Ok, my beautiful sisters! I lost this entry, so I’m actually re-doing it. I thought to write this the day I fell in love with the Range Rover Evoque. It was a couple of months ago at church. Before I saw the car I saw the woman. She was stunning, early 30’s, wearing a simple red dress but with THE most stunning zebra skin matching bag and shoes. Her hair was done in a full weave, and it was absolutely beautiful, make up was precise but very simple, she smelled great too. Her whole left hand was weighed down by a beautiful diamond ring with the same hand; she held a cute little girl’s hand who was maybe 3 or 4, back to the woman. She had flawless NW45 skin, where you could tell she drank the recommended 2 l of water a day. She had a beautiful toned body. She clearly looked after herself. Although she was gorgeous the one thing about her stood out more than anything, her confidence. She got into a white Range Rover Evoque, and I knew right then, that I was in love. I was in love with the image and I was like…Who is that woman? I want to BE that woman!
Of course I didn’t know her, or anything about her. But the overall picture surrounding her was just beautiful. I filled in possibilities in the blanks in my head of who she could be, what she could be about…in all the scenarios she was successful, and she can be anyone.
She is a mother and a wife, she is either, she is neither. She is a doctor, an academic, a hustler, a lawyer, a poet, an actress, a hair stylist and a chef. What sets her apart from the rest of the crowd is that she stands out. She is the cream of the crop and baws at her game. I have made the conscious decision to become that woman.
The 1st thing that you have to do is find out what your God-given talent or gift is. Maybe you’re super creative and have an impeccable taste for fabric. Maybe you have good discernment skills. Maybe you are naturally athletic. Maybe you’re great at persuading people to do what they wouldn’t normally do. These are the things that are uniquely special about you that you should maximize on. Simply because you got them for free and they are an inherent part of your nature. We all have these special qualities
So I now you have to sit down and think of realistic goals, WRITE THEM DOWN, and look at them every day so that you’re not distracted from the end result. I think it’s important to dream big, and you should have an ultimate end goal, but don’t have Loboutin goals when you can’t quite yet afford Nike. Pace yourself and cross out every goal as you achieve it.
Once you’ve figured that out what your goals are, it’s time to take time out to nurture your nature accordingly. Practice, practice, PRACTICE. Use whatever vices at your disposal. If you can take a flower arrangement course to better your wedding planning business do it! Once you’re great at doing that, cross it off the list.
Manipulate your surroundings and the changing climate to work for your goals and needs. I think you may need to do a bit of research with this. The internet is a wonderful tool, both for research and networking with like-minded people. If you’d like to be an archaeologist you can surf the net for institutions and organisations that offer information on scholarships worldwide. Forums are a great place for some things, if you’re a soap maker there is a number of forums where other people share their knowledge and ask questions. There are also forums for aspiring models etc. Don’t forget that face to face networking is just as important though! Going to things like conventions, exhibitions and conferences works a charm. Don’t forget “using” friends and family for their connections! You’ll never know who your great-aunt’s husband is related to that can offer you a family discount on rent in that complex where you want to open your boutique.
Strategise! Make sure your goals are set in place by a clear and concise strategy that you intend to execute.
Whilst you’re on your way remember that there will be haters! Galore! Be careful in your dealings with them. Be aware of them but don’t spend too much energy on them if any at all. Remember that their negative energy will naturally deflect from your positive energy if you just brush your shoulders off. Having said that it’s important, as the saying goes, to keep your enemies closer! That rings me on to my next point. The competition.
Make sure that you always know what your competitors are up to. Don’t lean on their swag too much but be aware of the advances that they make in your field. Particularly if you’re in business, don’t be left lagging behind while your competitors progress. More efficient than keeping an eye on the other team is my next point.
PROGRESS! Keep abreast of emerging local and global trends and always make sure that you grow. Progress may be a slow process but stagnation is no process at all. You can always be better than you were last year.
Nat King Cole sang that “The greatest thing, that you’ll ever know, is just to love and be loved in return”. Have a good family based support structure. Family in this case needn’t be blood, but anyone who fits your definition. Tell them your aspirations and share your progress, it’s always nice to have your own cheer team! If you have a team of people that love you to support you, you are likely to be happier.
Even when you become “that woman”, remember that you’re also a woman. A woman, who needs to be loved and complimented, cherished and desired. Why? Because it feels good that’s why. I believe that as long as you have a partner who in secure in him/herself, they too will help you to be the best you can be. I also believe that you can invest in a rewarding romantic relationship without having to compromise too much of yourself.
Having said that let go of ANY and ALL toxic and abusive relationships, the cheating boyfriend, the jealous friend and the discouraging cousin. Yes, trust me it’s easier said than done, but once it is, you’ll get over them and see that they were unnecessary obstacles.
Remember your “social responsibility” to other young women, encourage them and share what you’ve learnt. Bring your sisters along for the ride!
It sure does help to have a supreme omnipotent and omniscient God to guide you. Walk with Him and ask Him for clarity in making decisions. I personally, believe that He listens! The power of prayer is parallel to none!
So I could carry on and on, saying that you should also go to the gym and stop ingesting rubbish, but I won’t do that coz it late and I’m kind of sleepy lol!
I will say carpe diem, have FUN and be happy. The journey called life is filled with ups and downs that we should embrace and learn from, but I don’t believe journey to becoming “that woman” should be filled with more frowns and tears than smiles and laughs. If that’s the case then is back to the drawing board, to change some strategy execution techniques DON’T GIVE UP because HAPPINESS is always the ultimate goal.
I’m far from an expert at what makes someone successful, hell, I’m not even there yet! But there is one thing that I know for certain; I would really really like to become “that woman”. This is the path that I am hoping to take. I would like you my sisters to come with me. I’m sure it gets lonely at the top! I leave you with a quote from Dr. Seuss just to remind you that your road is unique, and only by accepting and loving the REAL YOU can you have a happy journey!
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
DISCLAIMER: I’m not really advocating consumerism and shallowness, rather the picture of what is immediately perceived to be success and its beauty.
Ciao, bisous et bon voyage
Ash
xxx
