‘THE SUCCESS OF EVERY WOMAN SHOULD BE THE INSPIRATION TO ANOTHER. WE SHOULD RAISE EACH OTHER UP. MAKE SURE YOU’RE VERY COURAGEOUS: BE STRONG, BE EXTREMELY KIND, AND ABOVE ALL, BE HUMBLE’
– SERENA WILLIAMS
Think of the last time a woman took you under her wing and guided you along. Did it feel reassuring knowing someone wanted you to succeed? Did you feel grateful to the woman who extended her hand for you?
Working through challenges, finding common ground and breaking through some tough barriers – great things have happened when women have come together and built each other up. When you know you’re supported by your kin, you feel empowered. Your confidence raises. You feel unstoppable.
When was the last time you felt that encouraged? When was the last time you projected this encouragement on to someone else?! Supporting one another does not mean diminishing yourself. It means making each other stronger and wiser. And we need to be doing much, much more of that! But what does support really look like? How can *you* play your part? Here are some things we believe can help aid in this movement.
Observe Your Language
As women, many of us have been conditioned to minimize each other without even realizing it. The ‘feminine’ language we’ve been assigned by society tends to focus on only physical features. If you Google descriptors for women, you’ll get a list of words like adorable, gorgeous, attractive, fragile, etc. A similar search for men will give you results like strong, robust, dependable, hard-working, assertive. Break this cycle of minimizing women! When you’re trying to compliment a woman, instead of saying something like ‘you’re so pretty’ – say ‘you’re strong/powerful/driven/focused’….etc. We need to support other women vociferously, and with the right language. This is the first step to doing so!
Stay Accountable For Her, And For Yourself
When you’re showing support to someone, try to dole out some constructive feedback that will help her stay accountable to her goals. This means giving feedback that’s actually insightful and helpful. It keeps her on track and it keeps you in encouragement. What you’ll find is that support feels great. Uplifting your fellow women brings feelings of uplift for you as well! Just like it feels wonderful to be encouraged, it also feels amazing to encourage others. This shift of perspective is a tool of momentum that garners courage in both parties.
Be Present. Show Up. Voice Your Pride
Here’s the thing: a celebration doesn’t always have to be a party with champagne. It can be, in fact, as simple as a quick email, text, hug, or maybe a glass of wine! Celebrate her work and her efforts with these meaningful encouragement nuggets. As women, we’re in this together, and it’s important to make a deliberate effort to show up. Even a little token of appreciation means more than you think to another person!
We want our fellow females to be empowered, encouraged and fearless.
TechMae ™ Mobile App is built on this very principle – that of solidarity and support towards all women! If you’re looking for a safe space to foster a supportive network of like-minded women – download TechMae today!