Toughness, Risk & A Wrap Dress

 

We don’t know how strong we are until we’re tested. This removes us from our comfort zones. If you’re willing to take the risk of being uncomfortable, you’ll likely garner new found strength that may surprise you. 

 
 
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I’m like talking about strength and maybe that’s because I need so much of it to tackle challenges. Today, I’m asking questions, researching and seeking out opportunities that move us all closer to a residence that can’t be broken.  Above, that’s me with global fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg (you might have a DVF wrap dress in your closet). 

I was a speaker at Simmons Leadership Conference in Boston and DVF was the headliner. She was impeccable, honest and sincere. I had a unique opportunity to share a little time together. One of my biggest takeaways from Diane was that when she designed the first dress, there were lots of naysayers. People told her women wouldn’t want to wear her designs, especially the wrap dress. Diane said she had to take a chance on yourself and become her own “best friend.” That trust in self showed up in sales as she launched the dress and women couldn’t stop buying them. 

Diane shared that strength has to come from within you. “You have to be OK with yourself first,” she said. I asked her about leadership and she, like so many others have said, you have to be yourself, "The biggest mistake a woman can make is to not be herself in public or private."

And a while back I interviewed several executive women, asking them about personal strength. I wanted (and needed) to know how others determined their personal strength and how do they find the will to keep going.

I spoke to Lisa Oliver, Chair of Board, President and CEO The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod (former MKT President, KeyBank), Jodi Berg, CEO of Vitamix and several other amazingly strong women.

Over time, I’ve had the honor to meet, befriend and interview hundreds of mentally strong women during the production of my Woman of Power Conference https://www.thewopc.com and other events. 

I’ve found seven traits (and a bonus one) that mentally strong women have in common:

  1. They know how to ask for help 

  2. They eliminate toxic people from their lives

  3. They treat themselves well

  4. They keep working on themselves (persona/professional growth is vital)

  5. They help others

  6. They are unafraid to stand up for what she believes in

  7. They keep a positive attitude 

  8. *(my personal note) I speak lovingly to myself. I avoid berating myself for past regrets/oversights/errors. Speak yourself 100 % of the time. :) 

Raquel Eatmon is a Be Bold Accomplice, Keynote Speaker and Author of Beyond Enough How to Lead with Your Whole Self. For over a decade she has produced the Woman of Power Leadership Conference for high potentials. She is challenging audiences to live and lead bolder lives through strategic risk taking rituals. Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn 

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Raquel Eatmon