When she’s not shaping brands into successful businesses, New York City beauty PR consultant Renae Bluitt spends her time shining light and celebrating powerful women. She launched the blog, In Her Shoes, six years ago as a way to introduce her community to the inspiring women surrounding her, all whom were chasing their dreams and paving their own paths. As a savvy female entrepreneur herself, the importance of paying it forward is not lost on Renae; rather, she believes that building someone else up is not only her responsibility, but a mutually beneficial way to support and foster success for females everywhere. Ever the positive presence, today Renae is sharing her five tips for supporting the achievements of others (and how that can come full circle). –Sabrina
“Trying to reach a certain level of success in our careers doesn’t mean we have to stop helping others.”
“Power is the ability to do good things for others.”
“Supporting another person’s dreams won’t ever dampen yours.”
We’ve heard all of these words of wisdom many times before, but how often to we really apply them? The holiday season is upon us, so while we’re in the spirit of giving, let’s keep in mind that giving doesn’t always have to involve material things. Giving time, giving love, and in this case, giving your support to someone’s dreams can be much more valuable than any gift you can ever buy.
In Her Shoes
“I am my sister’s keeper” is more than just a catchphrase for me; it’s a way of life. When I launched In Her Shoes in 2009, it was because I realized that something I desperately needed was missing in the blogosphere. There were plenty of beauty and style bloggers in the world, but not enough digital content shining light on women taking the road less traveled. Women who walked (or ran!) away from comfy, cozy 9-5’s to enter the world of dream-chasing and brand-building. Women who know that the “perfect” opportunity doesn’t exist for everyone, so some of us have to create it. While many do an excellent job of making entrepreneurship look glamorous, on most days it’s far from it. The gratification I feel when I’m truly doing what I love is priceless, but the uncertainties that come with being my own boss can be quite a load to handle. That said, it’s important that I’m surrounded by people who believe in me and want to take me higher. I need people in my corner who want to see me win and I want the same for them.
If you’re thinking that this level of support is pretty much impossible to find, think again. As a firm believer in the fact that we attract what we are, I know that I have to give support in order to receive it. Celebrating and supporting others is not only the right thing to do, it’s the catalyst for good karma. We all know how it goes, you reap what you sow. Good intentions and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness.
If you’re ready to lend a hand without expectations but don’t know where to start, read on. Following are my top five tips for supporting the success of others:
1. Be a mentor
Don’t have time to mentor because you’re too busy, eh? Come with a better excuse. When you were finding your way, there was someone in your life that took time out of their demanding schedule to steer you in the right direction. It’s time to pay it forward. Become a mentor. And let’s be clear, mentoring doesn’t only benefit the mentee. Every generation has their strengths, and mentor relationships are a great way to learn from one another so we can all be the best versions of ourselves. Plus, who’s going to help you keep up with the latest dances?
2. Be ready to have “courageous” conversations
Supporting others doesn’t mean that we’re going to agree with everything they do. We need to be willing to say to another person that we didn’t like something he/she did or said and do it in a respectful and private way where we’re still building them up, not pulling them down.
3. Share and collaborate
If you’re chatting it up with someone and you have a great idea, don’t feel like you have to keep it to yourself. Feel free to share and collaborate. We lift others as we climb by collaborating versus competing.
Competing is healthy, so there’s definitely a time and place for it, but everything doesn’t have to be a competition.
4. Each one teach one
One of the easiest ways to help others is to simply share your knowledge. You don’t have to be in front of a classroom to teach. Every day there is an opportunity to educate someone about your area of expertise.
5. Take action
Think of five people you know that you could extend a helping hand to this week. Whether making an introduction, sharing a useful resource, writing a recommendation, or offering a few words of praise in the presence of other decision makers — doing so won’t diminish your power, it will only enhance it.
“We may grow muscles by lifting weights, but we grow powerful by lifting each other.” – unknown source
via Design*Sponge