How to get from stuck and unsatisfied to energized and fulfilled in all aspects of your life? This was the topic of our Powerful Business Talks interview with Susan Salter. Here are the key takeaways from the interview. PS! Find the full recording at the end of the post.
Why is it that especially women tend to settle for what they get instead of what they want? Most often it is because of other people around them. Women are not used to putting themselves first. They think that, while it may not be an ideal situation, it is safe and familiar which is why they can stay in unhappy relationships or undesirable career paths for way longer than they should. But to feel empowered and well-equipped for any situation that you may encounter, you need to break out of this negative cycle.
You need to gain control over your thoughts and emotions. Negative self-talk is going to affect all aspects of your life and it is not going to help you improve your life. When you experience negative thoughts, take a moment to reflect why you are feeling this way, what could be an alternative and how you could get from the current situation to a better situation.
Ideally, you should take up journaling to build the habit of putting your thoughts onto paper. This will create clarity in your mind. Remember, you are not the victim of your circumstances – you have full control over your thoughts if you choose to take it.
You can’t change a circumstance, but you can change the way you react to it.
Breaking out of your comfort zone is scary, and setbacks are a normal part of it. Your comfort zone is safe and comfortable, but to expand it for good, you need to commit to change and build strong habits. Your brain is a muscle and you can train it through consistency! If you struggle with sticking to your new habits, look for ways to increase your accountability: e.g. hiring a coach, tracking progress together with your friends/family etc.
Once you’ve created order and peace within, it’s time to look at what you can do externally to reflect your new state of being. Women often revert to what they think they should look like, especially in a corporate environment. But you are your strongest when you feel like you, not like an imposter pretending to be somebody else.
Wear what makes you feel powerful, and you will start exuding confidence!
Your wardrobe plays a big role in how you present yourself to the world. What you wear should be a reflection of your personality, not the other way around. Know what shapes and colors work best for you. You don’t need a huge wardrobe, just some quality staple pieces that you can mix and match. With 30 pieces you can create hundreds of outfits, all of which empower you and make you feel strong!
You don’t have to shrink your personality to fit a pre-made mold, just look for ways to enhance your personality and make it your uniqueness! As a result, people will remember you, respect you and appreciate you, both in your personal and professional life.
Susan Salter is a success coach and style expert. She builds bridges to help women live the life they desire, not the life they have settled for.
She empowers women to get from stuck and unsatisfied to energized and fulfilled in all aspects of their life!