Meeting the Challenges of Today's Successful Professional Woman
Updated: Sep 12, 2019
The WPN held a Power Circle event titled 'Powering Yourself to Success'. Each Circle was comprised of 2 Power Leaders and approximately 7 participants. Each Circle dealt with the same question: ""How can professional women deal successfully with the personal and professional challenges they face today?" The same 4 challenges were given to each group to discuss: Striving for Balance, Developing Self-Confidence, Gender Bias, and Age Discrimination. Each Circle vigorously discussed each challenge, and everyone contributed their opinions and thoughts.
This is a summary of the groups' very positive and constructive discussions:
1. Striving for Balance
Commitment to your own self-care.
Create boundaries for ourselves.
Delegate.
Prioritize our time. Don’t over commit – learn to say ‘no’.
Don’t strive for perfection.
Entitle yourself to self-acceptance – flaws and all.
2. Developing Self-Confidence
Positive self-talk; don’t be so critical of yourself.
Believe in yourself.
Surround yourself with positivity.
Celebrate your accomplishments – no matter how big or small.
Set realistic, achievable, flexible goals that fit into your big picture goal.
Ask yourself “What is the worst that could happen?”
Remove the fear of the unknown and keep a realistic perspective.
Force yourself out of your comfort zone.
Expand your ‘tribe’ to support you.
Practice techniques and tools to remain calm and centered – meditation, exercise,essential oils, etc.
Take compliments well.
Don’t take life too seriously – laugh at yourself.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Have a positive attitude- don’t complain, be grateful.
Present a confident façade- it may help you feel confident.
3. Gender Bias
Don’t accept it.
Be proactive and assertive without being accusatory.
Learn how to speak and participate so as not to be overlooked.
Take responsibility to be the best you can be.
4. Age Discrimination
Be yourself and be proud of who you are and what you have accomplished.
Resumes should focus on skills and accomplishments; remove dates.
Network so people know you and your capabilities.
Know your rights. #inspire