Lessons learned from women who found success

I will soon be posting my eighth conversation that I had with a highly successful and influential woman.  She was full of great advice that applies to us all so please check back.


Meanwhile, I want to summarize the highlights of the conversations that I’ve had with seven remarkable and fascinating women.  As I've said before, we can learn so much by listening to other women as they reflect on their path to success.  So here we go:


Conversation #1
Maxine Clark, founder and CEO of Build-a-Bear Workshops
Perhaps you’re feeling a lack of enthusiasm for your job or you’re not challenged anymore.  You do the same thing over and over without even thinking about it.  Maxine explained how to bring enthusiasm back into your job and refocus on the special skills you bring to your job every day.  To learn more, visit this post dated February 26, 2011.


Conversation #2
Moe Keller, former State Senator and current Vice President of Public Policy & Systems Advocacy for Mental Health America of Colorado
I had a fascinating conversation with Moe who discussed how she, very early on in her career, took an issue that was important to her, declared it her mission, and has now turned this mission into her life’s work.


When reflecting on her path to success, Moe talked about a method she used when considering a next move in her career path.  Moe always gaged what she was considering taking on.  She would take next steps toward something she felt she could do.  A few moves in her career involved risk and fear of the unknown, however they were calculated risks, they were logical next steps that felt somewhat familiar to her so she went for it.  She continues to use this model of calculated risk today. To learn more, visit this post dated March 28, 2011

Conversation #3
Celia Slater, Executive Director, NCAA Women Coaches Academy; Co-founder, Win Star FoundationThis was a great conversation I had with an inspiring woman who reinvented herself.  Celia’s entire life had centered around basketball— when she was a NCAA women’s head basketball coach she realized that she didn’t want to be a coach anymore. But since so much of her identity was wrapped up in her career, she was afraid to leave. She felt broken, defeated and for the first time in her life, lacked all self-confidence.

Learn how Celia picked herself back up and is now working her dream job by reading this post dated April 25, 2011.

Conversation #4|
Ellen Robinson, Principal of The Robinson GroupThis former President of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets was full of great advice for any woman wanting to climb the corporate ladder.

At one point in her career, she actually took a step down by taking a position with less responsibility but that gave her experience in another area of the company that she didn’t have.  This strategic move served invaluable when she eventually became President.

Ellen also talked about how, earlier in her career, she aspired to be just like the President and CEO of the company she was working for.  This woman was her hero and she wanted to be just like her.  However, when Ellen finally had the opportunity to meet her hero, she realized something unexpected.  Although she still admired the woman’s career accomplishments and success, she realized what she had given up in order to get there.  She had no work-life balance.  At that moment, Ellen vowed to weave balance into her life as she climbed the corporate ladder.  She continues that motto today.  See- you can bring balance into your life and still be a successful career woman.  Actually, you may be more successful because of it.

Read more strategic career moves that Ellen took on her climb to the top by visiting this post dated May 18, 2011

Conversation #5
Cozy Friedman, Founder and CEO of Cozy’s Cuts for KidsThis highly successful entrepreneur talked about a big risk she took many years ago by quitting her prestigious job in the fashion industry to start her own retail business.  She gave herself four months to open her storefront.  However, there were a lot obstacles in her path to success and her four month deadline turned into two years.  But she didn’t give up.  She is now is a very successful business owner in Manhattan.

If you are thinking about starting your own business, you will find a lot of great advice from Cozy by reading this post dated June 13, 2011.

Conversation #6
Laura Stack, President, The Productivity Pro, Inc.After speaking with this highly successful professional speaker, I felt energized and ready to MOVE forward in my path to success.  Laura knew at the age of 13 that she wanted to be a professional speaker.  After college she went after her dream.  At the beginning, she received a lot of NO’s, however she knew that if she kept trying she would be one step closer to YES.  By not taking NO for an answer, she is now a highly successful public speaker, best-selling author of four books, and has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox news, and various morning programs as a leading expert in the field of workplace productivity

Laura offers a lot of great advice for anyone feeling stuck and there are also many lessons to be learned by Laura’s path to success so visit this post dated July 4, 2011.

Conversation #7
Dr. Heather Bouchey, Director, Patrick and Marcelle Leahy Center for Rural StudentsRead this inspiring journey of how this woman went from Welfare- to Ivy League- to Ph.D. and the lessons she learned along the way.

And what did she do when she realized that her job, a position that she had her sights set on for years, was no longer a good fit for her?  Find out by reading this post dated August 7, 2011

Keep checking back for more conversations with other successful women.  And keep pushing forward on your path to success!

A new month— time to set a small goal

October is here— my favorite month.  Time for sweaters, pumpkins, colored leaves, and my favorite— candy corn! 

Although candy corn is high on my favorite's list, this new month of October brings other things far more important than my favorite candy.  It brings us the opportunity to make a fresh start; to set goals. We all have goals we want to reach.  Why not use this new month as an opportunity to declare a small goal that you can achieve by the end of October.  That gives you 31 days to accomplish something.  It could be losing 5 pounds, cleaning out your closet (something I keep saying I’m going to do), reading at night instead of watching television, or calling a friend or family member that you haven't spoken to in a while.  Whatever it is— let’s set a small goal today.  Because chances are, once we accomplish our small goal, it will give us the momentum to set loftier goals. But we must start somewhere.

Let’s start now.  My goal is to give myself a compliment every day in October (I’ve realized that I am my worst critic at times and if I don’t treat myself kindly, how can I expect others to?). 

Set your small goal for October.   I will check back with you at the end of the month to see how you did and to let you know how I did with my self-compliments.

31 days and counting down…