It happened. You walked into work one day and said "what am I doing here"? You worked to achieve your goals as a woman in business and now you're burned out and bored to death...or just totally unhappy.
You're beginning to come to grips with the reality for many women in business. You're not having fun. In fact, it's pure drudgery. You've worked hard to get where you are as a business woman and yet it doesn't seem satisfying anymore.
It's a common problem many women in business have. We reach a certain age where we're tired of just working to get ahead and we want more purpose and passion in our lives.
If that decribes you, there is a way to change that picture. But you have to be willing to take action.
Most of us don't really know our purpose in life, but we want to find it.
The only way to find it is to experiment. Join a new organization. Join a church. Go to meetings that help you explore your spiritual gifts. OR...just go do something good for someone.
That's right. Volunteer!
We all have gifts and talents. The key is to marry your talent with something you enjoy doing with something you think is worthwhile...something that will make a difference in the world in some small way.
For example, if you are a marketing executive you know that you could help a non-profit raise funds because you have the talent. However, that may not be something that really gives you joy. It's what you do for a living, but it's not what gives you great happiness.
I believe to live a life of purpose and passion you must find the way to blend those gifts and talents with something that accomplishes a great purpose and gives you joy at the same time. After all, if it's not fun, you won't do it long.
My greatest joy comes from entertaining in my home. I love having people over and getting to know new people. So, I created my own version of a fundraiser that invited women to my home for dinner. I asked those women to invite business women friends. We all contributed food and drink and $25 toward a fundraiser and we all had a great time.
What was the fundraiser? To contribute money for working women who are too poor to raise the deposit money required to get into their own home.
It never occurred to me until I participated in "adopt a family" for Christmas that the greatest problem many working women who are poor have is they can't raise the funds to put down triple rent. If they have no credit or poor credit they are often required to put down a deposit, pay the last months rent plus current rent. For a $500 apartment that's $1500. How's a woman who makes $1000 a month going to do that? Then there is the phone, the power, the water, etc.
When I learned the problem, I was able to create a solution.
That's why I say...just start by volunteering. Take action and you'll find the problems you can help solve.
Then combine your gifts to create a solution that gives you joy, passion and purpose.
God bless. Have a great day.
If you want to get more information, articles or ideas for women in business go to WomenCorp.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
How Woman Entrepreneurs Who Want More Get More
If you read the papers, magazines or any articles about corporate America, you'll notice a lot of companies are laying off employees. And I don't mean just those who were mediocre workers. Anybody could get the axe.
I know. Some of my best friends who were high powered corporate women eecutives have experienced layoff. It is the downsizing of corporate American. And business women are not just leaving, but they are getting ahead by starting their own business. After all, why not? In this internet age, small women entrepreneurs can compete very successfully with the big guys.
But what is the real effect for business women? Is it dismal, lean times? Or...do they take the opportunity to re-evaluate their lives and create a whole new opportunity to follow their dreams.
Last year I met a guy who's new wife of 4 months quit her $200k a year job because they got married and she didn't want to travel anymore. So, she got with it and started her own homebased business, in the basement.
How many business women do you know that transitioned from corporate America to making $1.2 million in her first year? That's what happened to this guy's wife. She started with something she knew...buying wedding favors online, and started her own company to sell them. Now she's one of the biggest online vendors.
It could happen to you too.
But first, you have to have the desire to leap. Then you have to have the willingness to sit down and figure out what you really enjoy and plan exactly how you're going to make money.
This business woman took it further. She also hired an SEO expert (search engine optimization) to help her with the website. She also had overhead that could expand and contract with her business, rather than having a lot of fixed cost. For example, hiring virtual assistants means you only pay when you need them.
She delegated much of the work and concentrated on the part that she did best. Result, her first year she brought in $1.2 million. Second year looks something like $7 million. Just think where she'd be if she hadn't taken that leap.
If you're considering leaving the corporate world and starting your own, you might want to visit How To Get Business and learn more about how to grow your business.
I know. Some of my best friends who were high powered corporate women eecutives have experienced layoff. It is the downsizing of corporate American. And business women are not just leaving, but they are getting ahead by starting their own business. After all, why not? In this internet age, small women entrepreneurs can compete very successfully with the big guys.
But what is the real effect for business women? Is it dismal, lean times? Or...do they take the opportunity to re-evaluate their lives and create a whole new opportunity to follow their dreams.
Last year I met a guy who's new wife of 4 months quit her $200k a year job because they got married and she didn't want to travel anymore. So, she got with it and started her own homebased business, in the basement.
How many business women do you know that transitioned from corporate America to making $1.2 million in her first year? That's what happened to this guy's wife. She started with something she knew...buying wedding favors online, and started her own company to sell them. Now she's one of the biggest online vendors.
It could happen to you too.
But first, you have to have the desire to leap. Then you have to have the willingness to sit down and figure out what you really enjoy and plan exactly how you're going to make money.
This business woman took it further. She also hired an SEO expert (search engine optimization) to help her with the website. She also had overhead that could expand and contract with her business, rather than having a lot of fixed cost. For example, hiring virtual assistants means you only pay when you need them.
She delegated much of the work and concentrated on the part that she did best. Result, her first year she brought in $1.2 million. Second year looks something like $7 million. Just think where she'd be if she hadn't taken that leap.
If you're considering leaving the corporate world and starting your own, you might want to visit How To Get Business and learn more about how to grow your business.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Wolf Whistles and The Woman In Business
Are women in business still feeling harrassed in the workplace? Is harrassment in the workplace the same as a guy who whistles at you on the street?
Today I actually got whistled at while walking down the street. It made me start thinking about whether I considered it harrassment or just plain funny.
Use to be I was flustered when a trucker or construction worker showed this kind of attention. Today, I had an interesting combination of feelings.
1. I'm 51 and still getting whistled at...hehe.
2. Yuck!
Does that prove I've gone soft after 26 years as a business woman? I don't think so but it does proven one thing. I've toughened up. When I was 25 I didn't like it a bit. Today I didn't care.
After years of experience as a woman in business I've dealt with harrassment in different forms. It was unwarrented, unwanted and unworthy of my attention, but it still felt embarassing and I would carry it with me all day.
Now I can laugh. Is that because I've become a tough, hardened woman in business or is it because I don't let things like that bother me anymore?
This made me curious. After we're exposed to all forms of harrassment for years in a row do we become immune or does it have something to do with confidence and self esteem?
What do you think? If you've got a second, please answer my anonymous survey. I'll publish the results at a later date. Thanks for your participation in advance.
Today I actually got whistled at while walking down the street. It made me start thinking about whether I considered it harrassment or just plain funny.
Use to be I was flustered when a trucker or construction worker showed this kind of attention. Today, I had an interesting combination of feelings.
1. I'm 51 and still getting whistled at...hehe.
2. Yuck!
Does that prove I've gone soft after 26 years as a business woman? I don't think so but it does proven one thing. I've toughened up. When I was 25 I didn't like it a bit. Today I didn't care.
After years of experience as a woman in business I've dealt with harrassment in different forms. It was unwarrented, unwanted and unworthy of my attention, but it still felt embarassing and I would carry it with me all day.
Now I can laugh. Is that because I've become a tough, hardened woman in business or is it because I don't let things like that bother me anymore?
This made me curious. After we're exposed to all forms of harrassment for years in a row do we become immune or does it have something to do with confidence and self esteem?
What do you think? If you've got a second, please answer my anonymous survey. I'll publish the results at a later date. Thanks for your participation in advance.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Recovery Guide For Burned Out Business Women
If you're a baby boomer and you've been a woman in business for 20 plus years now, it's likely that you're feeling the pain.
We're the generation that was taught to over-achieve, particularly business women. And like most women in business who are in their late 40s to late 50s, you may be feeling burnout syndrome caused by overworking, over-stressing, and under-relaxing.
Stop it...just RELAX!
But, I can hear you now. Are you kidding? How can I relax when I've got the freakin' company business to take care of PLUS my family who needs me? (am I close?)
I feel your pressure. But it's time we pay attention to what scientist have identified as the major obstacle to success for women in business. That is, we work too hard and when we do we actually set ourselves up to fail. That's because our minds and hearts just shut down.
According to Ulrich Kraft, in the Scientific American Mind, July 2006 issue “It tends to hit the best employees, those with enthusiasm who accept responsibility readily.”
They actually documented the process.
1. compulsion to prove oneself
2. working harder to meet their own personal expectations
3. neglecting their needs
4. displacement of conflicts (you're so frustrated you want to blame everyone)
5. revising your values so socialization, hobbies, friends are completely dismissed.
After all....we're just too busy!
Mr. Kraft goes on to say that if taken too far it ends in depression and inability to work at all.
If you recognize you in this description, take this advice to heart. Relaxing helps you stay heathier, happier and refreshes your brain so that you can actually create ideas and solutions for your business even faster. You'll accomplish more with less effort.
You're not really living if your nose is to the grindstone all the time or you're running around to drop off kids here there and yonder. So you need to begin to participate in your own life by slowing down enough to enjoy it.
It takes practice but it can be done. If you find it hard to resist working then go away, literally. Work through lunch if you like, but then book the spa treatment at 3:00 and don't go back to work. Go away to a resort, the lakehouse or mountain cabin on Friday afternoon. Do whatever it takes to find a way to give up the taskmaster ways and relax.
Remember, the life and business you save may just be your own.
For more ideas, coaching and strategies go to WomenCorp
We're the generation that was taught to over-achieve, particularly business women. And like most women in business who are in their late 40s to late 50s, you may be feeling burnout syndrome caused by overworking, over-stressing, and under-relaxing.
Stop it...just RELAX!
But, I can hear you now. Are you kidding? How can I relax when I've got the freakin' company business to take care of PLUS my family who needs me? (am I close?)
I feel your pressure. But it's time we pay attention to what scientist have identified as the major obstacle to success for women in business. That is, we work too hard and when we do we actually set ourselves up to fail. That's because our minds and hearts just shut down.
According to Ulrich Kraft, in the Scientific American Mind, July 2006 issue “It tends to hit the best employees, those with enthusiasm who accept responsibility readily.”
They actually documented the process.
1. compulsion to prove oneself
2. working harder to meet their own personal expectations
3. neglecting their needs
4. displacement of conflicts (you're so frustrated you want to blame everyone)
5. revising your values so socialization, hobbies, friends are completely dismissed.
After all....we're just too busy!
Mr. Kraft goes on to say that if taken too far it ends in depression and inability to work at all.
If you recognize you in this description, take this advice to heart. Relaxing helps you stay heathier, happier and refreshes your brain so that you can actually create ideas and solutions for your business even faster. You'll accomplish more with less effort.
You're not really living if your nose is to the grindstone all the time or you're running around to drop off kids here there and yonder. So you need to begin to participate in your own life by slowing down enough to enjoy it.
It takes practice but it can be done. If you find it hard to resist working then go away, literally. Work through lunch if you like, but then book the spa treatment at 3:00 and don't go back to work. Go away to a resort, the lakehouse or mountain cabin on Friday afternoon. Do whatever it takes to find a way to give up the taskmaster ways and relax.
Remember, the life and business you save may just be your own.
For more ideas, coaching and strategies go to WomenCorp
Friday, August 11, 2006
The Art of Negotiation for Women in Business
Have you ever been in this situation...You accepted a salary or fee that was less than your worth?
My first real experience with negotiation was when I was hired to be the first female financial consultant in the local office of a major investment house 20 years ago.
The structure for this Fortune 500 company was to offer training and salary for two years, but if the financial consultant brought in business beyond the salary, they were awarded bonuses. So, there was an opportunity to make more, much more.
I was taken by surprise when they asked me what salary I required. I assumed it was set for everyone. The risk was that if I set it too high and didn't succeed pretty soon in covering it, the possibility of them letting me go increased. I let it intimidate me.
I was so naive, I set the salary low so as to avoid the risk. In retrospect, so what if I didn't achieve it? At least I would have gotten paid a decent wage while learning whether I could succeed in the business. Instead, I suffered from "low wage-itis" for six months.
Later, I learned that I had set the salary at exactly 1/2 of what the men asked. Fortunately for me, I not only met my salary but exceeded it many times.
What's interesting is that I've heard this same kind of story from many women who went on to earn six figures once they learned how to negotiate. In Secrets of Six Figure Women the author interviewed many women who had done the same thing as I but learned from experience.
This begs the question....why? Is there some reason men instinctively understand how to negotiate and women don't? Or is it that we don't value ourselves highly enough? Is it cultural or social upbringing that causes this? What causes some of us to feel as if we are worth less?
Perhaps we don't know how to value ourselves.
Terry Dockery, noted Organizational Psychologist, says "Negotiation is a classic example of the self-fulfilling prophecy. The starting point for negotiation skills is the person's sense of self worth--people essentially negotiate an agreement that reflects what they believe they deserve."
Regardless of the reasons though, women need to learn to put a fair value on their work or they will never match the income levels of men.
Next time you have to negotiate for dollars, try doing what the men do. Name a figure above your real target to begin negotiations. You just might get what you asked for!
Get more tips, advice, coaching and mentoring at WomenCorp
My first real experience with negotiation was when I was hired to be the first female financial consultant in the local office of a major investment house 20 years ago.
The structure for this Fortune 500 company was to offer training and salary for two years, but if the financial consultant brought in business beyond the salary, they were awarded bonuses. So, there was an opportunity to make more, much more.
I was taken by surprise when they asked me what salary I required. I assumed it was set for everyone. The risk was that if I set it too high and didn't succeed pretty soon in covering it, the possibility of them letting me go increased. I let it intimidate me.
I was so naive, I set the salary low so as to avoid the risk. In retrospect, so what if I didn't achieve it? At least I would have gotten paid a decent wage while learning whether I could succeed in the business. Instead, I suffered from "low wage-itis" for six months.
Later, I learned that I had set the salary at exactly 1/2 of what the men asked. Fortunately for me, I not only met my salary but exceeded it many times.
What's interesting is that I've heard this same kind of story from many women who went on to earn six figures once they learned how to negotiate. In Secrets of Six Figure Women the author interviewed many women who had done the same thing as I but learned from experience.
This begs the question....why? Is there some reason men instinctively understand how to negotiate and women don't? Or is it that we don't value ourselves highly enough? Is it cultural or social upbringing that causes this? What causes some of us to feel as if we are worth less?
Perhaps we don't know how to value ourselves.
Terry Dockery, noted Organizational Psychologist, says "Negotiation is a classic example of the self-fulfilling prophecy. The starting point for negotiation skills is the person's sense of self worth--people essentially negotiate an agreement that reflects what they believe they deserve."
Regardless of the reasons though, women need to learn to put a fair value on their work or they will never match the income levels of men.
Next time you have to negotiate for dollars, try doing what the men do. Name a figure above your real target to begin negotiations. You just might get what you asked for!
Get more tips, advice, coaching and mentoring at WomenCorp
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