How Successful Women Achieve Great Goals
I met one this weekend: a smart, happy, confident, energetic, successful woman (and she’s thin, too!). Christie Grace is a jazz singer and owner of a jewelry store on Bowen Island, British Columbia - I’m a little intimidated by how self-assured and natural she is. She’s who I want to be when I grow up.
That said, I think her fire and success can be achievable by us “normal” women - and I found out how. There’s this book called This is Not the Life I Ordered: 50 Ways to Keep Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down by Deborah Collins Stephens, Jackie Speier, Michealene Crisini Risley, and Jan Yanehiro. Click on the book cover for more information about this book and the authors.
It’s full of inspirational quips and tips for women - such as this quotation from Barbara Walters:
“It’s not who you are that holds you back; it’s who you think you’re not,” said Walters.
I’ve picked out a few choice morsels from This is Not the Life I Ordered, to encourage women to focus on goals and work towards dreams.
How Successful Women Achieve Great Goals
Identify what’s holding you back. Think about Barbara Walters’ quotation about what holds you back. Is it who you think you’re not? Is it fear of being pushy, wrong, or not good enough? You don’t necessarily have to conquer your fears right now, but I encourage you to simply be aware of what you’re afraid of.
Tune in to your talents. “Are you using your talents? Have you let other people talk out you of pursuing something you’re good at? Have you bowed to pressure and abandoned a project that was meaningful to you?” write the authors in This is Not the Life I Ordered. To be a successful woman and achieve your goals, you need to identify and stay focused on your talents.
Clean up your “to-do” list. Get rid of the things you don’t need to do, that don’t matter, that don’t create value, and that don’t make a difference. Figure out how you’re taking responsibility that isn’t yours. Only do the things that take you in the direction of your dreams.
Turn “woe is me” into action. These writers quote poet Dorothea Brande: “All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail.” No matter what you’re struggling with or how defeated you feel, concentrate on taking action. Here’s some great advice from This is Not the Life I Ordered: “We have found that if we approach transitions, whether voluntary or involuntary, with these beliefs - (1) there is good news, (2) we’re in charge, and (3) help exists - it make all the difference in whether we feel overwhelmed or encouraged.”
Take back your power. You give away your power when you say or think things like, “Oh, I couldn’t do that!” and “I don’t deserve this,” and “How could anyone find me attractive, or hire me, or pay me that much money?” Take back your power by finding the support and guidance you need and overcoming your habit of being your own worst critic. Keep picturing what you want out of life and where you want to be in two, five, or ten years.
More great quips and tips for women from strong women in history:
“If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.” - Anita Roddick (founder of The Body Shop).
“So life changes and you have to change too. I don’t like change, but I’ve learned you just put your hands over your eyes and step off the edge.” - Linda Ronstadt (singer).
“I learned that I can’t do anything about the length of my life, but I can do something about its width and its depth.” - Letty Cottin Pogrebin (writer and cofounder of Ms. Magazine).
“As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” - Katharine Hepburn (actress).
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Comment by Michaelle on 8 August 2008:
I love stories about adjusting your attitude so you can go out and do great things. I have a friend who, at the age of 50, decided she wanted to run a marathon. She trained for months and then she ran–and finished–the Marine Corps Marathon in DC. I was so proud of her that I asked her to write a post for my blog over at AdventurousWomen.net.