Think Like Water

New month, new focus.

My mother was absolutely right when she used to tell me that as you get older, the time just seems to fly by.

As we kick off this new week, I want to talk about impact and using what you already have to create seismic shifts in business.

This post is inspired by a talk, "Think Like Water," that I have been asked to give many times to groups around the country. It's one of my favorite talks as it embodies much of what my professional career has been—making things happen by any means necessary through the support and care of others.

You have everything you need right now, at this very moment, to achieve exactly what you want.?

Someone first told me this several years back and I immediately called BS.

While I’ve experienced a considerable amount of success as a serial entrepreneur and business professional over the last decade, I've also gone through times when I struggled mentally and financially and wasn't sure how I could make anything happen. Life can be hard and unpredictable.

I'm not usually a fan of "Pollyanna" types of sentiments or mantras. I try my best to deal in realities so that I don't lose it completely. As an entrepreneur, it's a thin line between being amazing and being crazy, and that line can waver at any moment throughout the day.

But as I started to reflect on my professional journey—the highs, the lows, the good, the bad, and the ugly—I realized that through it all, two things have always remained consistent: me and a tribe of women who had my back.

Last month, I kicked off a brand-new weekly blog series created for everyone, but especially for businesswomen and female founders who are in transition or trying to navigate their careers, businesses, and the concept of "having it all." You can check out the blog here .

My thoughts and perspectives are deeply influenced by my experiences as a Black female entrepreneur, community leader, and business professional for the last 20 years (which is insane to write, lol).

This week's moment of clarity:

My perspective determines my possibilities.

Regardless of the number in my bank account, on the scale or the regretful times when I swiped right instead of swiping left, I have always been me and there have always been women in my life and business who made it possible to navigate through everything.

So yes, I can honestly say that I have everything I need at this very moment to achieve exactly what I want. Which means that you too have everything you need right now at this very moment to achieve exactly what you want.

We have ourselves—our experiences, lessons learned, and obstacles overcome—and we each have a tribe of people who care about our success surrounding us right now, even if we aren't aware of it.

So how do we take what we already have to make a big impact?

In thinking about all of this, I realized something pretty profound.

Everything you’re looking for when it comes to making seismic shifts and impacts with your business or your career can be found in water.

Yes, water.

That thing that has been a part of your life since the very beginning and that is probably sitting on your desk right now.

Interestingly, there are four characteristics of water that I believe can truly guide us on our journey to make a difference.

Establish Your Necessity. Be The DNA

We need water to live. We instantly feel the impact physically and mentally when we don’t have it. It is a necessity for our existence.

How do we make a sustainable, memorable impact? Water encourages us to explore how we too can become a necessity to our employees, coworkers, clients, and partners. It inspires us to think about how we can position ourselves to truly be the DNA of our professional environments—the indispensable element that holds everything together.

To achieve this, you first need to understand and value what you bring to the table. Identifying and embracing your value is a core ingredient in establishing professional necessity. When you recognize your unique contributions, you can better demonstrate your worth to those around you, ensuring your impact is both felt and remembered.

Ask yourself this: What are you doing to ensure your contributions make a lasting impact? How are you positioning yourself as a vital part of your professional ecosystem?

Never Forget Who You Are

When water gets cold, it freezes, and when you put heat under water, it gets hot. Either way, regardless of what's going on, water returns to its original state. It always comes back to what it is. This inherent ability to revert back, no matter the external circumstances, is a powerful symbol of resiliency for us all.

In life, there will always be external things that attempt to shape us, often in ways that challenge our core values and identity. It is easy to let some of the really tough things we’ve gone through change who we are. The last few years have been hard for all of us, with unprecedented challenges that have tested our limits both personally and professionally.

However, water reminds us of the importance of maintaining our true selves despite these challenges. When we forget who we are, we risk losing the unique qualities and strengths that make us valuable and special. By staying true to ourselves, we ensure that our actions and decisions are aligned with our true purpose, making our contributions more meaningful and impactful.

Water reminds us that even if life has been a struggle or you (or your business) aren’t where you want them to be right now, never forget who you are. The challenges will come, but you got this.

We can do tough things.

Build Momentum

Size matters when it comes to water. An individual raindrop doesn’t do much. A couple of raindrops are annoying, but a tidal wave has the power to destroy cities.

This analogy illustrates the profound effect that collective effort can have. On our own, our impact might feel minimal, like a single raindrop. We might achieve small victories and make minor changes, but the true power lies in our ability to collaborate and unite our efforts with others. When we join forces, our combined strength can create a tidal wave of success, capable of making significant and lasting changes.

How do you create an impact using what you have? If we come together, as collective raindrops, we can create a tidal wave of success. This means leveraging the power of community, collaboration, and mutual support to amplify our impact. By working together, we can pool our resources, skills, and ideas to achieve outcomes far greater than any of us could alone.

How do you create a big impact?

Help the woman or man sitting next to you make one too.

This simple yet powerful act of support not only strengthens your own position but also elevates those around you. By empowering others, you create a ripple effect, where the success of one contributes to the success of many.

Water reminds us that we are stronger together and to no longer think of ourselves as individual raindrops. Professionally speaking, this means embracing teamwork, mentorship, and partnerships. When we support and uplift each other, we build momentum that drives lasting professional impact, much like how countless raindrops can come together to form a powerful, unstoppable tidal wave.

Carve Your Own Path

?Finally, water always knows where it's going. It ultimately flows to the ocean, and as a result, it's not in a hurry to get there. Through persistence and consistency, it carves its own path.

To make a big impact, you must know where you’re going.

Carving your own path also means being true to yourself and your unique vision. It’s easy to follow the crowd or adhere to the status quo, but true innovation and impact come from forging your own way. This involves taking risks, thinking creatively, and not being afraid to deviate from the way "things have always been done". By doing so, you create a distinct identity and value that sets you apart from others.

Water encourages us to be consistent, persistent, and patient as we move through all of the obstacles that we face along the way. Consistency ensures that you’re always making progress, no matter how small. Persistence helps you overcome challenges and setbacks. Patience allows you to stay committed to your goals, understanding that significant achievements take time.

Once you begin to carve your own path, you ultimately become a life source, just like water. You become a source of inspiration and support for those around you. By staying true to your vision and persevering through challenges, you not only achieve your own goals but also pave the way for others to follow.

My question for you is this: What can you do today to become more like water?

As we embark on this new month, let us embrace the essence of water—valuing our worth, staying true to ourselves, building collective strength, and persistently carving our paths. Remember, you have everything you need right now to achieve exactly what you want.

I believe each and everyone of us has the power to make a big impact, one drop at a time.

Thank you for reading and your support.

See you next week,

Jasmin