I realized that his interpretation of an individual exuding confidence was that of being masculine and/or manly. And I realized I was looking down a never-ending rabbit hole of precognitive stereotypes, subconscious programming and centuries of oppression and suppression.
Then it hit me: my exact thinking pattern, and all the hangups I had in regards to being a woman and a feminine businessperson, were the exact sort of negative thinking patterns that aided the oppression of women, as opposed to liberating us. My mode of thinking was destructive to myself, and to the female gender as a whole. I had become my own worst enemy.
それでこう思った。まさに私の考え方、そして女性であることや女性ビジネスマンであることについてのコンプレックスは、それこそ女性に対する抑圧を強める方向で働くネガティブな考え方で、女性を開放するのとはまったく逆の働きをするものだった。私の考え方は自分自身にとって破滅的で、女性全体に対してもそうだった。自分が自分自身にとって最悪の敵になってしまっていた。
その時分かったのです：私のこの思考パターンと、女性である事と女性経営者である事に関して私が抱いていた全ての悩みが、私たち女性の解放とは反対に女性の抑圧を助けていた類のマイナス思考パターンでした。私の考え方が、私自身と女性全体に有害なものでした。自分自身が自分の最大の敵になっていたのです。
I understand there is no quick-fix answer that can wipe away thousands of years of cultural beliefs. However, what I do know is that we can either be a part of the problem — or a part of the solution. As Madame Marie du Deffand best said, “Women are never stronger than when they arm themselves with their weaknesses.”
Today, I embrace my inner femininity in all aspects of my business. I no longer view characteristics of being sweet, caring and empathetic as weaknesses, but instead as powerful strengths that show integrity and honesty. I am able listen to my heart and my inner desires, which lets me be true and authentic when making crucial decisions. I let myself be vulnerable to others by expressing my creative self, and putting it out into the world for others to see. I also see my female intuition as one of my most valuable tools for guidance and trust.
I could not be more proud to be a woman in business, and every time I push myself through a situation that makes me uncomfortable or nervous, I feel stronger, brighter and more powerful than ever. Happiness truly never comes from what you don’t have, but instead from what you do. Embrace the positive and the negative, the masculine and the feminine, the good and the bad. You can become quite the force to be reckoned with.
This post was originally published on YEC.
About Rebecca Zorowitz
Rebecca Zorowitz is a multi-talented entrepreneur who found a way to turn her passions into a successful business. As the co-founder of Ooh La La Candy, Rebecca has turned a startup business into a multi-national player in the field of gourmet (or couture) candy.
The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) is an invite-only nonprofit organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. The YEC recently published #FixYoungAmerica: How to Rebuild Our Economy and Put Young Americans Back to Work (for Good), a book of 30+ proven solutions to help end youth unemployment.
Rebecca Zorowitz は多才な実業家で自分の情熱を巧くビジネスへと変換していく方法を知っている。Ooh La La Candyの共同創業者として、Rebeccaはベンチャー企業をグルメキャンディー分野で世界を股にかける大企業へと発展させた。
The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC)は、世界中の成功を約束された青年実業家たちで構成された、招待制のNPOだ。このYECが最近、#FixYoungAmerica: How to Rebuild Our Economy and Put Young Americans Back to Work (for Good)という本を出版した。この本には若年層の失業をなくすための解決策が30以上も掲載されている。
レベッカ・ゾロウィッツは、自分の情熱をビジネスの成功に変える方法を見出した多才な起業家です。レベッカは Ooh La La Candy の共同設立者として新規事業をグルメ（または高級）キャンディー業界における多国籍プレーヤーに発展させました。
青年起業家連盟（The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC)）は紹介制のNPO団体で、世界中の最も前途有望な若い起業家から構成されています。YEC は最近、若年層の失業問題に対する３０以上の解決策をまとめた「#FixYoungAmerica: How to Rebuild Our Economy and Put Young Americans Back to Work (for Good)」、という本を出版しました。
