Diversifying Your Circle of Influence

As I embark upon the first anniversary of living the dream, I reflect upon the wondrous journey of entrepreneurship. The first thing that comes to mind is I AM HERE and STILL I RISE! Being a womanpreneur is a unique and sometimes bitter sweet divine appointment for me. I would be lying if I said 2008 didn’t present “bitter” moments so in full transparency I must say there were moments when I thought I was not going to make it. There were two occasions where I opened Career Link to look for a job and became physically sickened by the mere click of it all. There were two jobs I applied for yet turned down. There was a little voice inside that said “no! none of that is for you, keep walking in faith even when you don’t see the next step or know the outcome. Obediently, I walked my journey sometimes in darkness, yet I kept moving. Today I know for sure that if I just focus on living on purpose all my needs will be met!

It’s amazing the support, guidance and mentorship I received during the past year. Women from diverse backgrounds came to my aid, offered to help, listened to my story and walked with me on this journey of freedom and personal power. When I stepped out on faith to live my dream of entrepreneurship, I thought a “certain” kind of woman would be right there with me. I just knew that woman XY or Z would be willing to help along the way. Boy was I surprised. Then reality set in. I needed to diversify my circle of influence. I needed to step outside of what I knew and what was most comfortable and reach out to people who were genuinely interested in helping another woman live their dream.

I even took huge steps to reach out to women who seemed unreachable, and what a wonderful surprise it was to see them embrace my vision. I share my story with all authenticity because it is important that we as women not fear asking for help. We must look beyond what is right in front of us and see the possibilities even when they can not be clearly identified. We have to be willing to believe that women from diverse backgrounds have a tremendous amount of value and contribution to help us manifest our desires.

I live to give! I now more than ever realize the importance of just seeing people with no expectations. In the past month women have reached out to me seeking a variety of things and many reaching out and not really knowing what they need but knowing they need something. Women of all ages, races and geographic locations are seeking to be inspired and empowered. I have recommitted to consistently displaying the aura of acceptance. An aura that allows any woman to know that I am reachable despite who she is, what she looks like or where she lives.

There is great power in diversifying your circle of influence. There is great spiritual reward in creating an aura that speaks to the souls of people. As I continue to diversify my circle, I know and eagerly await the opportunities to engage with fabulous women.

I offer you a few suggestions on diversifying your circle:

1. Seek to add women who are smarter than you and glean from their wisdom.

2. Seek to add women who are more financially prosperous than you and learn how to create your own prosperity.

3. Seek to add women who look different than you and become enlightened by their cultural experiences.

4. Seek to add women who have yet to arrive where you are and give back to the world by mentoring another woman.

5. Seek to add women who are fully living the dream and be inspired to live your dreams.

I am living the dream, a vibrant life and loving my newfound diversified circle of women!

By Catrice Jackson