*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.
We’re starting 2020 the right way! We’ve selected some of the best words of wisdom from our past featured women from our 2019 Woman Wednesdays! This post is not meant to be read once; it is meant to be read again and again to be applied to everyday life. It takes constant practice in order to form new habits. Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s make it the best year yet!
Love [for yourself] is all you need.
“So, if you want to make it anywhere in this world with happiness and contentment, you need to be your own best friend and get to a level of self-awareness that supports your lifestyle and personal expectations.”
Alison, Queensland, Australia
Don’t be afraid to be your own teacher.
“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is that sometimes we need to realize that when we look for the smart person who knows all the answers and can lead us through the challenges, we need to look in the mirror.”
Elena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Shine bright!
“Don’t dull your shine for someone else.”
Sona, Orange County, California
Don’t put off what you can do today.
“I have learned that not making a choice is a choice in itself. If you want something specific and you have a vision for your life, just take some action. Take small steps towards that vision…even if you’re not 100% ready. If you wait until you’re ready, you will forever be waiting.”
Ellen, Pemberton, British Columbia
Find beauty in the small things.
“My favorite quote is ‘There’s a sunrise and sunset in every single day, and they’re absolutely free. Don’t miss any of them.’”
Stacy, Florida
Say “yes” to new opportunities.
“I signed up for one design class and absolutely loved it! I found that I not only had a passion for interior design, but I had a God-given gift to envision a space based off my clients’ wants and needs.”
Ariel, Collin County, Texas
Reflect on your past experiences.
“The most valuable thing I’ve learned in life is to never lose the lesson life teaches.”
Margarete, Ulster County, New York
Don’t be so serious.
“Allow yourself to try things and treat life like a game.”
Jamie, Vancouver, Washington
Do all the things you want to, while you still can.
“I kept thinking, ‘When I’m 80, will I regret not trying to open this place?’ And the answer was yes, every time. If we opened, and it closed in a year, at least I can say I tried.”
Mandy, Kansas
Know that it all has purpose.
“Nothing is a mistake. Everything happens for a reason, and don’t regret a thing because it’s all a part of your journey.”
Lasheika, Miami, Florida
Face fears.
“Feel through the fears, and make moves anyways.”
Helen, Phoenix, Arizona
Keep on going!
“There is a whole life out there to be lived. No matter what and how much has been taken away from you, maybe you’ll never get over it, but you can get on!”
Emily, Denmark
You can change your destiny at any time.
“I once felt like a slave to my debt. It controlled nearly all of my decisions. I learned how to take charge! I want everyone to know, you’re not alone!”
Kristen, Texas
Know that you have all the power.
“No one can force you to do anything, be anything, or act a certain way.”
Melissa, Utah
Mistakes are like falling; you’ve got to get back up!
“Resilience has been essential for me in the past few years to really go for my dreams, fall on my face, and get back up.”
Chloe, Sydney, Australia
Don’t make excuses! We all experience pain.
“Life is all about working with what bothers us, not giving power to the problem but looking for solutions. And it is precisely why I tell my story. I had all the reasons to give up and be a ‘no one’ in life. Seeing the transformation in people is something incredible. Many times, people just need help, a word of motivation to help them take a step and get out of their current situation, turn their passions/ideas into a business, or make decisions. I like to work for causes, give a voice to those that can’t talk, help the needy, put on the worker’s boots, and reach out to those who feel lost. These things bring me emotion.”
Nancy, Puerto Rico
Hard work matters.
“I grew up the eldest of three in a single-parent household. There was trauma that I was exposed to early in life, including the absence of my father. I learned early the importance of hard work to change my circumstances.”
Porsche, Nashville, Tennessee
Stop others from dragging you down with them.
“My abuser controlled me in many ways, but one thing he would do was threaten to commit suicide if I didn’t forgive him. If a person uses suicide as a way of getting out of guilt from bad things they’ve done, give them a self-help pamphlet and please run away as fast as you can. I know that’s harsh, but even if you think you can help them, you can’t; they can only make that decision themselves.”
Lisa, Saskatchewan, Canada
It’s never too late for redemption.
“There was plenty to do that didn’t involve drinking when you knew where to look for it, and about two years into sobriety, when I had worked on myself, not just through CBT, DBT, meditation, and the steps, I had rebuilt the life and identity I never had the chance to when my world came crashing down at age 12. Like the woman I had only imagined, I would be my wildest fantasies—calm, patient, clever, understanding, selfless, and rational—I began to build a life and welcome people into it who made me feel happy.” Glamour feature here.
Helaina, New York, New York
Search deep inside yourself to find what gives your life meaning.
“I felt something was missing. I needed to be more and think beyond what to sell next and how to make more money. I talked to my mom about the meaning of life and she pretty much dismissed my question as something frivolous and overreaching. I can’t blame her though; she comes from a generation where having a white picket fence was the dream). After that talk, I went even deeper into depression. I was living my life void of any life. I would go from one task to the next and have no memory of doing so.”
Maria Tan, Philippines
The only opinion that matters is your own.
“Actually, when I let go of worrying about what other people thought of me, and was open to new opportunities and possibilities, and that was when my life changed. I cared too much about what other people thought of me, and it prevented me from doing the things I wanted to do or being who I truly was. This has given me a sense of achievement, purpose, and community and a profession where I can be my own BOSS. Every day, I have the opportunity to help people change their quality of life both physically and financially. That feels pretty amazing.”
Felissa, Atlanta, Georgia
Expect hard days.
“If I could give any advice to people starting out pursuing a life of financial freedom, it is DO NOT GIVE UP! Yes, some days will be harder than others, and yes, some days you will be lucky to break even. Yes, it’s going to seem like people around you are taking off before you, but stay patient.”
Cierra, Dallas, Texas
Learning you can overcome any challenge is life transforming.
“I believe my struggles, my life stories, and living with constant uncertainty developed this passion inside me to overcome, to learn, and to discover that life is not defined by circumstance but instead comes from an understanding of yourself and your true power. I am living proof you can transform your outside world and life from within your mind.”
Keisha, Antigo, Wisconsin
Tough times are strengths—not weaknesses.
“My younger years weren’t filled with rainbows and unicorns. My amazing mom suffers from bipolar disorder and 20 years ago, when I was growing up, there was not as much support or understanding around the topic. This meant that I was more the parent in our relationship. I believe this experience is the catalyst to why I carry so much compassion towards women and the reason behind my passion as a coach.“
Sophie, Lichfield, England
There are no barriers.
“Nothing and no one is stopping you from reaching your full potential but yourself. Go for it; it is never too late! I have sacrificed so much throughout my journey and honestly, I still am. Never let anyone influence your decisions for your life. Do what you love to do instead of what you see others doing. What works for them may not work for you. Your happiness comes before anything. When you have a happy life, great things fall into place for you. Train your mind to think positive thoughts. Turn every situation you go through into a learning experience. Do your best. Trust the process. Enjoy the journey.”
Moesha, West Memphis, Arkansas
Keep moving!
“The doctors told me I might never walk again. When you’re faced with that kind of news, you have a choice—accept what you’re being told or try and do something about it.”
Kezia, Warwickshire, England
One word: karma! You get what you give.
“We live in a self-absorbed society where it’s all about the selfie. It’s natural to think about ourselves because we are human, but we must fight that urge and continue to put others before ourselves. Live in your gifts; when you do, service will come naturally.”
Marie, Charlotte, North Carolina
First things first: prioritize!
“Life gets busy. In the last year, I’m being intentional to prioritize my mental health. Making time to rest and slow down when necessary. In order to be productive with work, I have to take care of myself by sleeping, eating healthy, exercising, spending time with God through prayer, and meditation as well as reading my Bible. I have to be intentional about making time for myself, family and friends, as well as work. It’s okay to say “no” or “not yet” sometimes. I cannot fill the cups of others when my cup is empty. It’s also okay to ask for help—whether it’s in prayer, family and friends, community, or therapy.”
Ruby B. Johnson, Sierra Leone, West Africa
Don’t waste time on things/people that aren’t worth it.
“I found the right guy because I didn’t waste my time. Before my marriage, I hadn’t celebrated an anniversary with a guy. I didn’t waste time on dates that I didn’t think sparked joy. I didn’t make excuses for them. If we weren’t a fit, I was candid and wasn’t afraid to be alone. I didn’t beg to stay and I didn’t need a conversation when it was over. I hadn’t even planned to stay with my husband initially; I told him my career was important and a priority. Rather than pulling away, he respected that and pursued me.”
Lachelle, Oceanside, California
Know your worth.
“Two, do NOT sell your services for less than you are worth. There are too many stories, some of my own, that after the service is done, you do not ask for enough money. This is a physical labor service, so take pride in your work and make sure you let the clients know it is about quality. Since each job is different, I have learned to pay yourself by the situation NOT by the hour. The person behind my rise in confidence to become an entrepreneur told me, ‘Give me 1% of your trust, and I will prove the other 99%.'”
Ashlee, Boca Raton, Florida
Be patient with yourself.
“There will be messy days, 2-steps-backward days, and you’re-rocking-it days, but as long as you keep showing up to your life, it’s progress.”
Jessica M., Baltimore, Maryland
Don’t compare yourself to anyone—except your old self.
“Something valuable I learned from a young age, due to my limb difference, is that sometimes you have to find your own way. You have to figure out how to do things yourself and not try to imitate someone else’s process because it might not work for you. I think this idea is helpful in life and in business. Comparison is the thief of joy. We are resilient, and it is amazing what we can do when we let go of traditional mindsets about how to do things and figure out what works for us. I’ve also learned to laugh at myself more.”
Alison W., Virginia Beach, Virginia
Negative comments can’t hold you back, unless you let them.
“I have had others question the purpose of my writings. I’ve had strangers publicly speak negatively of me because they thought I had malicious intentions, but at the end of the day, my books were successful; thus serving their purpose to help someone learn from my experiences!”
Erika, Memphis, Tennessee
There you have it! Happy New Year! Take away all these words of wisdom to help you live your best life this 2020! Let’s make this the best year yet!
To view more content from 2019, see Woman Wednesday: 50th Post! Or check out our main page at The Woman Wednesday Blog.
