3 Powerful Reminders for Women through Kamala's Quotes

Yep - for today's #SaturdayServing... I'm going there.

Kamala Harris is about to achieve something remarkable and irrespective of her politics (or what I may think of her, or the work that lays ahead in actually getting the change we want...) today I want to celebrate her feat by taking a little inspiration from her and applying it to my neck of the woods in the sphere of supporting and uplifting women.

She has a lot to say that are powerful reminders for us as we build businesses, careers and communities, and we should never underestimate our agency, power and responsibility to ourselves and others to support and improve the world that we live in.

On non-Victimhood

Kamala through this quote makes her intentions very clear. And while I'm not at all a fan of the idea of an independent women (another article for another time) - I do like her declaration that she wasn't raised to be a victim.

It's so easy to put on that victim cloak, and snuggle under there and start blaming others.

It's the easiest place to stay, but nothing grows there - because you can't change anything about the fingers you point outward.

Only by acknowledging and accepting agency and responsibility for your life choices, business and growth can things start to change.

Yes, your reality differs from others... but there is an opportunity in it all

• You have less time - amazing, that means you will hone efficiency
• Less resources? Cool the chance to adopt more resourcefulness
• Lots going on, great - lots of sources of inspiration and ways to think of things differently.

I long changed my own narrative around working with women in business. Our lives are different than the boys, but there's an opportunity to be found in it all. Kamala inspires us to remember this each day.

On Opportunities

Kamala has had many firsts in her career before this day, and I watched an interview with her about the fact that people had often old her that it was not her time, her space, and that the people were not ready for her to do what she was trying to achieve

And she consistently ignored them.

This woman is hard of hearing in the best way.

She didn't ignore the naysayers, she turned their doubt into her fuel for success...

She wasn't always surrounded by the 'Kamala fan club' - and yet, she made sure she stuck to her guns and continued to put herself out there anyway.

She put herself in a position to be first, and that's the reason why she was so many times. She was initially going for President, but it was not to be at this time - but that didn't stop her from trying for something else.

She put herself out there and has gotten a prize, but her quest didn't end there - because as this quote outlines, it's then about considering her role in creating opportunities for others too.

It's a really powerful mindset to not only have the mindset of a pioneer, willing to be first, but then a sense of duty to ensure that you aren't the last. It's that focus on service and possibilities for others too, that is the real lesson to women in business...

Never forget what your business allows for you to create. At times we can play small because we are still thinking about what our venture means to us. But what about the opportunity and community that it also creates for others too.

It's one type of business that allows you to be first - but it's an altogether different proposition to create a business that ensures you're not the last. Never forget the power you have in creating a doorway for others.

On Fighting

This quote I love, because it's so apt for the time we're living in. There's lots that has gone left when it should have gone straight, and it's easy to want to throw up our hands...

I love that she acknowledges the feelings because it happens to us all...

But what I love more is her stance, which is that it's exactly when you feel like that - that it becomes time to fight.

Not for what we want... or for what we can have

But for who are...

Because our identity, and who we believe ourselves to be is so very powerful and is the belief from which all others flow.

I love that her focus is on pushing back when things feel tough - very much like the invincible summer I posted about earlier in the week.

Kamala shows us through these words, that EVERYONE feels that way, but not everyone is stopped by those feelings, and so we don't have to be either!

BONUS: On Leading

I love this quote most of all - because so many women - no, people, are constantly seeking permission - where there will be none, because none is needed.

• You don't have to ask anyone's permission to lead, just lead
• You don't have to ask anyone's permission to excel, just excel
• You don't have to ask anyone's permission to shine, just shine

You can apply it to 1000 different ideas, but the concept is still the same. You have the permission you are waiting for... so crack on.

Go for that role

Build that business

Create that solution

Change the world

She sits as the latest in one of the incredible women working to change the world that we live in...

And our job today, is to join the list...

She sure as hell didn't wait until she was perfect to put herself out there and take her place in history, and you don't need to either.

A powerful sense of purpose, a belief that you can, and a clear and compelling vision of the future that you want to create will change everything, for you and for others.

It's a great day to be here and see what determination, teamwork and persistence can achieve, and with the example that she has set of this - it tells us the importance of so many factors to reach the successes we want to achieve.

I'm so excited to head up a growing community of ambitious business women and am soon to launch a group coaching opportunity with a difference. Feel free to drop me a PM for more details on how you can be part of this one of a kind opportunity.