Welcome to a New Year!
Hard to believe, but this month marks the 12th anniversary of this website! And while every new year has its challenges and opportunities, I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope 2021 proves a much better year than the one we just left in our rear view mirrors. The new year will undoubtedly still test all of us and our ability to manage fear, endure uncertainty, and focus on what small actions we can take to survive and move forward with our families and sanity intact. But there is at least a hint of light on the horizon. And even if it’s coldest before the dawn, the hope of dawn breaking soon can do a lot to warm the heart.
This month also marks the beginning of a new venture for me, in addition to my existing work. Starting this month, I will be writing a regular personal career development column for Aviation for Women—the official magazine of Women in Aviation, International (WAI). WAI is the professional organization for women pursuing careers in aviation, with over 14,000 members worldwide. The column is titled “Core Strength,” and it builds on the research, writing, and career development coaching I’ve focused on since 2015.
The mission of this website has always been to provide support for people who want to pursue life paths governed not by external pressure, rewards, or expectations, but by what allows them to bring their true selves into the world in a way that is fulfilling and has meaningful impact. Which sounds lovely. No Map. No Guide. No Limits, and all that. But the truth is, being a mature, grounded and authentic person in the world is hard. It’s why the tag line of this site is “The Adventure of Being Yourself.” Because coming to terms with who we are, what matters most to us, and then using that knowledge to create a meaningful, compassionate, and happy life is one of the most challenging adventures any of us can undertake in life.
It’s also one of the most powerful and rewarding challenges we can undertake. My work since 2015 has evolved from realizing not just how important, but how powerful, a strong sense of authentic self can be—especially for women making their way in a world that’s still dominated by norms and rules set by men. If I was able to be highly successful as the first woman columnist in Flying magazine’s long and storied history, it was because I’d spent a lot of time developing that strong sense of self and voice first. That was the superpower that allowed me to build key bridges, draw necessary boundaries, and make the choices and tradeoffs that allowed me to have such a fabulous and fulfilling career in an industry that was—and still is—94% male.
So when I retired my column after 16 years, I decided to put that hard-won wisdom and experience to good use, helping other women achieve that same kind of meaningful success without all the stumbles and heartache I’d endured in having to figure it all out on my own. In addition to reverse-engineering my own journey, I spent three years researching and interviewing therapists, educators, and professional women around the country to expand my understanding on the subject. In the process, I discovered that what had been essential in my own journey was actually true for most women trying to figure out, and then navigate, a meaningful and authentic career path. Especially if the vision and passion that inspired them happened to involve work in a male-dominated field like technology, aerospace, or aviation.
Since then, my work has focused on sharing the insights of that work––both through my writing, and through individual career development coaching. I’m writing a book on the subject (Surviving in a Man’s World: The Power of a Woman’s Authentic Voice), and I’ve been working with individual women to help them strengthen their self-knowledge, develop meaningful career visions, and navigate productively toward those goals with their sanity and happiness intact.
My new “Core Strength” column will give me another way to connect with dynamic women who are determined to follow their passion into the diverse professional world of aviation, with all the exciting rewards—and cross-cultural challenges—that entails. And I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity! You can find more information and access my columns through the Women in Aviation, International website. But also expect to see more posts here with related content.
It will be an adventure, to be sure!
