Today’s Monday Inspiration is for women. Learn to speak your mind and build your self-confidence. In the July 2012 issue, Real Simple magazine asked a few distinguished and outspoken experts for their best tips on how to gracefully make your opinions known. Former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright had this to say. “Early in my career, I went to numerous meetings where I was the only woman present. I would want to contribute to the conversation but would think, If I say that, everyone will think it’s really stupid. And then a man would say exactly what I had in mind and the other participants would find it brilliant. I learned that you shouldn’t wait to speak.”

ways to speak your mind

Kimberly Davis is the president of the New York City based JPMorgan Chase Foundation. Her advice: “My grandmother used to tell me that it’s not what you say but how you say it. There’s truth to that statement. Take a deep breath and walk into the room with confidence, knowing that you’ve earned the right to be there. Speak with great intention even though you know that not everybody is going to like what you say. And that’s OK… Instead of getting defensive when someone yells at me, I let her present her side of the situation. There’s a real power in being the calmest voice.”

monday inspiration

Katie Couric, a correspondent for ABC news, and will launch the daytime talk show Katie in September, had this to say. ” ‘Be Concise.’ Women tend to be apologetic or to preface things with ‘I’m really sorry, but…’ There’s no reason for that.”

All powerful words from powerful women. We can all learn from them. Okay, are you ready for the week to start now? What goals and plans to you have for the week?

Monday Inspiration for Women related:

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scanned images via Real Simple Magazine by Laura Trevey