Only takes one… One word One expression One smile One thought One heart One beat One resolution One you One me One million odds One world One love One step One leap One push One fight One victory One moment One pause One breakthrough One tear One laugh One life One blessing One chance One gift One need …
A few days ago I had a one-on-one meeting with a very influential, powerful female leader. I respect her immensely. We talked casually and openly. I shared my aspirations, current graduate school studies and future career ideas. This leader gave me her no-filtered, blunt advice. She does not hold back. I appreciated that. But as she …
“Shut up and Get to work!” I yell at myself. That’s right. I can talk to my inner voice like this. And sometimes I need to. I doubt I’d appreciate anyone else being so blunt with me. But I often need to stare my whiny self in the mirror and tell me, “Enough already! Plant your butt …
I gave the below speech today to the Gulf Power Engineering Society and my fellow Toastmasters group on May 26, 2016. I wrote this in March 2016 and finally had the opportunity to deliver it for a crowd in the way I wanted. This was my final speech to complete the Toastmasters Competent Communicator manual. …
A few days ago I was asked to be part of a project. I said “No” right away. I’ll be honest…it felt really good to say No! I gave a strong, quick answer. I was decisive. I felt empowered. Damn, I really meant it too. I said No and Wow, I was relieved. I took myself out of the …
“Why did you call yourself a bad mommy at the doctor?” my eight year old asked me two weeks ago, sounding surprised. “Because I ignored my instincts about you being sick. I thought you might have strep and it turns out you did.” I replied back. “But why does that make you a bad mom?” she …
Our family took its first real vacation in nearly a decade. We traveled to Sevierville, Tennessee (located near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) with another family–our very good friends. This spring break getaway was the the most relaxed my husband and I have felt in a year or longer. We rented a cabin in the Smoky …
I recently interviewed four women for an article I’m composing on the topic of female confidence. Each of the participants had thought-provoking insights about their assertiveness and outside factors that affect it. I’m not done writing it yet but the words of these empowering ladies are already burned into my mind. They are amazing and I can’t wait to …
Today I attended the University of West Florida Women in Leadership Conference. This inspiring event was put on by the College of Business. The theme was “Designing Your Future” and it indeed conveyed the message that we female leaders can create our own path to success. The conference included three main guest speakers. Two panels of female …
I gave this speech (below) in my Toastmasters group. Actually it was credited as two speeches from the Competent Communicator Manual – with emphasis on vocal variety and visual aids. The total time it took me to deliver this speech was almost fourteen minutes. I received such great feedback from the presentation and I had such …