This year on International Women’s Day, I did a little somethan’ somethan’ I don’t usually do. I gave a speech about women, moms, and expat women creating more professional choice in their lives and starting an online business. I totally rocked International Women’s Day On Stage…
Well, rocked is really an aspirational word here because… ya’ll should know.
I’m a blogger…not a speaker.
I love to write sales funnels for freelancers. I may even start working on a book in the not-so-distant future. But speaking on stage is WAAAY out of my comfort zone.
It’s pretty much my personality expat—like speaking on stage is so out of my freakin’ comfort zone it lives in another country…
But I did it!
I trekked through the snow in my snow boots, two pairs of pants, and my softest red cashmere sweater. I pulled my hair up and I went the International Club of Shenyang’s (China) celebration for International Women’s Day.
Here’s a picture…
That’s me on the stage in front of my larger than life profile.
Let me take a second here to sidetrack…
I share the picture as proof that I actually did do the speech. Unfortunately, the quality of the recording I took of my speech that day— with the laughs and aplause—was rubbish. So I ended up having to come home and re-record the speech. #technologyfail
But this picture (ugh). This picture is proof that I was there.
Back to Rockin’ International Women’s Day On Stage
I spoke about the limitations we as women, moms, and expat women (the majority of my audience) face as try to carve out a professional life for ourselves.
I spoke about the psychological (mind games) and functional barriers (not knowing how) to entry we face to get started, stay the curse, and experience success.
My intention with this speech was really to invite my audience (and now you) to examine the mind games we play with our futures and our potential for success. Then, to choose differently.
My 5 Steps To Starting An Online Business
After choosing to sidestep all of the negative self-talk spinning regularly in our heads, we need action-oriented steps we can take (right now) to get started. And that’s exactly what I provided. At the end of the presentation, I gave 5 steps anyone can take to start on the path of business creation. I also outline those steps in my 5-Day Dream Business Challenge.
More please…
The talk was so well received. And after I banished my nervousness, I had soo much fun talking about this thing I love: women ditching crappy choices and creating inspired life-affirming ones in their stead.
So, I’m just going to put this out there. If there are more opportunities for me to exercise this public speaking muscle that I just found, let me know. I’ll be there.
…Wait there’s more…
I didn’t just rock International Women’s Day on stage one time. No, I did it twice. Later that evening, I participate on a panel discussion on The Role of American women.
It was an honor to participate. I was on the panel with two working women and I was one of two stay-at-home moms.
It was freak’in amazing.
We discussed everything from a woman’s role in the home to how to raise men who can be true partners with women—both in the workplace AND in the home.
The future is bright.
What a world we will have when men AND women are equally full of compassion and a genuine desire for partnership—in all relationships with each other…
The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. When the two wings . . . become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary.”
This quote from Abdu’l-Baha is so succinct. Our future is bright. Happy International Women’s Day!
To listen to my full speech, fill out your name and email below and I’ll email you the audio file.
Thank you for the inspiration. Seeing you on stage last week was EXACTLY what I needed that day.
Julie, I’m so happy! Meeting you was such a treat. You have so much talent and such great ideas. I can’t wait to see what YOU create 😀