Last summer, Leaning In was the “new black” of attitudes and catchphrases. God bless Sheryl Sandberg for kicking over the proverbial corporate ladder–women are not limited to one straight shot to the top.
We girls are creative, we can forge our own path. Think of it like swinging from a jungle gym–there are different pathways and places to play for everyone. And the best part? You don’t have to be on the playground alone. According to Sandberg, the way to the top is with your sister girlfriends in hand, or in circles as she likes to put it.
Well, we saw the power of a posse play out on the runway of this summer’s BlogU Conference:
Leaning In and Leaning On Are Not Mutually Exclusive
Erin: Yeah, we brought out the bold for that sentiment.
Ellen: Although, now I kind of have the quippy sharks from Finding Nemo running through my head: “Fish are friends, not food.”
Erin: You know what? That works, too. You don’t have to devour another woman or bite a chunk out of her mojo to make yourself look better. As the idiom goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats.”
Ellen: And that is what the BlogU conference personified in spades . . . or oars or whatever will keep this metaphor going.
Erin: But don’t turn away, non-bloggers! These are NOT blogging truths. These are lessons that every woman needs: Collaboration is good . . .
Ellen: And absolutely possible. As part of the BlogU faculty we were lucky enough to be in the test lab that proves women can work together without ego, manipulation, or power-gaming.
Erin: We saw it happen. With thirty-six women. I mean just look at us.
Ellen: And behold . . .
Real Lessons For Our Daughters
Some are silly, some are serious, but as we like to say, “Sensible and funny are not mutually exclusive.”
1. You can make your dream happen.
It’s great to dream, but action is what changes your life and the lives of those around you. Stephanie Giese from Binkies and Briefcases is the mastermind and owner of BlogU. She went from “You guys, I’ve always wanted to create a blog conference” to “I’ve booked us a space” to “Wow, that just happened” in less than a year. Many hours in between were spent herding cats. Yeah, we just referred to the lovelies above dressed in retro threads for the NickMom prom as unruly cats, but they know it’s true. Especially Karen Alpert from Baby Sideburns. See if you can pick her out in the picture above. Just give it a try. Oh heck, we’ll just lean in and help you out.
2. Making dreams happen is a lot of work.
“That just happened,” doesn’t just happen. Planning, striving, and putting in the hours is required. Each of the women on our keynote panel has “made it” in the blogging/writing world, but they nakedly shared just how much work their successes required. It could be said that they had some breaks, but what they actually did was make their own luck. Then they put their noses to the grindstone to capitalize on it. They did not just dabble, they cannonballed into their dreams.
3. Buuuttt, there’s always room for silliness and fun.
You can be a powerhouse but still kick back and have a good time. Movers and shakers sometimes just have to, well, shake it. There is a definite confidence required to be silly. Silliness is what lightens spirits and binds girlfriends together. It is what you can hold in your heart to get you through rougher times.
4. You can relive your youth.
But there will be one difference . . . you’ll be free from the apprehensions and turmoil of youth so it can be even better. There is nothing more attractive than confidence.
And if your prom dress still fits, it makes it even easier to relive the glory . . . or live something even better.
5. Sometimes it is freeing to just be with the girls.
It feeds your soul to hang out with your girlfriends. And we’ll take that one step further with a secret that took us 20 odd years to realize: Prom is better without the guys. All you really want to do is dance in a circle with your friends. NickMom was generous enough to give us our own prom where we made that happen. We love our husbands, don’t get us wrong, but a fun night out with the girls can be a very good thing.
6. Patting someone on the back is better than stabbing them there.
There is a whole lot of room at the top. Check out all the boys stretched out there enjoying themselves. If we want a Barcalounger there too, we need to help each other out and acknowledge the girls who are getting it done. Giving someone credit for her hard work does not diminish your accomplishments. And if she has what you want? Work for it! Save the petty jealousies for reality TV.
7. Get out of your comfort zone.
Sometimes we convince ourselves to think small, dream small, speak small. When you start out dreaming of going to the moon; don’t talk yourself out of it. Sure it can all be scary, but that’s why you hold hands before you jump.
And never let yourself get too comfortable resting on your laurels. You are never too accomplished to accomplish something new. Keep leaping. Ilana from Mommy Shorts overcame her fear of public speaking at BlogU . . . and she enjoyed it. Prepare. Breathe. Leap.
And last but not least . . .
8. Cupcakes are exciting at any age.
And good girlfriends tell you when you have frosting on your face. Never, ever, never, sweet daughters, forgo an opportunity to have that cupcake, to take that break. Enjoy the sweetness and enjoy the laughs.
So thank you Sheryl Sandberg for getting us all riled up last summer. When we made it to BlogU this year, we saw for ourselves that leaning in and leaning on are not mutually exclusive. There’s nothing sweeter than the taste of success especially when you got there with your friends. That might be the only thing that trumps cupcakes.
-Erin and Ellen
Love this post, love you both and especially love “Leaning In and Leaning On Are Not Mutually Exclusive” it totally deserved the bold treatment you gave it!
Anna ~ Random Handprints recently posted..Top Ten Things I Learned at the 2014 BlogU Conference #BlogU14
Best. Wrap-Up. Ever. I am now stalking your blog. You have been warned.
I completely agree on the collaboration! And everything else too. We’re all better off when we realize one person’s success doesn’t take away from another’s…we can all help each other!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted..Women Entrepreneurs: Are You Ready to Launch a New Business?
This is so fantastic. You two are some fine human beings..and I am so fortunate to call you friends. xox
I absolutely love this! Love how you incorporated ALL THE DAMN FUN I MISSED to not only inspire me but to make me cry in my coffee. 😉
Great wrap-up! Glad you had a blast! One day…ONE DAY *shaking fist into the air*…I, too, will meet you girls dressed in teal taffeta.
Michelle – You’re my favorite today. recently posted..Saturday Favorites – Happy Dance, a Brady Bunch Earworm and One Stupendiferous Dude
You ladies just made me adore you even MORE. You’re magical.
Kim Bongiorno at Let Me Start By Saying recently posted..Parenting Apps I Wish Existed
You are a big part of the “Leaning On” coalition, Kim. Not only are you generous with your knowledge and time, you can rock out a purple prom gown and do the splits with a soft cast on. So, YOU are magical! Ellen
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