Women in Business Creating Profit and Lifestyle!

For a long time women were left out of our history books. Instead women were either in the background supporting husbands, or achieving great results with little public recognition.  Today however we have moved from the shadows and are standing in the limelight of inspired thought and action. Inspiring women need not be famous or particularly well known.  Each day we meet inspiring women who in the smallest instance, can make us stop and reflect on our own lives.  By definition, if we feel a call to action, that woman has inspired us.

To inspire someone is in influence, move or guide them. We all feel empowered when we witness a positive change in someone we have helped create.  These everyday events can be as simple as coaching a friend on asking for a pay rise, or listening to someone who has had to walk away from a bad relationship and supporting their decision whole heartedly.

Executive coach and speaker Pollyanna Lenkic works with many inspired women to help them achieve their goals.  Lenkic says, “Inspiration is more about women being connected to themselves.  Sometimes you meet a woman who exudes confidence because of this connection.  You know she just knows who she is.  When people connect with something they are passionate about, they find something that compels them to change.  Many everyday women are truly inspirational.  They are connected to their purpose and what is important to them and this makes them inspiring to other people.”

Look at the amazing influence Jane McGrath had on other breast cancer patients and how her passing affected so many people.  “To be able to create meaning from adversity also is inspirational,” Lenkic says. “Sometimes adversity forces us to create meaning and move forward with our lives.  It would be nice to be able to short cut this and get straight into our meaning or purpose.  Often it is about identifying what is no longer acceptable in our lives and using this as an anchor to create change, and in the process finding out what really inspires us.  It is not what people have achieved necessarily but who they are being in that process, that is inspirational.  What people do – who they are being, can be phenomenally inspirational to others.”

Amanda Scanlan, 39 says, “I think everyday women who achieve extraordinary things are inspiring.  I think their qualities need to be energy, focus, humility, courage and eternal optimism.  A woman at my work had a baby who died at 2 and a half.  She is a single mum with two other children, she works, and started a charity with the Mater Hospital for research.  She has raised $90,000 so far. People like Dr Fiona Woods, voted Australian of the year in 2005 for her work with burns victims and the Governor General Quentin Bryce.  I consider these women to be inspirational also. ”

Kelly Thomas, 25 says, “I have lots of women who inspire me.  I find women who are able to find their special talent or skill or quality and who use it as a catalyst to make them happy.  People who inspire me are people who excel – but aren’t necessarily famous.  For example there is a woman at my work who has just been invited to be a partner.  She inspires me because she is in my industry and she has worked so hard and really earned the recognition.  My yoga instructor inspires me also.   She’s spiritual and calm and loves her craft.  Being around her makes me want to do the best I can be (at yoga).  My friend’s sister is 45 and has just found the love of her life.  I find this inspiring because she has withstood so many heartbreaks, yet maintained a positive and patient outlook and has finally got what she wanted.  Famous people do inspire me too – Natasha Stott Despoja is pretty cool – her tenacity and commitment is commendable.  Her role in paid maternity leave entitlements (eventually) is really inspiring.”

Melissa Healy, 35 says, “The qualities that I find inspiring in women are drive, determination, work/life balance and a sense of humour.  A woman I have always found inspiring is Florence Broadhurst.  Florence was a vivacious Queensland girl who created her own destiny.  She was passionate about the creative arts and I doubt ever fitted the conventional mould.  I’m inspired by her flamboyant style and the confidence she had in her abilities as a designer/artist.  A local woman who inspires me Tricia Davis of Sandbox.  She manages her own business here in Brisbane, has 3 young children, is about to do the Gold Coast half marathon on the weekend and is a great friend!”

If we all lived inspired lives, just imagine what could be achieved.

Tips for becoming more inspired in your life:

• Connect with who you really want to be in this life.
• People are now far more conceptual and want to have more meaning in their lives. Connect to the meaning in your life, think about what really makes you inspired and act on this.
• Think about who you are and your values. Work towards making your work congruent with these values.
• Consider how you can connect with the passions in your life. Someone who is passionate about what they do is an inspired person and is very inspiring to others

This blog is designed for Brisbane women, about Brisbane women. Have your say here.

Who inspires you?  What qualities do you think a woman needs to have to make her inspiring?  Is there a particular woman in Brisbane or Australia that inspires you?

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Thank you for interest and participation.