How to Be a Successful Woman

I was going through my old files and profile articles that I've written/published in magazines over the past couple of years and it struck me that I could collate some of the gems of insight they shared in an article.

Many of the people have moved on to even greater success, but their words of wisdom remain relevant years afterwards. Here are some of success tips:

I was going through my old files and profile articles that I've written/published in magazines over the past couple of years and it struck me that I could collate some of the gems of insight they shared in an article.

Many of the people have moved on to even greater success, but their words of wisdom remain relevant years afterwards. Here are some of success tips:

It's okay to dream

"It's okay to dream big," says Stephany Ogbonmwan, a regional (sub-Saharan) sales manager for Motorola. Nigerian-born Ogbonmwan says one should hold on to a dream and fight for it against all odds.

Invest in yourself

Invest in yourself, says Maria Ramos, CEO of Transnet, a multi-billion rand transport institution owned by the South African government. Ramos said:

Make sure you get a good education regardless of your initial circumstances.

Work, get scholarships, get loans or whatever it takes to get that education.
Ramos, who was from working class family took her own advice, and at the time of the interview, she was the director general within the Department of Finance.
She is now CEO of Transnet, a multi-billion rand transport company owned by the SA government.

Adapt and grow

Look for opportunities to grow, says Zandile Nzalo, award-winning business women and founder of Zanenza Communications, multi-million rand South African Communications Company.

At the time of the interview, Nzalo was a very popular radio and TV presenter, on the verge national fame. "I don't want to wake up one day and find out that the audiences have stopped listening, that's I've become dry and boring," she said.

Determined went on personal development programmes which included gaining communications degree and work experience away from the mike and cameras.

Nzalo said:

Keep up with new developments in your industry.

Learn to absorb a lot of information in a short space of time and retain it.

Constantly look for ways new information can benefit and your business.

Don't be intimidated by challenges
Ramos also recommended we not let ourselves be intimidated by challenges. She said:

Choose your battles - don't waste your time fighting battles that you cannot win. Once you know what you need to do to win the war, ignore the peripherals and just do it.

Be calm when there is a crisis. Don't panic when there is a problem. Take a step back and ask yourself what you need to do to take care of it. Then do it.

Don't give up - if you fail, try again until you get the results you're looking for.

Never give up
My favorite piece of advice comes from a letter to the editor of "Move" a South African women's magazine.

A reader says: "A cheetah misses its prey nine out of ten times, but the thought of becoming a vegetarian never crosses its mind. Be like a cheetah - don't give up."

I don't know if it's true that a cheetah has to be that persistent to find its meal, but I like the analogy very much.

Whatever your dreams are, fight for them against all odds. Don't ever give up.

Biography

Damaria Senne is a journalist and author based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She regularly interviews executives of multinational companies, government officials and regulators in the African communications market and foresees huge opportunities for content development in Africa in the next couple of years.