Have you ever wondered what you have in common with a Victoria’s Secret model? No, I haven’t been nipping the bottle. I’m perfectly serious. You may be thinking, “She’s off her rocker! I’m not a six-foot tall Amazon with the body of Barbie. On a good day, I can barely reach the top shelf of the refrigerator and am sporting my grandmother’s hips!”
Honestly, I’ve never spent any time comparing myself to a lingerie model, that is until I watched the last V.S. Angel Fashion Show. The greatest part of the evening was the advice one seasoned model shared with a nervous newbie. She told her that being a successful Angel is not about height, weight, leg length or hair color. Victoria’s Secret is knowing how to strut.
Aaaaahhhhh….the heavens parted and I could almost hear angels singing…well, actually it was the Black Eyed Peas. But I realized at that moment that strutting really has nothing to do with simply putting one foot in front of the other. Your ability to “strut” has everything to do with your attitude, your belief in yourself — confidence that exudes from your core. I’d never thought about it that way, but when a woman is emotionally sure-footed it shows.
Now before you begin formulating a handful of excuses why you think this doesn’t apply to you, just bear with me for a few more lines. The truth is that all women are capable of being just like one of the goddesses of runway modeling. It’s a matter of having the courage to be who you were born to be. When you learn to engage your natural gifts, passions and values you can’t help strutting your stuff. The challenge lies in loving and living who you really are every day, rather than what the world might suggest you should be.
The most successful businesswomen know how to leverage the best of who they are, and strut in their communications, business decisions, partnerships and style. On the outside, they come in all shapes and sizes. On the inside, they walk ten feet tall with the best and stand out in the crowd. No matter what arena you compete in, confidence must start on the inside to be evident and genuine on the outside. Are you nurturing the seeds of greatness that lie within you?
Take a single step forward today and think of one thing that makes you uniquely and beautifully you. That simple acknowledgement of self has amazing power. Just imagine what could happen if you were to embrace your potential and apply it to your business. Your strut may start out as a whisper, but know that you are capable of matching skills in jeans and sneakers with the likes of Heidi Klum in four-inch heels and a thong.
WORK GREAT!