When researching my doctoral dissertation and book, Wander Woman, I found that growing numbers of women were more motivated by “motion and meaning” than securing titles and money, unless the titles and money could give them the new challenges to master and the fulfilment they yearn for.
As a result, women need to take a different path to success than has been traditionally defined for them by society.
[Tweet “So how do women get their needs met in the competitive work environment?”]
Is there a different path to success for women that meets their needs while feeding their souls?
Wendy Wallbridge
Wendy Wallbridge spent years researching and discovering how women can follow an alternative path to success and leadership. The model in her new book, Spiraling Upward: The 5 Co-Creative Powers for Women on the Rise, empowers women to become entrepreneurs of their own lives by following a radically different roadmap than they learned in school and from business mentors.
We have learned how to operate in the masculine paradigm very well by ticking off milestones and getting things done. In this model, we strive for all A’s – accolades, achievement, acquisitions, and approval. In her Spiral Up! Model, Wendy adds being conscious about and choosing our energy, thoughts, feelings, and speech to our emphasis on taking action.
Here are some highlights from Wendy’s work:
- Know yourself – [Tweet “Discover and claim your strengths, fears, and passions”] (yes fears, it is good to declare them and decide what to do with them, feeling empowered by your vulnerabilities instead of being sabotaged by them). Also, you should not only know what is most important to you, you should watch and admire as your values and desires shift with time.
- Practice self-compassion and sufficiency – [Tweet “Forgiveness is important to your health and wellness.”] This means forgiving yourself first and knowing you are enough as you are today. There is always more to learn and know, but you always have a deep capacity to love, giving you the greatest creative force of your life.
- Follow your deepest desires so your journey is filled with awe, chosen challenges, and fulfilment. Although you must meet foundational needs of food and shelter, when you have a big decision to make, ask your heart what it wants and your gut what is right for you. [Tweet “It is better to stumble along the way, than to end life full of regret.”]
- Choose how you want to feel and what to focus on that supports your highest self. Be conscious throughout the day so you can actively shift your thoughts, energy, and emotions.
Check out the 3Plus coaching and mentoring programs for women. Contact us.
What is your source of strength?
Although I believe Wendy’s model applies to both men and women because we all have the capacity to tap into our essence and build an authentic and fulfilling life, I like the reminder of how we can feel empowered from the inside out instead of drained at the end of the day (and career).
Wendy asks, “What are you leaning into?” She suggests you determine what “source of strength” means to you so you are not just giving your energy to things outside of yourself but working in service to yourself.
When you fuel yourself, you have more to give to your work, your family and the world at large.
[Tweet “The path to success is an inward journey full of meaningful and tangible rewards.”]
