‘Pitfalls’, ‘falling of a stage’ and ‘quitting when you reached the top’; these are just a few of the remarks I was confronted with during the past 2 weeks. I am standing on a stage and I may call myself a ‘role model’ for all the women and girls out there that want to achieve something in their life. At least, it is my aspiration to stimulate all the ‘killer ladies to be’ in this matter. Moreover, on my way to this wonderful stage I did not encounter any pitfalls. Am I too naïve? No, I am confident that a winning mentality as well as having a ‘focus’ in doing business have brought me to where I am today. It is all about making choices and not letting the angry outside world drive you crazy. For example, I personally never participated in the ‘treat competition’ to be told that I am a good mother, despite the fact that I work more than fulltime (Parool, PS, 1st of April 2017). I simply choose for comfort and let a baker prepare the treats, which enables me to focus on doing business while giving genuine attention to my kids as well. Remarkably enough, my children are suddenly being asked if ‘they can still see me around the house’, because I became the ‘Business woman of the Year’. In my opinion, this remark depicts another unjustified question of guilt; ‘the kids already suffer a lot by having such a hardworking mother’. However, also in this situation I confront those potential feelings of guilt with a big smile; this pitfall will not bring me down. Life is all about making choices. Beforehand, you will never know what the outcome of your actions will be and everyone is making the necessary considerations in his or her own way. I am making choices in a way that feels good to me, and so far my ‘female intuition’ has brought me a lot. Being ‘Business woman of the Year’, I am obliged to make choices and I simply cannot satisfy everybody’s needs.
There will be more soon in regard to my big adventure of this year: having an additional job as ‘Business woman of the Year’.
Elske Doets
a.k.a. Spirit Bear
Owner and President of Jan Doets America Tours
www.elskedoets.nl Twitter: @DoetsElske Instagram: elskedoets or www.jandoets.nl/Elske