Today is a day many of us will be exchanging gifts – experiencing the beautiful gratitude of giving – as well as receiving.
I want to take a moment to ponder what gifts we should open … within ourselves.
Yes, within ourselves.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]All of us are born with unique gifts. What are yours? #WingSPodcast #Christmas2017[/tweet_box]
All of us are born with unique gifts. What are yours? Your unique talents? Your super powers?
All of us are different – we all have a unique mission or purpose in life … and magic happens when we are in true alignment with that purpose, our gifts, and find our authentic voice.
Successful Entrepreneurship is about leveraging these unique superpowers, doubling down on our strengths. It’s also about accepting, forgiving and hiring our weaknesses.
So think for a moment about the gifts you have been given, what has always been there for you … inside you.
If you’re like me, you might have overlooked or undervalued those gifts.
You might have wanted – or thought you wanted – other gifts – because your parents, your partner, your friends, your school teacher, the glossy magazine, social media, the TV show – told you what you “should” want and who you “should” be. You might have lived a life of “should’s” that has kept you at odds with yourself, unfulfilled, unhappy and out of flow.
I have discovered on my entrepreneurial journey that innovation in business is a roller coaster ride that puts you on a course of self-discovery – whether you like it or not. It pushes you to get out of your comfort zones, to leverage adversity, to spot and seize opportunity – and to grow as a person as you grow your business.
[tweet_box design=”box_08″ float=”none”]I have discovered on my entrepreneurial journey that innovation in business is a roller coaster ride that puts you on a course of self-discovery – whether you like it or not. #WingsPodcast #Christmas2017[/tweet_box]
Today is a good day, whatever your faith, to celebrate your authentic superpowers. Where do you shine? What makes you happiest? It’s a good day to find a quiet moment, even for a few minutes, to look inside and celebrate the growth and consciousness that evolves from those painful or fearful moments when life was tough.
Every day I interview extraordinary women for this podcast – and I am inspired by their wisdom, talent, accomplishments, insights, how all of them have used their unique gifts to overcome adversity and step into the light. So many women on WINGS have talked about the amazing things that transpired from panicked and heart wrenching moments of adversity: Think about JJ Virgin, Rania Hoteit, Clara de Soto, Lauren Hall, Dawn Gluskin, Sally Hogshead, Susan Bratton, and Ping Fu. Ping who survived rape as a 10 year old – came to the US with no English and just $80 at 18 – and ended up inventing 3D printing and growing her business to a massive exit. If you missed those episodes go back and listen.
Every one of us has learned to leverage our true gifts in those difficult moments. Every one of us has or is learning to love and value ourselves – because only then can you truly create value for others.
Take a moment and think of how you found ways to overcome the challenge. Think of how you helped others in need. Think of the value you created for them, and what you discovered about yourself. There is so much to be grateful for when we truly understand our unique gifts.
Today I feel extraordinarily blessed with a gift I have been able to give – as well as receive.
In setting out to acclaim and affirm the entrepreneurial journeys of women, I have found my own voice.
In choosing to truly BE the change I want to see in the world by helping to lift other women up and catalyze an environment where women support each other… other women have shown up for me.
To hear our collective voices on WINGS so far is to know we all have the power as women to truly innovate, influence, and in our own unique ways as entrepreneurs, executives and innovators catalyze the change we want to see and solve so many of the world’s most intractable challenges.
In launching my moonshot to invest in 100 female founders in the next 10 years, I know now that women will invest in me.
So as we approach the New Year, think about how you will leverage your strengths – how you will unwrap your gifts – to grow your business, to improve your relationships, to grow as a person, to serve and create value for others.
I am so excited about the year ahead on WINGS and beyond – we as women find our voices in business and in life, and step into our authentic feminine power.
Women. Innovating. Networking. Growing. Scaling. That’s WINGS.
I’m Melinda Wittstock. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.
Let’s fly.
