Last Saturday, a group of women entered the 2019 #WhyNotMe Dream Factory to contemplate their goals for the year; they were asked to ponder the question: “This time next year, where do I want to be?” The event took place at the Peel Art Gallery Museum & Archives (PAMA), in downtown Brampton.

How it all Began

To understand the #WhyNotMe event, let me go back to 2016, when I hosted a Handbag of Hope workshop where attendees were asked to bring new or slightly-used handbags to donate to a women’s shelter in Brampton and a Violence Against Women’s program to a non-profit organization.

In 2017, I hosted a Career Renovation Workshop, where we discussed the job search process, identified roadblocks to career advancement, and got up to speed with the core principles of modern resumes.

Vision 2018 (on National Vision Board Day)

Last year, this event was specifically for women to begin empowering themselves to reach their goals by creating a vision board. Instead of paying to attend, participants were asked to donate diapers for another non-profit organization in Brampton. Incidentally, it was at the end of the event that Shelly Elsliger; a friend, fellow Career Specialist, Founder of LinkedIn in High Heels, and workshop participant, proclaimed that this day was very special because it was, National Vision Board Day (celebrated on the second Saturday of January) and none of us were aware that such a day even existed.

2019 – #WhyNotMe Professional Development Day

This year, I decided to take it up a notch, collaborate with some participants from last year who had expressed an interest, and offered something different. I thought of what I should call this year’s event. As I pondered, a recurring thought kept nudging at me: how many times we women have shied away from opportunities because our inner voice keeps saying, “I can’t do it”; “I am going to fail”; “I don’t measure up”; “offer it to someone else”, or “I am not good enough”. I figured it was time to send the message loud and clear that your most courageous self awaits and thus the stage was set for #WhyNotMe?

The event opened with my introduction and explanation of the #WhyNotMe theme, and why it was important for us to step up to the plate, instead of backing down. I also introduced the Japanese concept Ikigai (iki-guy). Ikigai is about one’s purpose or passion, and how to achieve greater happiness all around. Of course, from a career perspective, it’s how to find a job or vocation that makes us want to get up in the morning. It was Confucius who said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Many of us talk about making a career change, and believe it’s all about having a great resume, and uploading it to a job board. It’s not. We need to consider what this change could and should look like, and the Ikigai tool is a good place to start.

 

Shelly Elsliger led the group through, “Owning Our Space and Unleashing the Power of your Personal Presence”. She handed out “I Am….” Stickers for us to come up with a word or phrase, but not a title. That formed the basis for creating powerful brand statements. It also paved the way for authentic networking, developing and leading with a power-mindset and pose, aligning well with the #WhyNotMe theme. Her session ended with a brief discussion about LinkedIn and how your online story can help you own your rightful place and space online. (Below is Shelly with her famous ‘Red Shoe’.

After Shelly, it was Alicia Sullivan, who spoke about Mentoring and Sponsorship; clearly stating that they were not interchangeable. She emphasized that in order to advance our careers, we should look at sponsorship, and the usual route to get a sponsor is to make sure our work and activities allow us to be on the radar of an influencer. She warned that, when we do get a sponsor, we should not take him or her for granted because this individual is putting his or her career on the line to help us advance in our careers.

 

Taranum Khan arrived just in time to end the day. Taranum focused on what it means to believe in order to achieve. She made a point of telling participants that believing in yourself first is key, and not to allow any doubters and naysayers to take up any precious space. Taranum also took the group through some simple breathing exercises. We often do not pay much attention to the process of breathing even though we can use the power of breathing to relieve stress, increase alertness, deepen focus, and feel calmer and more relaxed. A great way to end a great day!

 

Our official photographer, Mushahid Khan, doubled as an entertainer, as he serenaded the group with a song “Save Myself”; a lovely way to cap off an empowering day and ensure that everyone was walking away remembering to never lose sight of themselves and the power each and every woman has within themselves to make things happen. (Was unable to upload Mushahid’s video).

 

Giveaways

We had several give-aways: copies of Shelly’s Power Shoe and LinkedIn High Heels Manifesto, a copy of “Awaken Your Inner Hero”, and a piece of jewellery from Felicia Simpson. The surprise of the day was that everyone received a copy of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s book, “Becoming”. This book directly aligned with the #WhyNotMe theme, as well as putting the focus on the question: “This time next year, where do I want to be…?” Of course, we piggy-backed on Michelle Obama’s hashtag of #IAmBecoming, as a reminder of the steps we will be taking to achieve our goals.

Sample Feedback

  • “Dear Daisy, thank you for hosting such an empowering event yesterday. I learnt a lot from each presentation, and I am more motivated about my goal setting for the year. I would love to keep in touch. Thank you again.”
  • “It was great meeting you at the Why Not Me event yesterday. I learnt a lot specifically on owning my space and customizing my LinkedIn profile to tell a story. I am still working on my personal brand value statement and I’ve decided not to be a lurker anymore. Thanks.”
  • “Very worthwhile time. Great connections that I did not expect.”
  • “Will be using the Ikigai concept to achieve my goals.”
  • “I learned how to connect with people branding, and positivity. Looking forward to getting myself a good mentor.”
  • “Learning how to believe and reassure myself.”

Heartfelt Gratitude

 

Thanks to:

  • Each and every attendee, even those who couldn’t stay for the entire day. Without your presence, we wouldn’t have been able to have this special #WhyNotMe day.
  • Graphic artist, and attendee, Jasmine Rock, who created the #WhyNotMe Dream Factory poster. All I did during a phone call was to give her an idea of what I was looking for, and she made it happen.

Thanks again to Mushahid for his contributions. I appreciate when talented young people like he and Jasmine can get involved and showcase their skills.

  • Shelly, Alicia, and Taranum, for your energy and wisdom. Saturday’s event really started after last year’s Visioning Day. Thanks for staying true to your word to participate this year. Thanks also for the gifts.
  • The staff at Peel Art Gallery Museum & Archives (PAMA). The ambience was phenomenal (attendees agreed) and Monika -your assistance was outstanding, and very much appreciated.
  •  Felicia Simpson for showcasing her jewellery collection.

Post-Event Resources

Books:

  • Self-Promotion for Introverts, Nancy Ancowitz
  • One Small Step Can Change Your Life (The Kaizen Way), Robert Maurer, Ph.D. (a recommendation from my colleague Jane Harnadek)
  • This Woman Can, The No Bullsh*t Guide for Women Who Lead, Janice Sutherland
  • (Forget a Mentor) Find a Sponsor, Sylvia Ann Hewlett
  • The 4 Agreements, Don Manual Ruiz
  • Referenced was also made to Christine Brown-Quinn’s chapter on Mentoring and Sponsorship in my book Tell Stories Get Hired.

NOW, IT IS YOUR TURN TO ANSWER THE QUESTION:

“This time next year, where do I want to be…?” Will you step up to the plate and say:

#WhyNotMe?

Are you ready to accelerate your career progress? If so, ask for me for details about the 6-month, 12-session individual or group career coaching program that’s about to start.

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About Me: Other than being the Chief Encouragement Officer at The Wright Career Solution, I am a certified career management coach and certified career development practitioner helping clients find satisfying careers and get hired FASTER! I specialize in career transition coaching, professional resume writing, interview coaching, and LinkedIn Profile development. Connect with me here on LinkedIn or on Twitter: @CareerTips2Go.