The cliché is as old as time, but there’s a reason for it. The best way to thrive is to find strength within yourself first and bring it out into the world.
It’s easy to succumb to imposter syndrome, especially when you are called upon to rise above your perceived limitations. Begin building up yourself internally. The more you build yourself up from the inside, the more you will start to see that you have begun building up yourself externally and find that you had been thriving all along.
Cut Out the Fat
Begin by cutting out out the things that are unnecessary and bringing you down. Cut out the people who don’t support you. Cut out the things that aren’t going to help you succeed. Wean yourself from bad habits that are draining your time and your wallet. When you begin living leaner, you will find that you have much more time on your hands to pursue the things you have always wanted.
Invest in Yourself and the People Around You
Only surround yourself with people who lift you up. There’s no need to have friends and even family who aren’t invested in your future and success. It’s counterproductive to have friends who aren’t there to look out for you. Make sure your squad has your back.
Be Selfish With Your Time and Your Needs
It’s okay to stay at home in your pajamas and binge-watch The Office if that’s what you want. It’s okay to stay up late working on a side project you’re passionate about if that’s what you want. It’s not okay for your friends or family to make you feel guilty for wanting and doing those things. Be selfish with your time. It’s yours and yours alone. Understand that your time is precious and you shouldn’t be wasting it doing things that don’t hold meaning to you.
In short, #YOLO.
Fake It Till You Make It.
If you tell yourself you’re thriving and you act like you are, eventually, you will be. It only takes 21 days to develop a habit, but it takes much longer to break one. Start forming positive habits that benefit yourself and your goals. As you begin to live in the mindset that you are already thriving, you will begin to see the external changes that align with the success you seek.
Become Comfortable With Criticism and Learn How to Grow From it.
Just because someone sounds like they are lecturing your ear off doesn’t mean they don’t want the best for you. It might sound like they are mad at you, which can cause you anxiety, especially if you’re trying to seek approval. Take the advice from the lecture in stride and apply the criticism given to you.
Today's Woman to Watch is Molly Hayward, the co-founder of Cora, which produces body-conscious organic tampons giving women a modern method for managing their periods.. For every month of Cora you purchase, they provide a month's supply of pads to a girl in need. By helping girls in developing countries stay in school, Cora is transforming the experience of womanhood on a global scale. Additionally, nearly 25 million women in the U.S. live below the poverty line, yet menstrual products are not covered by food stamps. Cora has partnered with nonprofits across the country to provide period products to girls and women in need in the U.S. They’ve given more than 100,000 products to women in need in the US.
Learn more about Molly and her story with Cora by clicking here!