In the last week, I lost count of the breakfasts and lunches that we had around our beautiful city dedicated to celebrating woman.
I was the keynote speaker at one of these events for the National Association of Women in Operations (NAWO) speaking about “Our Personal Power to Influence” and it got me thinking about all the wonderful woman in my life who have shaped my perspective of the world.
As I was speaking about our power to influence – I started to consider all the traits of the women in my life who have had the power to influence me.
Two of those women are my daughters. Time seems to just rush past so very quickly and my two baby girls who once had pigtails are now grown beautiful women aged 19 and 21. I look at Emma and Laura every day in wonder about how they are making their way in a very different word to what I grew up in. This world changes very rapidly and has significantly more pressure – and yet they are making their way in that world with courage and determination. They are proof to me every day that you can achieve anything if you just put your mind to it. Emma has bought her own home late last year and is building a life for herself studying and working to be a Medical Practice Manager. Laura has a job in retail where she gains daily comments about her professionalism and customer service and is one of the most genuine, honest and loving women I know. They both have their challenges as well, but they ask for advice, talk through their issues and are willing to brainstorm solutions.
We recently had this photo taken at Christmas and a friend of the family suggested we pose like “Charlie’s Angels”. Emma turned and stated, “We aren’t any bodies angels – we’re Jane Bonds”. My first thought as I tossed my head back laughing (when the photographer captured the moment)- “My work here is done”.
My beautiful Mum has also been a significant influence in my life. Interestingly we were very different in a lot of ways. I was always a bull at a gate, a bulldog and bossy as a kid (and some would say as an adult as well). But her very presence was calming to me. She slowed me down and taught me that all stress was only temporary. Her expression “This too will be over” constantly resonates for me. During some very difficult times, the presence of my Mum with this saying on her lips was a constant comfort. It is like she is still with me every day. In 2011 my Mum was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. She was the longest survivor after diagnosis in Australia, having succumbed to this horrible disease in 2018. I am sure it was her pure will that got her through it. I feel regret everyday that I did not spend more time with her and let even more of her kind spirit flow into me.
My Mum’s sister Pat, (Aunty Pat) has also been one of my biggest influencers and since my Mum passed has been my pseudo Mum and one of my biggest supporters. Pat has had a very interesting life. In her earlier life she played a lead role in a television series called Division 4 – a role she obtained a Silver Logie for. Despite all the sexist attitudes by men at the time – she achieved this accolade. And she didn’t stop there. Later in life, she studied and gained qualifications as a financial adviser and became the first female member of the Stock Exchange. If there was ever a role model to demonstrate “you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it” – she gave me that.
So, here’s to the woman in my life. I am sure that you have some equally wonderful women in your life that you celebrate not just on International Women’s Day – but every single day. I know I do.
Michelle Bakjac is an experienced Psychologist, Organisational Consultant, Coach, Speaker and Facilitator. As Director of Bakjac Consulting, she is a credentialed Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a member of Mental Toughness Partners and an MTQ48 accredited Mental Toughness practitioner. Michelle assists individuals and organisations to develop their Mental Toughness to improve performance, leadership, behaviour and wellbeing.
