Photo Love {Inspiration}: Women and Power via Vanity Fair May 2012

August 27, 2012
I do not wish them to have power over men, but power over themselves.
Mary Wollstonecraft
How important it is for you to rise within your social circle or profession?  Do you strive to be the absolute best at whatever you do?  I saw these pictures of a potential female president and was reminded of a powerful woman I had met recently.  She is a global head of a group and is still in her 30s.  I was fascinated when I met her and thought “How did she get to where she is so quickly?”  She had a large team throughout the world and was an inspiration for both men and women.
I also started to wonder about my own path up the career ladder.  I was until now on a journey for a career I had been in for quite a few years.  I didn’t love it, but I knew it and could certainly do it.  I accepted a high profile job I wasn’t passionate about and ended up confused in a job that had little definition and which had more political wrangling than I was prepared for.  Perhaps the power attracted me to the position.  I had a smart and growing team, but a large amount of stress.  I suffered quite a few bruises from politic and personalities in a short period of time.  I also never quite nailed down what I wanted for myself out of the job.  Was I trying to be like the Global head I had recently met?  Was I doing something I didn’t love just to keep up with my own friends?
Most importantly, I am now ready to finally switch careers.  It is scary and uncertain.  But I am now prepared to look in the mirror and ask myself those hard questions: What will give me passion?  What will give me satisfaction? What are the attributes that give me power over myself?
I’d love to hear from you – what do you consider to be power and how have you achieved/are planning to achieve it?
Have a lovely week!
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  • The Dainty Dolls House August 27, 2012 at 04:59

    I set my own rules with power and achievement. I think sometimes we push too hard to get higher than someone else and we end up forgetting what we were going for. You see that a lot in women, we should be working to get all women to the top. Men try and keep us down so much, it’s them who we need to stand up against. But, as long as I’m doing what I want to do and not what society or anyone else thinks I should be doing, I am just fine with life :))) Happy Monday xx

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living August 27, 2012 at 23:07

      Well said Kizzy – I think we get far away from doing what we want but need to set our own rules for achievement!

  • Coco August 27, 2012 at 08:00

    Hello dear, this is a very complex subject. I admire powerful women, their self-confidence, the brain and character that drove them to the high ranks, and honestly I envy their carisma. At the same time I feel more comfortable in my cozy little world, I’m not sure I would be happy in their position, or I would manage to handle the collateral stress. I wish you the best for your career switch, and as my dad says “the choices you make are always the best for you at the moment you make them. No looking back, no mulling over them, no regrets.” a big hug!!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living August 27, 2012 at 23:11

      Your dad is a wise man! No regrets!

  • Kim August 27, 2012 at 09:52

    I think that with power and leadership, there is always stress. As women, we often are expected to “do it all” – to perform just as well as the men to the point where they “forget” that we are women, and/or succeed in spite of the fact that we are. I think the world has come a long way in terms of opportunities for women, but it is still difficult to define our own success in a male-dominated world. I have had to learn a lot about faking confidence and asserting myself. Most days I am passionate enough about my career, but I often wonder if it’s time for a new job. Beautiful photos and great post!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living August 27, 2012 at 23:10

      It is the eternal women’s dilemma – doing it all is definitely more difficult than it seems!

  • Krysten August 27, 2012 at 12:28

    I think we women can do some AMAZING things. However I also think that sometimes we’re still underestimated. I also think that because of that we sometimes push ourselves too hard.

  • Oh to Be a Muse August 27, 2012 at 13:34

    These photos are pretty cool, and I think you’re desire to switch jobs is even cooler. It’s great to have an important and powerful role, but it’s even better to be passionate about what you do, and to do what you love.

  • Erika ~TiptoeButterfly~ August 27, 2012 at 14:27

    i’m more of a happiness motivated person – i strive to be the happiest person on earth – and to just take life freely – don’t get me wrong, making a really nice paycheck at the end of the week doesn’t hurt – but i also learned when i was ONLY about my paycheck i wasn’t “as” happy – i learned to balance – i’m also never about “one” thing, i like to change my mind A LOT and i take pleasure in that – i like to dabble here and there and be awesome at it – then move on to something new and challenging .. make sense? – i don’t think i’ll be a totally career driven’ person, ever – too much of anything is not good (in my opinion)

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living August 27, 2012 at 23:09

      Erika, this is so true and I am learning to be a happiness motivated person too!

  • ElsaD August 27, 2012 at 15:02

    Darling! Interesting enough I talk a little bit about this on my latest post…i cordially invite u to stop by. Good luck with everything! xoxo

    http://cafesocietyxxi.blogspot.com/

  • Punctuation Mark August 27, 2012 at 15:49

    My career is everything to me especially now at my age {still in my 30s} and the phase of it… I want to rise and be one of the very few women executives in hospitality… Wish me luck! Haha!

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living August 27, 2012 at 23:08

      I have every confidence in you Elie!

  • Dawn {The Alternative Wife} August 27, 2012 at 18:30

    I totally admire powerful women…I don’t consider myself to be one necessarily. I have too much fun at what I do and I usually don’t think the two go hand and hand but maybe that in itself is powerful. It must be so hard to switch careers but hopefully you’ll find your passion and feel the same way xoxo

    • Chic 'n Cheap Living August 27, 2012 at 23:08

      Thanks Dawn – you are an inspiration and I am looking for that passion in work now!

  • bravoerunway August 28, 2012 at 00:13

    I am struggling along with you and know the feeling all to well. I used to think that power was decided based on the title a person had in relation to the size of their company. But I now realize the power is the ability to make decisions whether it is for your own life, your company, your department. Whatever it is, the decision that you make and set forth is power.

  • FASHION TALES August 28, 2012 at 00:35

    Great post! I completely agree, I actually switched careers several years ago, still within fashion, but far different and completely from what I had been doing, which was also a highly stressful environment and power players, amongst other things. Now, I’m happy and have a very flexible job. Yes, it seems I am a bit busier, but at least I love what I do! I love these strong images.

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