every app, answered every “So what do you do?” question, and still end up wondering if your love life is stuck in a never-ending Zoom call with no “Leave Meeting” button.
You’re not alone. Being a driven, working woman comes with its own set of dating speed bumps. Let’s talk about the five mistakes every career queen has either made or is dangerously close to making , and exactly how to dodge them like the boss you are.
1. Dating Like It’s a Side Hustle
The Mistake: You treat your love life like it’s a hobby , squeezed in between deadlines, gym time, and late-night emails.
The Real Talk: Love isn’t a Google Calendar event. When you half-show up for dating, you attract people who match that same energy: half-interested, half-available, and wholly not worth your time.
The Fix: If you want a relationship, own that desire. Make time. Be intentional. Schedule dates like you would a VIP client dinner , not like a last-minute coffee with that one coworker who always cancels.
Hot Take: You can prioritize love without compromising ambition. It’s not either/or , it’s and/both.
2. Falling for “Potential” Instead of Patterns
The Mistake: He doesn’t quite communicate… or show up… or understand your schedule , but hey, he has potential, right?
The Real Talk: Sis, you don’t need another project. You already have Q2 goals and a boss breathing down your neck. If he’s inconsistent now, no promotion in his behavior is coming.
The Fix: Watch patterns, not promises. Is he consistently respectful of your time? Does he cheer your wins , or feel low-key threatened by them? Trust actions, not potential.
Rule of Thumb: If you have to coach him like an intern, he’s not boyfriend material.
3. Overthinking Everything Because You’re Used to Control
The Mistake: You dissect every text, every emoji, every pause , because control is your comfort zone and ambiguity is your nemesis.
The Real Talk: You’re a strategic planner, not a psychic. Stop trying to “figure him out” like he’s a quarterly report. Dating is messy, and not everything needs a 10-point analysis.
The Fix: Give yourself permission to just feel things. Not every date needs a SWOT analysis. Take off the CEO hat for a sec , your heart doesn’t need a business plan, it needs presence.
Reminder: Emotional intelligence is your superpower , but don’t use it to gaslight yourself.
4. Wearing the “I Don’t Need Anyone” Badge 24/7
The Mistake: You lead with independence like it’s your dating profile headline. “I’m successful, busy, and totally fine alone.” (Read: “Back off, I’m guarded.”)
The Real Talk: Independence is sexy, but vulnerability is magnetic. If your vibe screams “no room at the inn,” even the good ones won’t knock.
The Fix: Let people in , a little. Being soft doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sharing your dreams, fears, or even your weird obsession with true crime podcasts makes you real. And real is irresistible.
PSA: You can be powerful and emotionally available. Beyoncé cries too, boo.
5. Waiting for the “Perfect Time” to Date
The Mistake: “After this promotion… after I move… after I launch this new project…” Sound familiar?
The Real Talk: If you’re always waiting for things to “settle down,” you’ll be waiting until your retirement party. Life’s never chill , but love doesn’t need a perfect setting, just a present you.
The Fix: Start where you are. Swipe right. Say yes to that coffee date. Let love find you mid-chaos, mascara-smudged and late to your next meeting. That’s where real romance lives , in the unpolished in-between.
Note to Self: The best things in life rarely arrive according to schedule.
Final Thought:
You don’t have to choose between being successful and being loved. You get to be both. You’re not “too much” , you’re just waiting for someone who gets all of you, and still calls back.
So tell me , which mistake hit home? Or did I just read your whole dating diary? Drop your thoughts below. Let’s talk.