516,000 square feet, 10,000 women, 1 message: The Power of Us.
On Thursday, December 5, 2013, I had the honor of attending the 9th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women held at the Boston Convention Center. The event brings together dozens of expert speakers for workshops and seminars on the issues that matter most to women, including personal finance, business and entrepreneurship, health, and work/life balance.
With extraordinary company, comes extraordinary wisdom. Take ten:
1) “Do it your own way.” – Susan Cain, author of New York Times bestseller Quiet, and the record-smashing TED talk on the power of introverts
There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to succeeding in your career. Know yourself, know your strengths, and know that no career path is linear.
2) “Sacrifice is necessary. Sacrifice rewards blessings.” – Linda Cliatt-Wayman, Principal of Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When you give in your career, you get. Sacrifice your time, your energy, and your comfort and reap the fruits of your labor.
3) “Successful women have an aura that says ‘I belong in this seat’.” – Cathie Black, former President and Chairwoman of Hearst Magazines, bestselling author and member of Forbes “50 Most Powerful Women in Business”
Confidence is everything. A seat at the table must be earned, but also taken.
4) “Brands are functioning like people. People should be functioning like brands.” – Stephanie Schierholz, Social Media Manager, Raytheon
Social media humanizes brands. It also provides a visible window into previously was our private lives. Leverage social to build your personal brand; you are a product and social is your packaging.
5) “Give a moment of silence for the haters.” – Lena West, CEO and Chief Social Media Strategist, Influence Expansion and Forbes “30 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter”
With great success comes great jealousy. Don’t get consumed by the opinions of others, lest it cloud your judgment and ability to make business decisions.
6) “Think outside the resume box.” – Randi Zuckerberg, CEO and Founder, Zuckerberg Media, former Marketing Director, Facebook, Author of Dot Complicated
Vine and Instagram video provide new mediums to attract employers’ attention. Know your audience, and craft your resume to speak their language.
7) “Optimism is a muscle that gets stronger with use.”– Robin Roberts, Anchor, Good Morning America
Make optimism a reflex. You must change the way you think to change the way you feel.
8) “Dive in the deep end and don’t hold on to the sides.” – Gloria Larsen, President, Bentley University, MA Conference Board Member
When you jump into a role, jump into it fully. The successful don’t sink, they swim.
9) “Live honestly online.” – Jessica Severson, Blogger, “Don’t Mind the Mess”
Cut through the clutter by being genuine. Have a sincere online voice and enjoy the liberation.
10) “If you wait for the timing to be right before you make a move, you may never make a move at all.”– Blake Mycoskie, Founder, TOMS Shoes
We all have great ideas –act on them. You don’t have to be an expert to start a company or create a product; you just need the drive to learn and the perseverance to fail.
