women in business

At the IWD Ashorne Hill event I attended, the panel of women were asked what advice they would give to their younger selves. It made me pause and reflect on mine. Work has always mattered deeply to me, but it took time to learn how to give it my energy without giving it all of me. If I could sit beside the ambitious woman I was at 25, I’d love to share a few things I’ve only come to understand along the way. She might not listen, of course. At 25 she was stubborn, determined, and very good at nodding politely while doing exactly what she’d already decided. So perhaps the first thing I’d say is this: Really listen.Don’t just pay lip service to advice. Give yourself time to reflect on the merits of what’s being said. The uncomfortable parts are often the most useful. Trust your mind, your voice, and your instincts.Don’t overthink or give other people’s opinions more weight than your own.Speak up sooner. Your instinct can serve you well. When something feels off, it usually is. Slow down to speed up.Rest isn’t indulgent; it’s what keeps you sharp.(Narrow boating taught me that long before I realised it.) Perfection is not always neededPerfection in all things could drive her, and at times everyone around her, to distraction.Think about where it truly adds value and don’t apply it by default. Ask for helpAsking for help isn’t a weakness. People want to help, and it’s often a compliment to be asked.  Learning from others is one of the smartest things she can do. Invest your energy wiselyThe right people will value her, and she should be selective about where she invests her energy. Not every room deserves her effort, and not every voice needs her attention. And maybe I’d tell her one more thing. That she doesn’t have to have it all figured out at 25. That the real growth happens in the living, not the planning, so she should let herself enjoy the ride. Here’s to all the young women at the start of their journeys and to those of us still very much on ours.