Steps to Success: Wise Words from Women Who Know

Getting ahead in business can be tough, whether your dream is to excel in your field, achieve the perfect work/life balance or become your own boss. Of course, there are many women who have already travelled that path and kicked corporate ass in their respective careers so we've put together some of their top advice to help you on your way. _____________________________ Getting the job... “Whatever you do, be different – that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can’t think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you’re different, you will stand out.” - Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop “Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.” –  Sara Blakely, billionaire and founder of Spanx  “I used to walk down the street like I was a super star...I want people to walk around delusional about how great they can be – and then to fight so hard for it every day that the lie becomes the truth.” – Lady Gaga, platinum-selling pop star “What’s the worst that could happen? Everyone turned me down; big deal.” – J. K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter Facing challenges... “I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” - Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo “We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” –Arianna Huffington, AOL/Editor-In-Chief of Huffington Post “I don’t believe in failure. It’s not failure if you enjoyed the process.” – Oprah Winfrey, television presenter and entrepreneur “Until you’re ready to look foolish, you’ll never have the possibility of being great.” - Cher, singer and actress Interacting in the workplace... “If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped.” – Melinda Gates, philanthropist ”Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” - Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics “ We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”- Marianne Williamson, spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance