Second Step: Eliminate Negative Attitudes

Ladies, I was my own worst enemy. 



Demetrice and Jeannette Strickland in Cozumel, Mexico.



Even though I dreamed of being a successful business woman as a teenager, somewhere along the way I convinced myself that I was not business-minded.  I foolishly adopted this negative attitude without first venturing out to either fail or succeed. 

I allowed myself to be sucker punched by the historical tales of highly successful businessmen who scored big as robber barons and ruthless, unscrupulous salesmen.  I cowered down to the negativity by devaluing my integrity and earthy womanness.

In 2009, I deprogrammed those negative thoughts and awakened my unique, entrepreneurial spirit.  In January 2011, I established DEMETRICE, LLC.

Too often, women underestimate their personal and professional potential, intelligence, strength and earthy womanness.  It's time to eliminate negative attitudes that falsely interiorize themselves as characteristics of your true self.  Visit new and  interesting places in every corner of your being and stay a while.  Admire the scenery - your inner and outer beauty... your intelligence ... your strength... your resilience... your resourcefulness... your sassy swagger.

Re-visit that corner of your world where you heard quiet whispers singing your praises and listen more intently this time.  Engage in an honest discussion with yourself.   Learn some new and profound truths about your high-spirited womanness.  Smile what makes you happy.  Laugh what makes you jazzy.

How truly wonderful the splendor of passion feels.  So, immerse yourself fathoms deep into your resplendent passion. Discover or re-discover the real you. 

There may be nothing more treacherous than

false knowledge. 







21st CENTURY WOMAN SPOTLIGHT

Teresa Arthur and her children, Xavier and Xaria,
 spending President's Day together at the library in Orlando.


"Do your job the best that you can, and don't look at yourself as a woman if it hinders you."
                                                     -Teresa Arthur



Teresa Arthur knows a thing or two about eliminating negative attitudes that resist personal and professional growth.  “It’s each individual’s responsibility to know that their development is in their hand.  Whatever you want to do, it’s up to you to do it.  Yes, you’re helping the company, but you’re helping yourself, too,” says the product testing manager at Tupperware Brands Corporation in Kissimmee, Florida. 

Teresa has been in management for seven of her fourteen years at Tupperware and strives to exemplify what it takes to succeed in the workplace by projecting a professional image and practicing strong work ethics, accountability and responsibility.  She reminds women under her leadership to take charge of their professional image because "everything they do, from the way they walk to the way they talk, plays into someone’s evaluation of them.” 

The 38-year-old Orlando resident understands better than anyone the challenges career women face in the workplace.  One of the challenges Teresa faces is self-imposed restrictions.  As a woman working in engineering, a male-dominated field, she readily admits, “Sometimes I put myself in a box even though I believe I’m just as smart.  People don’t care if you are a woman or man, they just want the work done.  They want you to show accountability and responsibility.”

Another workplace challenge is dealing with difficult employees.  She believes that leadership training courses the company offers will help her develop the skills needed to approach this issue with greater ease, diplomacy and professionalism.  

Then there are the challenges of being a working mom who also serves the community.  After an eight-hour work schedule, the wife, mother and Girl Scouts of Citrus Council troop leader takes care of home – cooking meals, cleaning house and checking homework.  Fortunately, Teresa’s husband, who primarily prepares the family meals, family, church and the community step in when work requires her to travel overnight.

Sound wisdom and inspiration travel from one generation to another during this strong-willed and determined woman’s lifetime.  Her grandmother, the source of great admiration and inspiration, instilled within her young mind the importance of strong work ethics and independence.  Etched in Teresa's mind are her grandmother's words of wisdom to her five daughters and granddaughters, “Don’t wait for a man to take care of you - take care of yourself.”

Teresa has instilled into Xaria's seven-year-old mind that she can chart her own course in life and doesn't need anyone telling her what it is.  “I will encourage her to use her God-given talents and gifts, have self-respect and don’t let anyone disrespect her,” says this proud mom who knows the value of instilling self-confidence and self-esteem into her daughter's mind during her formative years.    

People become what they expect themselves to become.

 - Mahatma Gandhi                        

What A Day!!

Inside the Law Offices of Natasha P. Johnson, P.A., and Timothy L. Finkenbinder, P.A., located in the Waterfront Square business development in downtown Kissimmee, Florida, is a paralegal specialist/secretary who has been working non-stop since she arrived to work at 8:30 a.m. on this beautiful, warm and sunny February day.

Andrea Perez is a single, working mother of four, who assists two attorneys who specialize in different fields.  Attorney Johnson practices family and criminal law, and Attorney Finkenbinder practices immigration law.  So what has this busy Poinciana resident's work day been like so far? 






"I've been busy from the moment I walked into the office.  I have been checking files for Natasha, answering the phone and finishing preparing a new case file for Tim," says the mother of Julian, 15, Mya, 12, Jeremiah, 10 and Jayla, 2.  

Do more than expected.