10 Actions for Awesome Women

I have met some amazing, awesome women. We all have – what makes them different

Well really – They are not different.

They have just stood up and followed their own path

It is time for you to walk the Awesome walk

Time to Stand up

No one else is going to build the life you want for you. No one else will even be able to completely understand it. This is your life, your time, your journey. Make a deal with yourself to be in it for the long haul, as your own best friend.

Imagine it

What does a knock-your-socks-off life look like for you? What is the job that seems so incredible you think it’s almost criminal to have it? What is the dream you don’t allow yourself to even consider because it seems too unrealistic, frivolous, or insane? Start seeing it. That’s the beginning of having it.

Take you breath away

Start doing things that take your breath away, that get the adrenalin flowing. Ask yourself “What’s the level action here that is going to take my breath away”? Your fears and your tough inner critic will chatter away in your head. That’s normal, and OK. When you hear that repetitive, irrational inner critic, remember, it’s just trying to protect you. Go for the gasps and you will learn how false your inner critic’s chatter really is.

Toughen UP

If you take risks, sometimes you’ll get a standing ovation, and sometimes you wont. Think of all the leaders and innovators you know and admire, is there any who don’t have enthusiastic fans as well as harsh critics? Get used to wins and losses, praise and pans, applause and recognition and on the other hand not quite make the mark. Work on letting go of the need to be liked and the need to be known as “a nice person”.

Blow your own Trumpet

OK I know you won’t, completely blow your own trumpet, but could you at least hold it and put it up to your mouth. There are guys around the office who share their opinions without thinking, who sprout off about their big (often unformed) ideas, telling everyone how good they are? Be more like them. Even just a little bit. Remember if you don’t tell how good you are no-one else will either.

Ready or not

I know, I know. Because you have such a high standards and you see every way that you could be more qualified, you notice every thing that is not perfected yet. While you are waiting to be ready, gathering more experience, sitting on your ideas, our friends referenced above are being hailed as industry experts, getting raises, and seeing their ideas come to life. They are no more ready than you and perhaps less. Jump in the sandbox now, and start playing full out.

Don’t wait for the invitation

Don’t wait to be praised, singled out, or even noticed. Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to lead. Don’t wait for someone to invite you to share your voice. No one is going to discover you.

Well actually, they will, but only after you have started stepping up into the leadership role, sharing your voice, blowing a trumpet or two, and doing things that scare the hell out of you.

See Feedback clearly

Most awesome women are humble and open to advice and guidance. We all want to gather feedback and advice. That’s OK, but recognise that some people won’t understand what you are up to (often because you are saying something new). Some people will find you not really their cup of tea. Some will feel threatened. Some people will want your talent or idea only for what is interesting or helpful to themselves. So interpret feedback carefully. Take it for what it is worth.

Regroup and Revive

If you start doing the things that take your breath away, doing what you don’t feel ready to do, and being more of trumpet player, you are going to be stretching out of your comfort zone – a lot.

You must, then, regularly do things that feel safe, cozy, and restore you. – Vent to friends when you need to and remember to acknowledge the steps you’ve taken.

Watch your tank to see how much risk-taking juice you have available to you. When it’s running low, stop, regroup and revive.

Take other Awesome women with you

Let other women know what kind of awesome talents you see in them, and why it’s so special. Call them into leadership and greater action. Let them know that they are ready. Watch out for thinking this will “take” too much time – when the truth is, it always has huge, often unexpected returns.

Clear the path by walking it, boldly.

Sue Mitchell

Your Personal Challenge Coach