Being a woman in the software business - 10 Secret Weapons

Secret weapon #1: Intuition

I'm constantly using my female intuition to make decisions in business.

As women, all of us have a “sense” of what will happen (good or bad) before it even happens and intuition is our secret weapon when it comes to business. To be a successful woman entrepreneur don’t ignore your intuition but use it in all your business activities and circumstances.

Secret weapon #2: YOU

I have been wondering what the secrets of being a shining star are, not only on the red carpet for one night but also in business and in life in general.

Everyone around me avoids talking about how good and amazing they are because they are expecting the others to say it. I don’t agree with this approach because it’s not about bragging about yourself or make yourself bigger than you are. On the contrary, is about letting others get to know you, the unique person behind the name or the picture.

Being a shining star on the red carpet of your business means that you constantly have to show people around you:

• The REAL you – including your expertise, your skills, and the value you deliver.
• The UNIQUE you - identify what makes you unique and let everyone know
• The MINDFUL you - don’t be so hard on yourself and stop comparing with the others
• The LADY you - be graceful, respectful, charming, elegant, stylish, classy, sassy, royal and thankful.

Secret weapon #3: Being fearless

“Some women fear the fire. Some women simply become it ...”― R.H. Sin

Possessing the successful combination of a kind heart, a brave spirit and a fierce mind as a woman in business gives you superpowers on your way to achieving success.

Being fearless is a precious quality because it makes you reinvent yourself and is forcing you to push forward no matter what obstacles you face. I’m more of a "Never a victim, forever a fighter” lionhearted person because I’ve learned to fight, speak up and stand up for myself and my rights from an early age.

When we want to do something out of this world we must surround ourselves with the right fearless people, and I was lucky enough to have lions mentoring me.

"If you want to be a lion, you must train with lions” - Carlson Gracie.

Thank you and ROAR! back to you.

Secret weapon #4: Patience

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”― Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Growing up with 2 brothers and 2 sisters in the house, both older and younger, I must confess that I was forced from an early age to learn the importance of being patient.

After launching WinGravity I was really impatient because the adrenaline was giving me the feeling that everything was moving in slow motion, even though I was using the "ready, fire, aim” technique for a rapid growth. In reality, things developed fast-forward and I made lots of cool stuff.

Do you think it has to do with the invisible “S” written on my chest? If yes, please don't reveal my true identity to anyone.

Now I don’t passively wait for things to happen because that equals laziness. I just keep going while remaining calm through the twists and turns, no matter how big or small they are. Why? Because miracles don’t arise overnight and “a moment of patience in a moment of anger saves thousands of moments of regret."

Secret weapon #5: F@$% what they think

Love me? Great. Hate me? Even better. Think I'm ugly? Don't look at me. Don't know me? Don't judge me. Think you know me? You have no idea.

Back in the days when I was a teenager I wasn’t pretty enough to be popular or appreciated like other girls who were sporty and perfect. Also, I was socially awkward, I had a rather weird sense of style and I sometimes got singled out by the crowd just for being different. Even then, I didn’t conform to others’ so-called standards of being a “normal” girl. I kept continuing my journey which is why even now, many years later, I still don’t care what people think because it’s none of my business.

My favorite technique is “Ready! Aim! Don’t Care What They Think! Fire!”. I’m not just playing it safe or trying to “fit in” this industry - I belong here! even though my shoes are still fashionably awkward.

“I'd rather look back on life and say 'I can't believe I did that' rather than 'I wish I'd done that.” Richard Branson

Stop wasting time on questions like “What will other people think of me or my actions?”. Go ahead and change this noisy world with your ideas while following your passion!

Secret weapon #6: Passion

Some time ago I thought: "Seriously? Another message claiming to follow your passion, be inspired, dream big, make this world a better place and blabla bla bla..!”

There’s nothing wrong with them, but when you have no idea what your passion is all these messages are completely useless and even sound stupid.

My passion derives from spending 10 years working a career that I was really good at. As a level-headed and realistic person, I always had a passion for work and being of service to other people.

If you look into my eyes now, after launching WinGravity, you will see light and hope. Why? Because being passionate is another way of saying “I’m attractive, amazing and unstoppable”, especially when I have managed to convince so many people to follow and believe in me.

Passion makes you go crazy and work like there’s no tomorrow at something that you believe in and that you know for sure sooner or later will rock your Universe.

“Love your family. Work super hard. Live your passion.” Gary Vaynerchuk

Definitely, besides love, passion is the second magic feeling that's worth fighting for.

Secret weapon #7: Self-Confidence

“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”.

From the little girl with dreams I was many years ago, I've evolved to being a woman with a vision. The sense of purpose and the faith in myself define me now as a successful entrepreneur. Self-confidence gives me the strength to push beyond fear, to have a positive attitude towards WinGravity and enhances my ability to make the best decisions.

Even if you are trembling on the inside, adding a smile when you make a phone call, straightening your posture when meeting someone or giving a warm and confident handshake helps a lot with believing in yourself. Also,

“Want to raise your confidence? Stop hanging around people who don’t want to win." Gary Vaynerchuk

Be confident in your journey to promote yourself and your business, because you are the only one responsible for your own success and in control of your life and goals.

Walk into any room as if you own it while wearing the best outfit - self-confidence.

Once you start believing in yourself, magic starts happening.

Secret weapon #8: Sharing the good

“She sees in black and white, thinks in grey but loves in color” - JmStorm

Over these past few weeks, I’ve realized more than ever how uplifting sharing the good actually is.

Behind successful entrepreneurs, there is often a vast network of mentors and advisors who support and motivate them to be better people. My mentors are a constant reminder that our greatest achievements in life are found in helping others succeed.

By practicing gratitude and humility while sharing the good you can change the world for someone; you also get this magical feeling - the greatest of them all - that you’ve done something that matters.

In this messed-up world, some entrepreneurs are so focused on their own success that they forget about the “others”. Being a leader is a gift and comes with great responsibility.

Happiness and fulfillment are achieved “by loving rather than being loved.” - Aristotle

We only have a limited time on this planet, therefore you should use it to help develop and nurture all those you meet and touch. People often forget what you said or did but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.

Secret weapon #9: Being perfectly imperfect

"I'm beautifully broken, perfectly imperfect, beautiful in my flaws. Altogether, I am a beautiful disaster."

My new life is crazy - with controlled chaos - as I’m daily trying to figure out this thing called entrepreneurship. I’m a busy working woman who sometimes finds herself excessively stressed or burned out.

My friends can hear my ROAR from miles away, as I’m fighting an insane thought daily. "I can do it all" or "I can do more” while also admitting that “I don't have all the answers”, can sometimes be frustrating.

Even though I have lots of imperfections, doubts, and weaknesses, I’m happy being perfectly imperfect, because, in everyone’s eyes, I’m the proud owner of a software company that is successful worldwide…and that’s perfection.

Secret weapon #10: Being a woman

“Focused. Intelligent. Fiercely independent. Motivated. Oh, and Cute”

Being medium tall (please read tall), blonde and glamorously dressed, there are times in a male-dominated industry when one gets marginalized or judged by their appearance. This only makes me work harder, with even more conviction and professionalism – while wearing my best outfits and the reddest shoes in the room.

So far I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded only by amazing men, who, once they got to know me and my business, they became really supportive and friendly. I didn’t become successful on my own. Without the support from all the men in my life - family, friends, mentors and clients - I wouldn't have made it this far.

The idea that certain personalities or character traits are gender-specific is ridiculous. Many men are sensitive, nurturing and collaborative. This shouldn’t be attributed exclusively to women.

It's time for women to stop trying to man up and let their female side shine through instead. Now, as we are stronger, more 'go-getting' than ever, we are the walking proof that women can be successful and feminine at the same time.

Can you be sexy and successful? Absolutely!

“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise”

Conclusion

The more patience, gentleness and tolerance you practice, the more resourceful, respectful and mindful you become as a leader.

Don’t forget to be fearless, extraordinary, powerful and brave because this is how your life as an entrepreneur becomes limitless.

Do you shine in business and in life? If not, now is your chance to have your own red carpet, shine like a star for the rest of your life and to show everyone around you how great and amazing you are!

Creating history, not repeating it.

Corina Craescu | Co-Founder & CEO | www.wingravity.com |

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