An online presence is commonplace these days. The online environment can really help you thrive by connecting with others! 

Since starting my blog six years ago, I have talked to many people who are fearful of showing up and being seen online. Due to this fear, they either don’t put themselves out there or if they do, they do it in a way that doesn’t showcase their strengths. It takes courage to put yourself out there and be seen on a global stage; one bad occurrence may stop you completely. I can relate.

Here you are a smart, strong, beautiful young woman who graduated and is now working hard to make your way in the world. You are ambitious and have this fire in your heart to make the world a better place. You want your voice to be heard and have the capabilities to lead. Yet, on your rise to the top, you are having a hard time being taken seriously and being seen as more than a just pretty face. Sound familiar?

On my personal journey developing a career as a professional woman, I have been dealt many waves to de-stabalize me along my way; some involve criticism, some relate to unequal power dynamics. These waves can get me off my game, faking me out to believe I am unworthy or that my voice doesn’t matter.

“You’ve been dealt a lot of waves on your path,” a friend commented recently while talking with me about my first years as an entrepreneur. Without hesitation I replied, “Good thing I’m an amazing paddler!”

Hope you are having an awesome holiday season. I can’t believe it is almost 2017. Check out the top self-discovery quotes taken from blog posts from the past year. Then be sure to click on their name to read the full article.  Also check the Instagram feed @theariannamerritt to see the quotes as images!

Today, I am excited to bring you one of my role models, Andrea Burk. Through sport, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Andrea several times.  She lights up the room with her awesome smile and infectious energy. She has achieved great success in women’s rugby, as well as in speaking and leadership development.

Today, I invited Maria Gonzalez to share with us how taking care of herself through mindfulness has elevated her business and personal life. Maria Gonzalez (BCom, MBA) is an award-winning and best-selling author and a 30-year business veteran as a corporate executive and entrepreneur.  She believes that Mindfulness transforms lives and organizations, and that it has the potential to transform society. She has been meditating regularly since 1991 and teaching Mindfulness since 2002. I’m so grateful to share her wise words with you all! 

How can self-care REALLY help my career? Do I really have to make it a priority?

These are common questions I am often asked by busy people trying to stay afloat. With all the demands of our fast-paced lives, many of us put ourselves last and think of self-care as sleep.

However, putting ourselves on the backburner isn’t good for us. I couldn’t agree more.  Self-care is so much more than sleep. We need time to think, create, and innovate. So I invited Jac to share how making self-care a priority has empowered her as a wife, mom, and owner of two businesses.

Do you find teaching stressful?  

Teaching is a demanding job; it has been said to be one of the most stressful jobs, as it can be 24/7 focusing on students’ needs. Camosun College psychology instructor Dr. Judy Caldwell has been teaching 1st and 2nd year psychology courses at Camosun for the past 16 years. Over that time, she has learned how to find work/life balance. I had the pleasure of working with Judy for a year while I was the department’s Instructional Assistant. Being in her presence and seeing the bright energy she brought to the classroom daily, I had to ask her to share her insight to inspire our days to be more positive. 

This is a question that is near and dear to my heart. Being born and raised in Ottawa, I am very familiar with Canada’s political landscape. From my experience, one key strategy to increase women’s participation in government is through connecting with mentors. For example, at an event in 2014, I had the privilege to hear the Hon. Michelle Rempel, MP, speak. Afterwards, I realized that I was the only young woman under the age of 50 in the room. I emailed her after sharing that fact, and she called me. Over our chat, she empowered me to be the change I wish I to see in the world. Since then, I have been driven to get more involved in politics and encourage other girls and women to stand tall and be change agents too.

That teacher is Sue B. Zimmerman who is the industry go-to Instagram expert. I saw Sue speak at Social Media Camp 2016 last May.  She inspired me even before she took the stage, as the stage was filled with fun hashtag signs and brightly-coloured props.  On the podium, Sue inspired the audience with her positivity and passion, encouraging us to be as excited as she is about Instagram! She gave us practical examples for making Instagram simple.  After her talk, Sue was available to connect personally; she taught my friend and I how to take an awesome selfie. Months later, I am still inspired by Sue - as both a role model and teacher.  As my “thank you,” I am introducing you all to her today, as I know many of you are looking for quality resources to amplify your online presence.  

How do you invest in yourself? 

At The Self-Discovery Retreat, we empower each other to develop a positive sense of self. Many of us are caring professionals who spend our days helping others reach their goals and put ourselves second. What I have learned though, is that by putting ourselves first and taking care of ourselves, we will be helping more people in the long run.

Simply put, my purpose is to make people’s lives brighter; as a community-builder and researcher, I am always looking for resources to help you shine. Last year, I happened upon an article by Miriam Linderman called, “Thriving Women, Thriving Economies” about her experience at the Vancouver Board of Trade’s B.C. Economic Forum: Women As a Catalyst for Growth event. Miriam, I discovered, is a Canadian entrepreneur who left the corporate world to start her own coaching practice. I loved her advice in the article so I reached out and emailed her. Since then, we have Skyped a few times and I was inspired to invite her to share her insights with all of you - to introduce you to this wonderful woman who is empowering us all to shine a little brighter.