28 December 2010
How Sisterhood Grows Business
Posted by Intuitive Coach under: Goal Setting; self-growth; Women Entrepreneurs .
As we look back at the old year winding down and in the next breath look forward to the fresh and shiny new year ahead, it’s almost impossible not to feel a mixed bag of emotions. Maybe you’re focused on what went well for you this past year, your accomplishments and celebrations.
Or maybe you’re beating yourself up about where you stumbled or tripped, regretting the things that despite your best planning, just went wrong. All you can see when you look back is what didn’t go right.
When you look ahead to 2011, perhaps you’re feeling excitement, a surge of eager anticipation, a whiff of promise and hope, or perhaps a laser-clear focus on planning with precision what steps you will take, what roadmap you’ll design to accomplish the growth you desire.
Or maybe the opposite is happening. You feel fear about the approaching new year and overwhelmed at the prospect of dealing with what may come your way. Perhaps you feel stuck on a treadmill of boredom, disinterest or despair and the coming new year just means more of the same to get through and endure.
Which brings to mind one of my favorite quotes from Norman Vincent Peale, and with apologies to that wise man, I post it here using the feminine pronouns rather than his original male pronouns:
One of the greatest moments in anybody’s developing experience is when she no longer tries to hide from herself but determines to get acquainted with her Self as she really is.
The Path of self-development may be arduous and challenging at the same time as it is thrilling and rewarding. For many women it is especially difficult because we are so trained and acculturated to put others first, and tend to ourselves and our own needs later. Sometimes we never do get around to it.
What has helped me hugely in my own personal development, which has then translated into business and professional success, is sisterhood.
There is tremendous power in women forging bonds with other women to help navigate the inevitable bumps in the road and help lighten the burdens of life. In earlier posts I have written about the incredibly inspiring time I had last fall at the Women’s Conference http://intuitivelifestrategies.com/blog/women-entrepreneurs/magnetic-inspiration-women-inspiring-women/ as I palpably experienced the power of sisterhood, even though technically we were all strangers to one another. We were nevertheless women united in the same physical space and head space, united in no longer hiding from ourselves but determined to get acquainted with Who we really are.
I grew up in a family of mostly girls and my one precious brother. With my five sisters to learn from and teach one another, I know in my deepest heart that I was privileged to develop a profound sense of sisterhood from my earliest days.
Whether leading the pack or following the crowd, from Day One I learned the value of both relying upon and being relied upon by other women. There is safety and security in finding sisterhood, as well as challenge and inspiration. When women work together, profound things happen!
As 2011 unfolds in all its mystery, I encourage you to seek out the support of sisterhood in all its forms. Explore the possibility of becoming involved with networking groups, professional organizations, clubs and communities. Commit to the important work of forming the bond of sisterhood with the Self. By doing the necessary self-excavation to become better acquainted with yourself, you’ll be rewarded with deeper love and acceptance of your Self as you truly are.
May your New Year ahead be filled with peace and prosperity!
