Women are breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and making a difference in every industry under the sun. Still, navigating the professional world can be challenging and exhausting. When you feel like you’re about to throw in the towel, tapping into your badass female energy–your chingona energy–can help you keep going and take your career to new heights. Here are 10 ways to use your chingona energy:
Embrace the things that make you YOU
Your uniqueness is your superpower, especially as a Latina. Embrace your true self and your culture, quirks and all. Authenticity breeds confidence and sets you apart from the crowd. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine in the workplace and stay true to your values at every turn.
Own your achievements - you earned them!
Photo by Clay Banks on UnsplashWomen have been conditioned to downplay their professional accomplishments, but it's essential to recognize and celebrate your own successes. When men do it, it’s acceptable, but when women do it, it means they’re full of themselves. Well, we encourage you to dismantle that, especially if you’re a Latina, because we’re often told to be quiet. Take pride in your achievements and highlight them, especially when talking about your career progression. Feel good about how far you’ve come!
Create a strong support network for yourself
Photo by Brooke Cagle on UnsplashSurrounding yourself with empowering people who are uplifting and inspiring can make a big difference in your career. The people we surround ourselves with can either hold us back or boost us up, so reach out to peers and mentors who are invested in you as much as you’re invested in them. Having a support system made of like-minded people is a great source of encouragement and invaluable guidance.
Practice your assertiveness every chance you get
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on UnsplashBeing assertive, especially as a woman, is vital for navigating the professional world in any industry. If you don’t speak up for yourself when you need to, share your opinions boldly, and assert boundaries, no one else will do it for you. It’s a big issue for Latinas in particular because you don’t always have someone in your corner. Being your own advocate will give you the best chance at getting what you deserve, whether that’s a raise, promotion, or assignment.
Learn to take calculated risks
Photo by Jason Goodman on UnsplashIt can be difficult to step outside of your comfort zone, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your career. Growth can’t happen if you stay put or never try things that may seem scary. Fear will hold you back if you let it, so don’t. Make a conscious effort to channel your female fire to embrace challenges, put your abilities to the test, and take calculated risks. Even if you do fail or things don’t go exactly as planned, you get something good out of it in the form of lessons learned.
Prioritize Self-Care
Photo by madison lavern on UnsplashIt's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of career advancement, but prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining your well-being. Hustle and productivity culture can be the end of you, so don’t forget to set boundaries to prevent burnout, rest well, and treat yourself with activities that bring you joy and have nothing to do with work.
Advocate for Equality
Photo by Matteo Paganelli on UnsplashThere’s no better sign of badass female energy, chingona energy, than using your voice to boost everyone up. Challenging biases in the workplace and supporting initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion is a great way to help transform the organization you’re a part of. Moreover, don’t be afraid to suggest initiatives that you think are lacking based on your own experience as a Latina woman.
Continuously Learn and Grow
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on UnsplashThe day you stop learning new things or seeking opportunities for growth is the day you will become stagnant. Channel your female energy into expanding your knowledge in any way that you can. If you don’t invest in yourself and your own development, no one else will want to. So, stay curious and always be on the lookout for workshops, courses, and events that will help you grow in your field.
Foster Collaboration
Photo by Desola Lanre-Ologun on UnsplashCollaboration fosters innovation and collective success, so channeling your chingona energy into working with others more effectively will help you get further than before. Build strong relationships with your colleagues, collaborate across teams, and learn to leverage the perspective of everyone around you by listening when others tend to dismiss.
Lead with Compassion
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on UnsplashThis is particularly important if you’re in any kind of leadership role. Many women feel like they have to adopt the often toxic traits of male leaders to be taken seriously or succeed. Let this be a reminder denying compassion and empathy, which are such huge parts of the female energy, won’t help you create a workplace culture that can thrive. Lift others up, lead by example, and make sure you’re a beacon of support; you’ll see it will open many doors for you.
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