Inner Strength and The Power of Optimism

A dear friend of mine dated a man she was crazy about for five years. She confessed to me that she shared her secrets and her soul with him. She had trusted beyond belief. When it came time for big one -- commitment -- he looked other way. Why? Because that day, he didn’t like weather. My reaction? I thought it was a wonderful stroke of luck for her. Had he made commitment she thought she was ready for, she would have gone off into sunset with him and settled for someone who was nowhere near her equal. This strength and ability to pull on optimism in what seemed like a very dark moment carried her through to point of looking at new possibilities in a whole new light. A light that shined a bright new future on her.

The whole incident became a meaningful signal to redirect her life. And she did. Sometimes, not getting what you want can make you fearless in getting what you need. Furthermore, a disaster that blindsides us typically provides a moment to rid ourselves of all our mistakes and begin anew. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. It’s clear this friend of mine is not one of good girls. With optimism like this, she will pull ahead. She’s a bad girl.

To Compromise or Not to Compromise?

Make a shameful or disreputable concession? Awe, come now, do you want to remain a good girl? Go ahead. Us bad girls will ride our Harleys full-throttle and leave you in dust, because a concession is same as a compromise. And with too many compromises, you lose focus.

In line of fire, never compromise. Good girls compromise. Bad girls don’t. So you wanna be a ‘sexy’ brain surgeon? Get started. Stick to your guns. Know what you want. Have a clear mental picture of your target. Then fire. Eliminate getting ready and aiming part. That’s tedious. Besides, who has time? If you miss your target, fire again. The point is to just keep firing until you get what you want. Stay on course with your conviction and vision. It’s so very simple, you boring good girls. Why can’t you listen to us bad girls?

And, for all you bad girls, if you absolutely must compromise -- go ahead -- but remember who’s in charge: YOU. Don’t sacrifice your soul, for your soul carries you through to your destiny. Did you get that? Soul. Pure. Simple. Lock it up. Throw away key. It’s yours, and only yours, for keeps.

Don’t Sit on Sidelines -- Feel Good About Yourself and Get Out There

How can you possibly conquer world if you don’t feel good about yourself? Overcome urge to sit back on sidelines and be a good-girl, just observing because you’re afraid to say what’s on your mind. Don’t worry about saying wrong thing. What’s a wrong thing? And, who said so? Do you care?

Also, be willing to fail. Know it’s a possibility. Look it in eye. Conquer it. And then, move on. In process, figure yourself out because that is your single greatest gift and most powerful lifeforce. Grow or get lost. And if you should decide to drop out or disappear, even for a moment, there’s no chance you will ever become a true leader. Fight with all your might to be and promote your real self. Exude confidence and dare to be different. Always. Constantly. No variance. Be a bad girl.

Relishing Risk

One good girl’s timidity is another bad girl’s big win, but that victory will not come unless a calculated risk is involved. True risk -- that sudden leap into unknown -- can carry you into a state of nirvana. Do what’s unconventional, disconcerting or unexpected. Take a chance. Take a risk. And keep taking them -- that’s how you learn, grow, rediscover and develop. Bad girls who are creative, innovative, transformative, experimental and visionary absolutely take risks in order to earn their much-deserved rewards. Strive everyday to do OOT -- one outrageous thing. If you feel perspiration beading high on your forehead, then you know you’re onto OOT. Be eager to test what works. The whole point is to take yourself in a new direction and succeed.

Thrive [or Die], You Bad Girl!

Create your own opportunities. Explore and make your deepest BIG dreams become a reality. Even if you lack support, embrace who you are. Own, honor, utilize and validate your innate gifts. Pay attention to your integrity and go out there and unfold your destiny that flows from character and live a life filled with surprises. Move fast. Have fury of wind behind you. Create a sense of urgency. Use your gifts to achieve success. Soar to greatness. Set yourself up to survive at an optimum level in your life and enjoy your exciting and rewarding journey to mastering your own life. Be a bad girl.

Laurel Delaney, at ldelaney@globetrade. She runs a Chicago-based global marketing, consulting and web content providing company aimed toward entrepreneurs and small businesses. She serves as Director of International Development for http://www.seekingcapital.com, a global funding community that facilitates education and interaction between entrepreneurs and investors. Visit her temporary web site at: http://www.hometown.aol.com/laureldelaney/myhomepage/business.html

5). Unearth your potential.

Seabiscuit learned to trust his trainer and rider, and this became foundation for their relationship. What happened as a result? His love of running returned. So long as he was treated like a gentleman, he'd run his heart out. He acquired cool confidence. He was a new horse. Seabiscuit finally understood game. His trainer and rider had "unearthed him."

Women want to be "unearthed" too. Put trust and faith in her hands and she will develop an undying spirit that leads to victory.

6). Intimidate all.

As Hillenbrand's book states, "Where other horses relied solely on speed to win, Seabiscuit used intimidation." Women should too.

7). Save last reserve of courage for end.

Hillenbrand wrote, "If he [Seabiscuit] became too absorbed in rubbing a particular horse's nose in his defeat, he risked being unable to regain his momentum when closers came after him. Fortunately, though taunting was one of Seabiscuit's greatest pleasures, once he was challenged, games ended. In a fight he was all business. 'Did you ever see two stallions fight?' Seabiscuit's trainer Smith asked. 'They look about evenly matched -- most times they are -- but one of 'em has that last reserve of courage and energy which licks other. Seabiscuit has it.'" Women do too. Preserve it and pull it out at end.

8). Stake a claim on being unbeaten and unchallenged.

Many great racehorses from Seabiscuit to Seattle Slew to Secretariat all had something in common. They each had desire to stake a claim on being unbeaten and unchallenged throughout course of their careers. Women must do same. We must speak up and have good horse sense to own our way in life. Just like a world-class racehorse, you are going to fight your way through to winner's circle. In doing so, businesswomen will win race to building a new world.