Rachel Maddow - Virginia Sherwood / NBC Universal, Inc.
She was interviewed onstage by Bay Area NBC’s Janice Edwards. Listening to her, two major things were reinforced for me. Rachel works very hard preparing for her show by reading volumes and volumes of material. She spends 10-11 hours a day getting ready to bring us a great show that over 1.9 million people watch. She also said that it is critically important to only do what you are BEST at and to be true to yourself!
So what this confirmed for me is that hard work and long hours pays off. Most of us already do that. The key to Rachel’s success and yours is a laser-like focus on what you are best at, and being your most authentic self. There is an exercise in my book “Stepping Out of Line” on pages 175 - 176 to help you figure out what you are best at. It is simple. Write down 20 things that you know you are good at. Now look at that list and pick the 5 things that you are best at and stay squarely focused on those skills and attributes. Confidence will follow.
Rachel left the stage to prepare for an interview with Colin Powell. Also speaking at the conference was a woman who was new to me. Her name is Bertice Berry, bestselling author of “I’m On My Way, But Your Foot is On My Head” and many other books. She is brilliant and funny. It’s well worth reading everything she has written and hearing her speak if she is ever in a place near you. There are awesome, inspirational women in all of us. Discover what you are best at and go do it.
Believe in you
Nell
Tags: advice, growth, Inspiration, Nell, Stepping Out of Line, strengths
Thanks for your reflections and insights. Your presentation was inspiring; the power of the women entrepenuers is so underrated; we are lucky to have you as a champion. Thanks
Hello Nell,
Thank you for writing such an encouraging blog. I am a great jewelry designer using the natural elements from the earth. So, my questions is….What do you do if you are doing what you are good at but the economy crumbles and you can’t get your pieces out in the open. I love Rachel Maddow and watch her show every night. I don’t know why she doesn’t wear any jewelry ever. She is a wonderful role model for women.
Kathy
jiwl@mywdo.com
I am best at inspiring others. I also listen when others feed my soul. One example:
I was struggling with our monthly bills. 800 numbers kept calling, harassing us about overdue bills. I was managing our finances to the best of my ability, but we just didn’t bring in enough income to cover the basics. I was convinced I was somehow mismanaging because no matter what I did, those 800 number people kept calling.
In frustration and angry despair, I told my beloved I was going to ask his cousin if she would look at our budget and tell me what I was doing wrong. Tenderly, for the fifth time, he said: “What you do with our finances is a miracle! I listen when you talk to those people. I couldn’t do what you do in a million years. You lay out our budget in one night; it would take me two weeks and I’d still be screaming. You are doing a brilliant job; we just don’t have enough coming in.”
Somehow that fifth time I heard him. I purposely sat still, sat my consciousness still, and really listened. Do you know that next month unexpected unemployment funds showed up and our car payment was forgiven for one month? Ever since really tuning in and listening that day, our finances have been 100% easier to deal with and our money has stretched further. We are even with a new bank that is helping us save.
I know how to inspire others, but the real work, the real treasure is knowing how to sit still and let others nurture me.
Love and blessings,
Dr. Ni