Pocket Book Of Women’s Wisdom Words of Support And Encouragement From Women For Women Compiled by Hannah Samuel in support of
Volume 1
Please feel free to share this publication in its entirety without breach of copyright. Extracts may be used when accompanied by the following attribution: ‘Excerpted from ‘The Pocket Book of Women’s Wisdom volume 1’ compiled by Hannah Samuel in support of Dress For Success, April 2010.’ www.hannahsamuel.com Copyright © Hannah Samuel 2010 All rights reserved The moral right of the author has been asserted ISBN 978-0-9864600-3-6 Published by Integrity Press, Auckland, New Zealand April 2010 Disclaimer: The compiling author/editor, contributors and publisher accept no responsibility or liability for actions undertaken by any person or entity, or any loss incurred, based on information contained in this publication.
Woman To Woman It’s wonderful to be inspired by words of wisdom from women we consider special or famous. However, everyday women, leading everyday lives, have as much wisdom to share, if not more so, than their more famous sisters. This ‘Pocket Book Of Women’s Wisdom’ has been compiled in support of global charity ‘Dress For Success’. It is a compilation of original thoughts, sayings and quotations from everyday women willing to share with, and encourage, other women in an uplifting way. We hope you enjoy it and dip into it whenever you’d like a boost of inspiration and encouragement.
Hannah Samuel
Mission To promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Vision Every woman succeeding. www.dressforsuccess.org
Dressing yourself for success is more than just the clothes you wear. It’s about the energy that you clothe yourself in, and that comes from the inside. Yvonne McLean
Friends are like stars, you don’t always see them, but they are always there. Alison Vickers
It’s not the thought that counts. We must act on those thoughts. If you are thinking of someone, call them and say so. Otherwise it’s just a thought. Allison Mooney
Trust your gut feeling, and if it turns out to be wrong, you have an opportunity to learn. Sherryl Hewlett
It doesn't matter how good your message is if no one's listening. So remember, you are the presenter, you are in control! When you communicate be sure to understand the listener, plan what you want to say and then deliver your message confidently. Michelle Bowden
Become the woman you are inside. You’ll find it’s where extraordinary lies. Deborah Bodger
Remember you're the star in your own movie of life. The great thing is, you get to choose: horror and drama, or comedy and romance? Linda McDermott
Whatever it is - deal with it! Don’t get over it. Get into it! Jaki George-Tunnicliffe
Modest self-appreciation can boost your spirits when you’re feeling down. When things feel tough, remind yourself: I’m good at … I’m loved and appreciated by … I make a difference to … Hannah Samuel
See the good, expect the best, and believe in great things. Tina Jones
Be aware of your tendency to move between shame and arrogance. Aim to ground yourself in the middle, where, like the strong kauri tree, you stand without shame, without pride, just powerfully present and connected. Sally Mabelle
Don’t treat people how you’d like to be treated. Treat them how they’d like to be treated. Veronica McGowan
Awareness in action heals. Awareness alone achieves nothing. Dairne Kirton
Learn the skill of ‘handing it over’. When life seems to be a struggle, be willing to sit back and hand the problem over to your guides, your angels, The Universe or whoever you put your faith in. They will bring you everything you need to succeed. Ann Andrews
They say what makes you happy is what will make you successful. I believe true success is when what makes you successful also makes others happy. Anna Gervai
Water always finds narrow gaps to seep through. If you’re blocked, remember even a trickle can find a path. Lindsey Dawson
Keep your ears open to the positive words and compliments people tell you, they are your angels in disguise, sent by the universe to direct you to your greatness. Implant them into your heart and mind and step into your greatness. Janice Davies
Success is not mysterious, nor is it reserved for only an elite few. Success comes simply from successful habits. Every day recognise your excellence; rise to the challenges that face you; rejoice and celebrate your success, and in this way take your place in the world. Jaki George-Tunnicliffe
Listen to the voice of those fleeting whispers; it is your intuition and higher consciousness speaking. Jasbindar Singh
Organisations demand ever more from you and if you keep giving it, eventually you will have lost your soul. Always keep a little bit of yourself in reserve! Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes
Life is a cup to be filled, not a measure to be drained. Tamara Rubanowski
We are meaning–making machines and have natural emotional responses to the meanings we make of things. Therefore, it is valuable to distinguish between what happened and what we make it mean. Choosing which stories we attach gives us the controls for how we experience the world. Belinda Simcox
ABC: Attitude, Belief, Choice. These are so important in our lives. The Power of attitude at all times. The Power of belief in yourself. The Power of making choices, no matter what happens in life. Juliet Pratt
When I have disappointed myself in some way I say to myself, “You’re doing your best, and your best is getting better all the time. Keep it up.” Kindly encouragement is my way of helping me become a better person. Clare Feeney
To achieve satisfaction you need to put effort in. Doreen Tizard
We are givers by nature, but too often we give of our own substance which leaves us emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually drained, and therefore unable to give at all. Yvonne Godfrey
When you hit an obstacle be like a ‘weeble’ and bounce off in a new direction until you hit the next one, then bounce again. Don’t let anything stop you. Pam Martin
Cultivate courage. Have the courage to follow your instincts – they will never let you down. Ann Andrews
You may regret what you don’t do, not what you do do. Linda Coles
Even though people may mean well, their advice may not be right for you. Trust your intuition, and be bold in making decisions you know are right for you, even if others disagree. Hannah Samuel
Nothing works ... and everything helps! Amanda Fleming
It’s better to try something and fail, than not to try at all, and then ask yourself ‘what if?’ for years to come. Regrets are a waste of energy, so live life to the full and just do it! Cornelia Luethi
If life gives you lemons ... make lemonade! Tamara Rubanowski
Ask yourself if it really matters. If it does, then do something about it. If it doesn’t, then let it go. Really let it go and move on. Chloe Barrott
Clothe yourself in gratitude, love, and appreciation for yourself, and those around you. Clothed in those, you will be unstoppable. Yvonne McLean
Acknowledgements To all the women who made this book possible by contributing so warmly and willingly Thank You! You are truly inspirational. Thank you, too, to everyone involved with Dress For Success New Zealand Affiliates who inspired it. You too are an inspiration. For more information about the contributors check out their websites on the following pages. They’re just regular women, facing challenges, and making choices, just as we all are!
Hannah Samuel
Contributors Ann Andrews www.thecorporatetoolbox.com
Clare Feeney www.clarefeeney.com
Chloe Barrott www.admin2go.co.nz
Amanda Fleming www.amandafleming.co.nz
Debra Bodger www.petpartners.co.nz
Jaki George-Tunnicliffe www.fusionatwork.com
Michelle Bowden www.michellebowden.com.au
Anna Gervai www.orchidwebdesign.co.nz
Linda Coles www.bluebanana.co.nz
Yvonne Godfrey www.yvonnegodfrey.com
Janice Davies www.attitudespecialist.com
Sherryl Hewlett www.speakerlink.co.nz
Lindsey Dawson www.lindseydawson.com
Tina Jones www.designboutique.co.nz
Contributors Dairne Kirton www.lifesabilities.co.nz Cornelia Luethi www.fxmarketing.co.nz Sally Mabelle www.sallymabelle.com Pam Martin www.positiveconnexions.co.nz Linda McDermott www.ivoiceover.co.nz Veronica McGowan www.nesa.com.au Yvonne McLean www.strategicdirection.co.nz Allison Mooney www.personalityplus.co.nz
Juliet Pratt www.julietpratt.co.nz Tamara Rubanowski www.multimediapublishing.co.nz Hannah Samuel www.hannahsamuel.com Jasbindar Singh www.sqconsulting.co.nz Belinda Simcox www.twitter.com/belindasimcox Alison Vickers www.export.ac.nz Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes www.professionelle.co.nz