How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life(65)
Your team is there to help you make life’s toughest decisions. When I was applying for graduate school, I remember THINKING I wanted to get in and ACTING like I wanted to, but my soul spoke up and got me to stop writing the essay for the application. I didn’t truly FEEL good about going to graduate school, and that feeling led me to pursue my current career. Your team members will give you hints, so don’t ignore them. In addition, don’t ever feel like your mind, body, and soul are wrong if other people have different ideas about what you should be doing. It’s your team. They play FOR YOU.
The next time you do something, pay attention to the feeling you have afterward. If you feel guilty about your actions, chances are your team is not aligned. If you regret saying something, chances are you’re not in sync. If the 140 characters you type on Twitter don’t reflect your character offline, you have some team building to do. It’s a beautiful feeling to have your mind, body, and soul all working together to achieve a common goal. When everything is in harmony, you’ll never have to lie or be fake. You can just be unapologetically yourself. Talk about #SquadGoals.
Listen to your mind. Work with your body. Feel with your soul. Be in sync. Be so N’sync that when you leave a room, you say, “Baby, bye bye bye.”
Get in Sync
Think of a big decision you have coming up and answer these three questions.
What do I think I should do?
What do I feel I should do?
What will I actually do?
OUT OF THE BLUE
2007 I am nineteen years old and I’ve been calling myself Superwoman for years now. I’m not really sure I’ve earned that title, though. I think it just sounds cool and makes me feel empowered. The name helps me believe that I can get through anything, but that might just be silly of me.
I’m listening to Alicia Keys’s song “Superwoman” on repeat, completely mesmerized by the music video. It features strong women who have overcome challenges and exude confidence. They deserve to be called Superwomen. No one would dispute that. I watch them with admiration, dreaming about the day when I’ll be truly worthy of such a title. I want to be strong like them. I want to fight like them. I want to stand for something, like they do.
I’m inspired by the lyrics, but the feeling I have listening to the song is also bittersweet. Deep down I’m fearful that none of these words will ever apply to me. What if I’m destined for nothing great at all? What if my cape fades away and the S on my chest is just a teenage delusion? I don’t know where I want to go in life or what I want to be. All I know is that I want to do something special and be known for something.
That would be a dream come true.
2016 I’m twenty-seven years old and I’ve been calling myself Superwoman for years now. In fact, millions of people around the world also know me by that name. Superwoman is a symbol for strength and empowerment. Young girls and boys make an S symbol with their fingers and beam with pride. I guess it makes them feel like they can get through anything.
My journey as Superwoman has taken me to a lot of cool places, but tonight I’m definitely at one of the coolest. I’m in Sicily, Italy, and we’re heading to a private dinner at an ancient temple. We arrive, and it’s absolutely stunning, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I have a delicious meal while surrounded by amazing people and engaged in great conversation. I didn’t think the night could get any better, but then it does.
Beneath the stars, I stand by the ancient ruins and listen to Alicia Keys perform live. Her voice is like food for my soul. I am captivated by her energy. I close my eyes and live the moment as thoroughly as I possibly can, feeling blessed for this opportunity. She finishes her set with power and grace, and I feel as if her performance has added years to my life.
I go back to my table and start gathering my things to leave. I’m feeling so overwhelmed that I almost don’t notice the tap on my shoulder. I turn around and see the gorgeous face of Alicia Keys smiling at me. She says to me, “I was going to sing ‘Superwoman’ for you.” A wave of emotion overcomes me. In that moment, I’ve officially been dubbed a Superwoman. She goes on to say how proud she is of everything I’m doing, with my book, lipstick, and #GirlLove campaign. She knows I stand for something, and those things are special.
This moment is a dream come true.