Empowered Women Empower Women

I am so excited that I get to open up an event next week- the anniversary event for a women's networking group! I'm also equally nervous... there are 85 women registered to attend! And because it's the group anniversary, they are doing things big. You can't even imagine how honored I felt when they came to me and asked me to open up the night. I was humbled. Girl, Dream It was what inspired them to ask me, as they believe in the mission of this blog, which celebrates women and our achievements. I mean, how amazing is that? I'm not going to give away my plan, not until after the event next week, but I will say this... what motivated the organizers to ask me was that I promote two big ideas:
1) Ladies, dream big!
2) You are enough.

When we believe that second ideal, that we are enough, we have the courage to go after those big dreams. When we believe that we matter, we suddenly have a voice. When we have a voice, we influence change; we make things happen.

So often, when I look around, I see women making themselves small... we don't believe that ideal that we're enough. We compete with other women instead of empower them, and we self-sabotage, devaluing our worth and achievements. Empowering other women doesn't mean there is less power for you. Surely two voices are stronger than one. Imagine the power of a whole group of women. Whether we are stay-at-home moms, or VPs of large corporate companies, we all play a vital role in society. Recognizing that there is strength in diversity instead of homogeny, we have a louder voice of influence with a wider scope.

But before we can have any kind of voice, we need to make ourselves big, not small. We need to take ownership of our achievement, we need to value ourselves.

1. Take the compliment. How many times do we dismiss credit for a good business pitch? When we're told we look good, how often do we shrug and say that our hair didn't really do what we were going for that day? How many times do we say, "Oh, I'm just a stay-at-home mom?" Own it! Be proud of your achievement. You can rock it in business. You can look hot. You're not just raising kids- you're raising adults that will some day go out in the world to be global influencers because of how they were raised. Be damn proud. "Take the compliment. They mean it, or they wouldn't say it." -Jordan Sarah Weatherhead
2. Bet on yourself. Women are the hardest workers I know. And no, I'm not devaluing men, here. I mean, I think my husband is a rockstar and works incredibly hard. But we work, maintain a house, run kids all over the planet, we feed our families, volunteer in our schools and communities, we go to school and get educations, we manage finances... oh the list goes on. Recognize your hard work and and be confident in yourself. You can do anything you truly put your mind to. "Whatever you give a woman she'll make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her." -Erick S. Gray
3. Be yourself. Be genuine and authentic. Know your role and purpose and don't try to be someone else. You weren't made to be a duplicate. You're unique on purpose- the only version of you that has ever been and will ever be created. Own your ideas and your dreams. No one will ever do things the same way that you will. "Who you are is what you have been. Who you will be is what you do now." Buddah
4. Be brave. Don't let fear run your life. Don't let it hold you back. So often our worries of the unknown are unfounded. They're the voice of doubt that has become the white noise in our heads. We're so used to thinking we can't that we're never brave enough to try... to believe that we can. Break the rules, raise the bar, step out of your comfort zone. "Well behaved women rarely make history." - Eleanor Roosevelt
5. Be a dreamer. Not just by night, but by day. Quiet your mind and listen to that small voice inside you. What were you made to do? Who were you made to be? Dare to dream big.
6. Stand up for yourself. Don't cower. When you respect yourself, you love yourself. Demand respect from others. And stand up for the women around you. Be fierce. "Truly powerful women don't explain why they want respect. They simply don't engage those who don't give it to them." -unknown

   "I am a goddess, a glorious female warrior, Queen of all that I survey. Enemies of equality and fairness hear my womanly roar." unknown

Don't be small. Know who you are. Know you are enough.