I guess my first question to you is, “Do you see yourself as a Role Model?
My second question to you is, “Are you being inspirational (quietly or loudly) for family members, friends and colleagues?”
I hope the questions have made you think, and that you’ll take the time to reflect on them. It is so important for us all in life to do just that as it is easy to simply say “Yes or No”.
YES
If you have answered “Yes”, then that is fantastic . It means that those who see you, and how you are in life, as well as what you have done or are doing with your life, have a wonderful Role Model to follow. Look at the legacy you are giving.
You will have given them the inspiration to see how life can be lived. You are one of the many wonderful Role Models for us in life from the young through to the old, from all walks of life.
NO
If you answered “No”, I wonder why that is? One of the reasons for me, is that I’ve seen so many women spending the first half of their lives trying to please everyone else and putting their own needs last, whether within the family or in their job.
The ones with whom I‘ve come into contact, professionally and personally, have told me, “You begin to lose sight of yourself, your own dreams over time so how can I be a Role Model for anybody! I just don’t know who I am any more”. So to them, there was no way they could be a Role Model as they didn’t think they deserved that title.
Glass half empty or half full
Most women are torn in two – glass is half empty and feel cheated or half full and feel grateful.
For many of you, the half empty attitude is the fear of doing something different that causes you discomfort in some way. You search for some escape perhaps through affairs, alcohol, the T.V., over-eating, over-working or even exercise.
Challenge
To step outside the norm of your perhaps comfortable box, would challenge the fear of failure, of rejection, of disappointment or even the fear of success. This is what traps you and then this too tight box becomes restrictive and causes tears and pain inside anyway.
When this happens, at whatever stage in your life you are at, your mind (never mind your Soul) is asking you to re-connect with the world in new ways. How you choose to do this will be up to you!
Inner Wisdom
And I have a suggestion. One of the main ways for me is connecting with your inner wisdom. Wisdom comes through the reflection of looking within yourself and, by observing those you respect as Role Models. This is one of the reasons to be a Role Model as you give others the courage to go further than they may have dared.
Wisdom also comes through experience as, when you examine your life, it is that experience that gives you wisdom as you will have learned from life’s joys and mistakes.
I would like to leave you with –
- Don’t take life for granted.
- Don’t be one of those who says “one day”, and never leaves that place called ‘some day’.
- Make the most of Life. It’s happening right now and not in the future. It’s worth the effort!
Choose to be a Role Model.
I understand exactly how it feels to go through life changes with all of its ups and downs. I bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to my work so contact me irene@irenebrankin.co.uk with your telephone number and I’ll give you a ring.
This definitely strikes a chord with me – who wouldn’t want to be a role model? – but it does require you to be true to yourself and follow your dreams!
Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
I love the excitement of building something new Irene.
Have experienced plenty of failure in the early years and even walked away from a business this year that didn’t fulfil me need to work from the soul.
I feel as though I’m a glass half full person. I think it helps to have that approach, because being in any business is tough, especially your own!
I love the words of Dragon’s Den investor Peter Jones:
There is no such thing as failure. Only feed-back. 🙂
It’s such a positive way to look at any hurdles!
And aren’t you jumping over the hurdles beautifully, Sarah? You certainly are a Role Model xx
Tamsin, It’s that ‘being true to yourself’ that can stop women from being role models as many give up on their dreams. Thank you for your kind words xx
Loved this Irene, it’s another great example of how as women we influence others whether we think we can or not. We have a responsibility to see that our legacy is the best ever, and by being a great role model we ensure that happens
Exactly, Sarah – that’s what it’s all about ‘being the best we can be’ and that’s our legacy as role models. Thanks for commenting xx
We become role models when we become mothers. Thank you for putting this down for all of us to read. Reminding us of keep up the good work and charge forward.
Thank you for your comments, Sandy, and for taking the time to do so. In my opinion, it’s not only when we become mothers but also when we have awareness that we affect others too. I’ll have a look at your website too xx
Love this Irene, I’ve certainly faced a few major life changes over the years. It’s really important to me that I’m a great role model for anyone I come into contact with. Thank you.
Thanks, Wendy, for commenting. And it’s those life changes and how we deal with them that makes us role models – good on you xx
Great blog, the more role models we have in the world, the better the place will be. The ripple effect can be strong and powerful yet start from the smallest of things. You never know when you will be a role model. Even when your actions are considered so outside the norm that there seems to be such a backlash against it. Even though you will be inspiring the people around you, without you even knowing it.
A role model…yes, and so true about one day because that day is today…wisdom I also believes from applying knowledge not just age as so many know so much yet they do not walk their talk for fear…if they did the world would be full of fabulous role models… 😀
Thank you for comments, Sarupa. Yes that day is now and other women need to have such examples of those (like yourself) who walk their talk xx
Joanne, your comments are so welcome. And yes, sometimes we don’t even know that we are role models for others AND we are. I love the ripple effect too xx
Well expressed Irene. We are all role models in many ways. There’s no escaping it!
Thanks for this Irene – it’s good to remind ourselves that we have a choice as to the type of life we lead, and the kind of example and inspiration we are for others. It always gives me a great thrill to receive a message or card from someone telling me that it was something that I said or did that inspired them to take a step in a different direction
Wonderful to hear that you are seen as a Role Model for others as this is so obvious – you are an inspiring woman. xx
Yes and you certainly are, Rosemary xx