Written by Lifestyle writer Joniel Gyles
Let’s be real here: a whole lot has changed since we closed out the last millennium but what remains constant is that being competent and effective in the world must form part of the character of any woman. Darwin’s evolutionary theory, “Survival of the Fittest” was no joke which is why we have a list of the top 12 things we think every woman should have to survive:
1) A Road Map – with all that’s going on around us, it’s so easy to lose focus and get lost in the maze of life. Having clearly defined goals helps us in maintaining focus and stay on track with our desired achievements. The
SMART Model is a popular goal-setting tool, it suggests that goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. Using this model is very simple but I would also suggest pairing this with other goal
setting knowledge you may find online. Just keep it simple.
2) An Education– There’s more to education than enrolling in college and getting a degree. By all means get the degree. Also get wisdom and knowledge through life experiences and self-help books by reputable authors and speakers. Having a degree at times does factor in landing a job but it is by no means the only way to get and keep your dream job and be successful in life. What is equally important is what you teach yourself. There are some things we just won’t learn in any educational institution and so it’s our duty to ensure that we get this knowledge, and it all starts with a click on Google, TED Talks, YouTube or a trip to your nearest library, or short course.
3) Self-Love – There is nothing cliché about this principle! It simply cannot be stated enough: Loving yourself is an extremely important asset when navigating life. What makes us comfortable and uncomfortable rests on this defining principle, especially when self-love is healthily applied. Love is a basic part of almost every human relationship and we often give love to those around us according to how we love ourselves. We determine what’s best for us based on how much love and respect we have for ourselves.
4) Confidence– Let’s accept it: we all have our flaws. Got a mirror? Whip it out, look at yourself and say with meaning: “I got my quirks. I got my flaws. It’s ok. Really. It’s ok!” Now smile your most winning smile at your beautiful reflection of beautiful you and accept it. Our flaws should never be given the power to diminish the way we value or feel about ourselves. Own your imperfections; the very things we’re insecure about, quite often are the things that make us stand out from the crowd. Make your own positive affirmations and repeat them as often as you can, morning, noon and night, and remember Rome was not built in a day. You got this!!
5) Good health– It’s always a plus to have a great body, but having a great body and poor health is absolutely nonsensical. Practicing good hygiene and having a balanced diet optimizes bodily and mental functions and makes you less susceptible to getting sick. So keep the fellas interested with that hot bod but remember your health comes first. Be your biggest fan.
Eat right. Exercise. Find and be true to your spiritual centre. You are your biggest fan.
6) Self-Care – It is said that Cleopatra regularly took baths in donkey’s milk, to preserve the vitality and beauty of her skin. Luckily, today we don’t have to raise a herd of 700 donkeys to get enough milk to fill a tub. A trip to the market or supermarket should be enough to get your natural oils, lotions, shampoos, toothpaste, deodorant, combs, nail clips; whatever it is you need to put your best self forward. So, depending on your preferences you may want to explore a little to find products that work for you. For my DIY ladies, investing in small appliances such as a hairdryer, a foot spa, a facial
sauna, saves you that trip to the salon and a few dollars for other treats such as massages.
7) Savings – Being prepared for that unexpected curve ball thrown by life is always a good idea. So even with budgeting for expenses, an amount should always be set aside for savings. Always pay yourself first. Having an easily accessible amount stashed away for rainy days can be the difference between falling off a bicycle and being run over by a truck; a bit
exaggerated but trust me you don’t want to wait to find out for yourself. So save, save, save!!
Fashion Essentials
Ladies! You know what time it is!!!! Summer is just around the corner and you’re probably wrapping up plans for that dream vacation, hitting the gym 24/7 to look drop dead gorgeous while splashing at the beach and outfitting your wardrobe with the latest in summer fashion trends. A few hundred years ago, I’m pretty sure these weren’t on the list of things women had to worry about. Imagine going to the beach and not having to get your bikini line shaved or waxed, because it would have been the norm to have hair growing down there in all its hairy glory.
Mercy!
8) The Right Pair of Jeans – finding the pair of jeans to flatter your figure can be tricky especially if you’re a bit picky..um…a woman of particular tastes…like me, but once you’ve found the right fit styling is a breeze. Pair them with heels for a nice sleek look or with flats for a relaxed, casual look. Jazz up any look with a statement belt or dazzling top. Add confidence and
rock your you!
9) A Pair of Heels – As much as we’d love to buy a pair of heels to match every outfit, unless you’re the queen of England this might prove close to be impossible on a budget. Keep it simple. Try to get a neutral pair of heels. Black, nude, grey, or metallic (gold or silver) also pair well with almost any outfit. Heels come in various styles. Choose one that’s right for you. Get something comfortable that allows walking effortlessly, you don’t want to end up walking around looking like the Grinch, or a unicorn, or worse falling in front of everybody.
10) A black dress – A nice flattering black dress is a staple in any woman’s closet because we all know black takes sexy to another level. Go for something versatile, a dress that can be paired with pumps for a cocktail party but would also pair well with sandals for a casual date. Remember it is all about versatility!
11) The right fragrance – Admit it, nothing beats a “scent from heaven” to lift our moods and to just feel good and enjoy our own allure. I believe that the right fragrance also helps with our confidence level and helps to set the tone of our day and also others that may occupy the same space as us. Choose one that is right for the occasion – light and subtle for a day at
work or sweet and sultry for a night on the town with that special person. Bottom-line when we smell good we feel good.
12) Seamless Undies – Have you ever wanted to wear that form fitting dress, skirt or pants and when you survey your behind in the mirror you can only utter a frustrated “ugh”. You then keep trying various underwear hoping that one will work? Well the solution is to own a few seamless undies to avoid that kind of mishap. Nothing irks me more than to see
panty lines… What say you?
Send us your comments or additions on the above to info@thebeyondwoman.com. We want your input.
Read Our Other Features Here
Read Our Newest Issue here
