36 Rebecca’s only child, a son was born and her family convinced her to sell an excellent investment property, which she’d regretted ever since. She returned to work only five weeks after the birth because her husband, James was unemployed. The pressure from family members made her feel she was doing the wrong thing by her baby so she sold the property to keep the peace. She made a small profit of only $5,000 on the sale, but had she kept the townhouse it would have paid for her son’s university fees and given her and her husband an ‘Around the World’ holiday, because 28 years later the investment property increased in value by $500,000.
The question she asks herself now is, “why did I listen?” She enjoyed her position with the television network as State Manager and wanted to go back to work after the birth of her son. She didn’t need to sell the property. “I only have myself to blame,” she told me over coffee one day.
Many have stories similar to Rebecca’s because we let others influence our lives. Yes, people mean well, especially your own family, but you and only you, know what’s best for yourself and your child. I’m a great believer that if the parent is happy, so is the child.
My son has had a full and exciting childhood, travelling the world. He wouldn’t have had these privileges if I hadn’t returned to work and taken advantage of the perks offered to me as Sales Manager of a major airline.
A $MILLION FOR TALKING!
When you deprive yourself of something, you’re also depriving your family. My goal now is to make a million dollars speaking on the world’s stage. It’s humorous to recall being told off for speaking too loudly and too often when I was a young key punch operator. Perhaps I was only exercising my natural talents as a professional speaker!
If I’d listened to my boss, stopped talking, stayed in the job I hated and not allowed myself to grow I’d certainly not have written this book. I wouldn’t have anything to write about. Thank goodness I listened to my heart and let my instincts guide me to where I am now. I love my life so much and look forward every day to new adventures and mountains to climb.
To empower your life, you have to take control of it. Step outside the comfort zone of your home, office or current circle of friends and start something new. Even if it’s going back to school to do a part time course or taking up a hobby that has always interested you. If people say “Don’t be silly, you’ll look stupid. The others in the class will all be younger than you,” don’t listen. Everyone means well, but they’re not you and don’t know what makes you happy.
Sonya 49 years and Marsia 40 years worked in a large city dress boutique, cared for their families and spent most Saturday nights with six married couples who loved Rock ‘n Roll. Although the two women weren’t experienced at the dance, after a few months practising they created their own style. One evening Tom, 36, lead guitarist in a band, took his wife to dinner at the hotel where Sonya and Marsia were performing for their friends. Tom was so impressed he asked them to do a floorshow with his band the following weekend.
Tom and his audience loved the two and dubbed them The Girls. Tom introduced the women to his colleagues in the music industry, so Sonya and Marsia could learn a few Rock ’n Roll and Country songs. Today these two women are in demand in all the clubs and hotels in their state and they’re preparing for their first national tour. They dress in magnificent costumes and have learnt a few jokes, can do a couple of magic tricks and have their audiences in the palm of their hands.
You are never too old to do whatever you want in your life, it’s just a matter of finding the people who can help and guide you in the right direction. There are many networks these days of like minded people who’ll welcome you with open arms into their groups. I started the Australian Executive Women’s Network in 1986 to assist women (and sometimes men) to increase profits through a sharing of business leads, good ideas, knowledge, experience and to gain confidence learning how to ask for the job they want to become financially independent.
I’m an active member of many networking organisations. It’s hard to describe the inspiration and energy created by 50 or so people in one room who enjoy the same lifestyle and ambitions as yourself. It’s as if electricity is passing between the group. The empathy, sense of well being and belonging is overwhelming. There’s a genuine rapport felt between all members who care about each other and support one another’s businesses.
WHO DO YOU KNOW?
It’s not what you know, but who you know. I’ve proved this well known statement to be very true and that’s why networking is so powerful in today’s society.
I’ve seen some amazing changes in people who’ve attended regular networking meetings and seminars, especially the women who’ve taken the time to enter our awards and speaking competitions. By sitting down and writing their own success profile it’s given them confidence to either attempt something new or expand an existing business.
Often we presume we’re not doing much with our lives and that our achievements have been average, however — when we start to document our experiences — we realise just how much we have achieved and it inspires us to do more.
If you’ve never spoken publicly empower yourself by offering to speak in front of a group of people you know well. You may be overwhelmed at the thought of standing in front of an audience but once it’s over you’ll be delighted with the warm response you’ll receive.
Many who have participated in speaking competitions or been guest speakers at our networking meetings have told me how surprised they were to find they actually enjoyed speaking and were thrilled to discover their own achievements were far greater than others in the audience. Jenni Roberts, a beautician in Sydney was very shy the first time she spoke at one of our dinner meetings; three years later she was earning a minimum of $1,000 for every speech.
Sophie, a 31 year old financial consultant, was a high achiever in her company and as she wanted to become a speaker, I organised for her to speak at a Sales Seminar for a large manufacturing company. She was paid $200 for her very first professional presentation.
Your knowledge and experience is valuable to others so don’t underestimate your earning potential. Some speakers are making as much as $5,000 a day in Australia and I’ve met international speakers who earn $10,000 an hour.
You can gain immense personal pleasure and satisfaction by writing your own autobiography that can be passed on to your children. It makes a valuable family heirloom. You may even decide after you’ve written it that it’s worth giving to a publisher as it could become a great help to others and a new rewarding career could open for you.
I’ll never forget the first Australian Executive Woman newsletter I prepared. I worked all night to cut and paste together my eight page publication. Having had no sleep I was on the steps of the Adelaide Post Office when they opened the next morning. The man who gave me an official publication number for it must have had difficulty keeping a straight face.
Today, 25 years on, I’ve written and published six books, five in Australia and one in Japan. My own publishing company assists other authors to publish their books. We are also publishing e-books, so call us if you would like us to help you publish your book. I believe we all have a book inside of us.
REWARD YOURSELF OFTEN
Do you reward yourself? I’ve found a simple inexpensive gift to myself, such as a new hairstyle, has been empowering. When I was single with large businesses to manage in three states, I had to keep my energy levels high and it was important for me to feel successful, always, even when the bank manager had just rung me saying, “Lucille your overdraft is too high.” On those days I used to take myself shopping for the future.
At these times I’d act as if I was already very wealthy. I’d telephone a Mercedes dealer and ask for a test drive in my favourite sports car. This soon cheered me up. Then I’d go to town and try on mink coats, diamond rings and expensive perfumes. Smelling and feeling like I’d already made my fortune, I’d sit at