Page 67 - Free Yourself From

50 It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor

Sandy observes, “We are all running so fast, doing so much, and
trying to be so many things to so many people. Some women wake up
one day feeling frustrated and they don’t really know what they want
anymore.” They say that in some ways it is the superwoman image
that got us where we are, trying to do everything on our own and to
be the very best in our abilities all the time that causes this dilemma.
The traditional corporate formula for success has been based on
the assumptions of what the company wants. To some extent, that
approach has been wired in our heads. We believe that this is how
things work and that it constitutes the formula for success. But,
Sandy advises that it doesn’t have to be that way; today the workplace
is a two-way street where the employee is equally responsible for
thinking about and suggesting different career paths. “Don’t wait for
the company to come to you and provide what they may not know
you want. They are supporting your growth and opportunities, but
they can’t read your mind.”
Sandy and Nancy say that women who are successful in manag-
ing both their personal and professional lives possess the following:

1. Self-awareness: They’ve come to the realization that at some
point they were totally overwhelmed. Once you can say
that, hear it, and own it, then the time is right to make a
change and do something about it.

2. Humility: These women know they don’t have all the
answers. They’re willing to reach out to a coach or mentor.
They are not afraid to talk about their situation or concerns
—they realize that it does not make you seem incompetent or
imply that you are not a team player, or suggest that you
should be passed over for the next promotion.

3. Realistic expectations: They realize that women who stay on
the fast track will probably get more stock options and