From the archives of AWNY's annual Women to Watch event: 25 "tips for success" from female pros.
- Determine what you are most passionate about. Do what you love, not what you think you should be doing.
- Be true to yourself. Don’t be someone you are not; recognize and build upon your own special talents and skills.
- Follow your heart. That little voice called instinct may lead you to a smarter place than your intellect: heed it.
- Do what you love and the rest will follow. Nothing fuels results better than passion, and you can’t have passion if you aren’t excited about your work. Choose accordingly.
- Don’t be too eager to fit into the good old boy’s club. Be true to what you believe in… it’s from that place of truth that fresh thinking and unique ideas emerge.
- Study the industry you’ll be part of. Knowledge is power and don’t forget it… you need to be invested.
- Do your homework. Learn everything you can about your brand or your business… it’s a continuous, never ending need.
- Be open to new information. Stay fluid and responsive to shifts in the marketplace: Just because it ain’t broke isn’t a reason to not fix it.
- Be prepared. Those who “wing it” are eventually discovered. Being prepared shows you care and that goes a long way.
- Keep a bright attitude. Don’t worry, be happy. Or if you can’t, stay positive; it’s infectious.
- Listen. You can’t learn much if you’re always talking, so listen, both to those above you and to those below you… brilliance is everywhere.
- Ask questions. Don’t assume you always know what’s best. Check in with staff and clients on a regular basis.
- Attack each day with gusto. Be fearless and be proactive—you have to be in the game to win.
- Work with people who will challenge you. Reach beyond your comfort zone.
- Take risks. Don’t be afraid of failing. You cannot learn anything new if you’re not willing to fall now and then.
- Don’t try to do it all alone. Teamwork enables many things.
- Network with everyone. If someone wants to speak with you, there must be a reason, so do it, you never knows where it might lead.
- Surround yourself with great people. Up, down and all around; it really is about who you know.
- Listen to your boss. Who is, of course, your customer; also your best source of inspiration and ideas.
- Build a reputation based on performance. Words are nice but actions matter most. Deliver what you say you will, every time.
- Lead by example. Remember as you move up the ladder that others are watching, so don’t say one thing and do another.
- Invest in talent. Your staff is an extension of yourself so choose accordingly.
- Be a mentor. The ability to give back, pass on learning and provide support to the next generation is a vital part of success.
- Find someone who cooks. Get your priorities straight and seek help where you need it.
- Face the hard reality that you will never again be perfect. If you ever labored under this illusion, give it up—fast. Juggling and perfection just don’t mix.
I wonder how these would be different from men's advice.
(I can't see any man in my office telling me to "attack each day with gusto," although I'd totally high-five him if he did).
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