Women Inspiring Women - Smash Your Ceiling
"Mindset will take you all the way", says
Yasmin Vorajee, the creator of
Tiny Time Big Results continuing,
#TheWomanAlchemist #SmashThatCeiling #womeninspiringwomen interview series giving an insight into successful female leaders/role model and their mindset.
YASMIN VORAJEE
Yasmin Vorajee is a Coach/Trainer for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs, helping them turn their skills and expertise into a profitable business in 20 hours a week; a British born Indian-Muslim woman, living in Ireland and married to an Irish farmer, Yasmin is feisty about the things she cares about and loves nothing more than seeing people create a life they love, with the money to enjoy it.
This interview is an extract from the book "STOP IT! It is all in your head" available now.
INTERVIEW WITH YASMIN VORJAEE
1. When you were a child, what was your dream job and why?
When I was a child, I had many ideas about what I wanted to do. But, I was never fixed on doing one thing!
One thing I vividly recall is my desire to teach. I spent many hours teaching my 'invisible' class in my bedroom, using the back of my bedroom door as a blackboard.
This is ironic because now I spend my working hours sitting in the 3rd bedroom in our home, still teaching but now to an audience across the globe, from Hawaii to South Africa to Australia – all from the comfort of my own home in rural Ireland.
SUCCESS IS PERCEPTUAL
2. Can you tell me when you started to consider yourself successful?
For a long time, I considered a success to be measured according to the number of qualifications I had gained, the amount of money I was making or the number of people in my database, and as time has gone by, I have realised that none of these things matters in the grand scheme of things.
I have three healthy, happy and beautiful children. I have a husband whom I adore. My family is loving and supportive. I have amazing friends, and I get to do what I love every day. That, for me, is a life well-lived.
FACING ADVERSITY
3. I'm sure you have faced adversity like every business/business person: how do you motivate yourself and force yourself through the worst times?
Focusing on
why I do what I do is my go-to strategy. Being there for my family is top of the list for me. Using my talents and skills, putting them to use, and
being helpful is important.
Knowing I can combine the two and make a life, not just a living, keeps me going.
And there have been many ups and downs! When I am tired and wonder why I'm doing what I'm doing and 'wouldn't
it be easier just to get a job?', I know that's not an option for me. I am open to all sorts of ways of bringing money into the home and feeding our children. But for me, it goes beyond that. It's about doing something with your heart and soul.
Making a difference. And that keeps me going.
4. What are the best things about your job?
Freedom, working with people I love, flexibility & creativity. I never thought I was a creative person until I realised creativity exists in all of us – it's birthed in each of us in very different ways. I am creative when it comes to how I share my message, how I brand my work and the work I do with my clients.
SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES
5. As Tony Robbins says, "Success leaves clues": what are your daily/weekly habits?
Planning my time, spending at least 5 minutes each day in silence (can be hard to do with three young children!), preparing our meals for the week ahead, and going for a walk at least once a day.
6. What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
Our belief in our ability and worth. I have invested a lot of money and time to learn how to be self-employed and grow a business around my skills and talents. But my biggest block has been my lack of self-belief.
Even though I was a former Vice President of Leadership Development and a Chartered Member of the CIPD, I was still crippled with a lack of belief in my abilities and the value I bring to the table. And I see this all the time with my clients. Terrific, brilliant women, yet they still question themselves, 'who am I to do this?'
And the question has to be 'who am I not to do this?!'
The strategy will only take you so far. Mindset will take you all the way.
WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN
7. What women inspire you and why?
Women who follow their hearts and inspire others. Not kick the ladder away once they have climbed it. We are all in this together, and your success does not take away from my success.
I am inspired by women who seek to collaborate, not compete. And this isn't 'new age' nonsense. This is about believing in an abundant universe, knowing there is enough for everyone, and holding a firm belief that a rising ride lifts all boats.
8. What advice would you give to your 16year old self?
Stop worrying so much about how it will pan out! It doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do with your life. Instead, focus on what you want to do next.
9. Your instant mindfulness fix…
Close your eyes and take a deep breath! Works a treat every time!
10. And finally, something frivolous: the best thing about being a woman…
For me, it has to be growing my babies. I loved being pregnant and seeing my three children now. I'm amazed at the miracle my body is and the three miracles it has created!
Top Takeaways from Yasmin Vorajee
- Find your definition of success.
- Focus on why you do what you do.
- Believe in your ability and worth.
- Mindset will take you all the way.
- Don't kick the ladder away once you climbed it - your success does not take away from others - A rising ride lifts all boats.