Thoughts to Inspire Women During the Holiday Hustle and Bustle

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” are wonderful favorite things at home, but when year-end looms and the hustle and bustle of holidays leave a woman breathless and resorting to chocolate, simply remembering these business-friendly favorite things can help.

TIME

My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.” – Steve Jobs

When you realize the value of time–yours and everyone else’s–you will guard it more closely. When you are with your family, be present. Your children grow rapidly. When you work, give your work every ounce of your energy during the hours you spend there. Treat your time like the precious commodity it is.

VALUE

A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business. – Henry Ford

Money does not make the world go ‘round. Money is a tool that we trade for other things we desire. The longevity of any company comes from doing or providing something extraordinary for others.

GOLDEN RULE

We treat our people like royalty. If you honor and serve the people who work for you, they will honor and serve you. – Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, lived by and operated her company under the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Take a lesson from her rulebook; treat your employees, co-workers, and customers with respect, honor, and kindness. Your business will bloom accordingly.

INDIVIDUALITY

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. – Mark Twain

Dare to be different. Dare to express yourself. Are you catering to the majority even when you believe they are wrong? The most unforgetable women in the world are most often the ones who march to the beat of a different drummer.

POWER

I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves. – Mary Shelley

You have the power inside you right now to make your life, business, and world exactly what you desire it to be. Celebrate your power!

PASSION

Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. – Oprah

What excites you? Perhaps it has been so long since you thought about your passions that you couldn’t think of anything anymore that truly excites you. Think about the things that bring an instant smile to your face. It is likely those are exactly the things about which you are passionate. Build those elements into your career, and you will never lack for energy or enthusiasm.

LUCK

In the end, you make your own luck-good, bad, or indifferent.  – Loretta Lynn

It happens to the even best, most successful women; they begin to feel like they cannot catch a lucky break. Luck is only the ability to seize opportunities when they present themselves. Make your own good luck by continually learning, preparing and growing toward success.

PERSISTENCE

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. – Margaret Thatcher

There is no shame in a do-over. Start again. The perfect job might have presented itself at an imperfect company. Try another company. If you could not close the ideal customer this year, try again next year. Eventually, your persistence will pay off.

GROWTH

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. – Henry David Thoreau

Reflect on what you learned on the way to your achievement. How did this part of the journey change you? What did you learn? Who have you become as a result? More often than not, the woman who began the journey is not the same one who finished it. Appreciate your own growth. You desire to be the roaring river, not the stagnant pond.

WORK

I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it. – Estee Lauder

You will never build an empire with dreams and magic. Hard work remains the only surefire way to achieve your goals, therefore, make hard work one of your favorite things. Instead of seeing the long hours as drudgery, see them as paving the roads of your empire.

Between holidays and year-end lies a period of craziness that can leave a woman overwhelmed and in need of inspiration. While chocolate has been known to make a woman feel better, even briefly more powerful, chocolate cannot replace time, luck or passion to create the life you want and love. Simply remember these favorite things.