Reclaim Your She Power

Unleashing Your Personal Greatness

As a social entrepreneur, business thought coach, and motivational teacher, I speak to individuals and organizations seeking to facilitate both the recognition and release of greatness. In particular, I strive to uplift women of color from around the Diaspora, particularly women in the Caribbean who often feel their opportunities are limited by the boundaries of the sea. Moreover, in general, too often as women, we discount or fail to recognize our boundless potential. For some of us, the discovery of unique gifts and talents, the acceptance of leadership opportunities, or finding the courage to champion personal dreams escape us for a lifetime.

Frequently, we are uncomfortable when it comes to acknowledging the worth of our ideas and contributions; the significant impacts we make in our families, in the workplace, in our communities. Throughout history, the feminine spirit and our sensibilities about all aspects of life have served to mold and elevate the world as we know it.

Claiming our power, seeking out true joy, and choosing to become a woman of destiny for some of us are as uncomfortable as trying to force ourselves into a favorite outfit that no longer fits.

Noted author Marianne Williamson speaks to the struggle that people, particularly women face as she writes, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves; who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented or fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?”

Indeed, a fear of possible failure; the need for approval; the false notion that power, femininity and leadership can not share the same womanly space, foster limiting beliefs for countless women not only across the Caribbean Diaspora but around the globe.

From the moment a woman is given the gift of life, an ability to discover her “she power” is within reach. Finding and expressing her true personality, while ultimately fulfilling, is an arduous journey as every woman pursues the complete development of her four human intelligences; which are mental, physical, emotional and spiritual.

A woman’s mental “she power” resides in having a vision for the life she seeks to live; her physical “she power” is reflected in developing discipline and a commitment to honor her body; a woman’s sacred temple. Emotional “she power” is derived from inner passion, personal drive and dedicated effort focused on the achievement of her life’s mission and unique goals.

Laying the foundation for a woman is her spiritual consciousness, a moral compass which guides perceptions about fundamental issues of right and wrong.

The Ghanaian proverb says, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual; if you educate a woman, you educate a nation” suggesting that feminine power garnered from education is transformational, an undeniable source of sustainable nation-building.

In today’s globalized world, a knowledge-age driven by rapidly changing technology; a time when for a host of reasons women must shift their viewpoints, and strengthen their resolve, Caribbean sisters, women of color everywhere must embrace, as well as model for the girl-child, these twelve power principles, attitudes that can certainly make a difference in how females view their power, better ordering our steps as we journey through life.

She-Principle 1 – The Power of Beliefs: a woman’s thoughts about her competence and  potential, challenges and opportunities; her outlook on the ability to rebound from life’s  temporary setbacks.

She-Principle 2 – The Power of Purpose: a woman’s willingness to identify a reason for living; a cause, project or endeavor to focus her attentions and talents on daily.

She-Principle 3 – The Power of Self-Worth: a woman’s feelings about what she deserves, and the treatment she expects from others; always respect yourself and act like the queen that you are.

She-Principle 4 – The Power of Choice: a woman’s understanding that she always has a choice; you must realize that choices of today impact the quality of  life tomorrow; make choices that move you closer to your goals, not destroy them.

She-Principle 5 – The Power of Inspiration: a woman finding activities or moments of solitude which replenish her spirit whenever she feels stressed, depressed or hopeless; you must learn to take time for and rejuvenate yourself daily.

She-Principle 6 – The Power of Creativity: a woman’s ability to tap into her imagination  choosing to express her unique taste and resourcefulness; your blessings and bounty flow from your creativity.

She-Principle 7 – The Power of Planning: a woman taking the time to prepare, schedule and take actions in support of her dreams every day; the quality of your life is linked to how much effort you put into thinking about what you want to achieve and how you are going to make it happen.

She-Principle 8 – The Power of the Present: a woman fully engaged in the moment, refusing to hold on to the past, focused on preparing for her future; you can not maximize the  moment if you are not there; if you are still holding on tightly to days long gone you are missing your present opportunities.

She-Principle 9 – The Power of Relationships: a woman appreciating the fact that healthy  relationships with others begin with a positive relationship with self; you must surround yourself with people who lift you up, not limit or diminish your positive spirit.

She-Principle 10 -The Power of Forgiveness: a woman knowing that an inability to forgive diminishes her sense of power and control,  serving to dominate her spirit and stifle  growth; you must learn the lesson when others disappoint, but move on with your life; you can not allow yourself to languish in a state of rehashing old wounds.

She-Principle 11- The Power of Change: a woman’s openness to accept change and new possibilities; you must welcome and adapt to change when it comes so that you do not  become stifled because of a refusal to accept things as they are at that precise moment.

She-Principle 12-The Power of Gratitude: a woman’s thankfulness for all her many blessing and the faith that more goodness will come; you maintain an optimistic attitude when you focus on all the positive things that have occurred in your life serving to open the gateway to more joy.

The spiritual journey for every woman is distinctively her own, as is the multi-dimensional nature of her “she power.” Moreover, every woman’s persona overflows with potential greatness, and the fabric of her life’s tapestry can be anything she chooses.  It is time to reclaim your “she power,” to spread your wings and soar!! Have you ever dreamed of operating your own business? Do you have an idea for a product or service you feel compelled to introduce to the marketplace; perhaps you are an expert in a subject and simply long to share that knowledge with others or maybe you have lost your job as a result of the current global economic downturn?

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) of 2007, women around the globe, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America, are creating businesses of all sizes in records numbers.  In part because of the economic realities across the Caribbean, but equally as much due to more women seeking the creative, personal and financial freedom entrepreneurship can bring, small business ownership is no longer seen as a totally out of reach consideration.

“Multiple streams of income,” is the name of the game for savvy women these days, and exploring one’s entrepreneurial interests does not necessarily mean giving up your day job. In fact, 2009 has been pegged the year of the “solopreneur,” a year when more people will choose or be forced to use ingenuity to create a home-based or small business.

Nerissa Golden, a Montserrat-based entrepreneur who penned, The Making of a Caribbeanpreneur: Strategies for Overcoming Fear and Building Wealth shares “Although the reports of a dire tourism season is cause to tighten our belts, it is also a time to free our thinking and move outside the box. It is time for Caribbeanpreneurs to find new strategies to get ahead. This crisis is also creating new opportunities and we need to open our eyes to see them.”

Golden, Founder of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Symposium and Truly Caribbean Network, a non-profit foundation established to create opportunities for Caribbean people globally, “suggests that people who may be fearful of losing their jobs see the time ahead as a great moment of transition which can be to their benefit. Many of the most successful billionaires made their money during the toughest economic times.”

As you contemplate adding business owner to your resume, take these steps to test the entrepreneurial tide:

Step 1: Research your business idea

Determine whether you can make money by turning your hobby into a business: Will someone pay you for your product or service, and will a buyer pay enough for you to make a profit?

Step 2: Create a business plan

Prepare a business plan to get a sense of whether you have a money-making business opportunity.

Step 3: Take stock of your business sense

Assess your own abilities and motivations honestly.  Do you have what it takes to run a business? Can you have your business and the lifestyle you want?

Step 4: Be realistic about how it will affect your life

Consider the impact of your entrepreneurial venture and then decide whether to pursue your business on a full or part-time basis.

If you are looking for free information, business forms, training materials and other resources designed to help you and your business flourish, there are a host of sites on the internet, including a Caribbean Business Toolkit sponsored by the International Finance Cooperation.  So, come on, slip into your stilettos, with a confidence that you are equipped with knowledge and know-how; and you are certain to learn how to make it your business!  Choose to reclaim your She Power!!