Use Your Creativity to Break Through the “Glass Ceiling”

By Patricia Womack Elston

Here we are in 2021 and we are still using our creativity to break the glass ceiling. If you are wondering how you can use your creative energy to break through the glass ceiling here are a few strategic tips that will assist you in this process. First think back to when you were younger. Do you remember all the aspirations you had? Let’s start with the ABCs of glass ceiling breakage and elimination.

A: Application. Apply yourself. Where is your vision board? What do you have in your mindset? What is posted up so that you can be consistently reminded of your steps for success? Do you have a roadmap to what it is you want to do? Are you waiting for opportunities to come to you or are you proactively seeking volunteer and/or internship opportunities?

B: Build. What am I building? You need to build your list of people. What do you mean build a list of people? Who do you know that can help you in the areas/opportunities that you are interested in? Maybe the people are not in the field, however, they may know people in that field that they can introduce you to! Now you are building. Remember to get business cards and write down where you met the people so when you reach out, you will have a memory to share with them for recollection. This will show the individual that they made an impact.

C: Care. What do you care about? Oftentimes we hear individuals say “My career comes first.” They get so wrapped up in making it to the top that they neglect the opportunity to focus on other things. Once they get to where they were striving for, now they are looking to start a family. As females it seems as though society has a choose career over family option that we are expected to follow. Males have both because more often than not it’s the female who is making sure everything goes according to plans with the children and the household. Just remember you can have children and a career. Be resoundingly confident in your choice.

D: Determination. You have to be determined and have a made-up mind. Don’t let anyone sway you from what it is you want to do. If you have your heart and mind aligned don’t listen to the naysayers and dream busters. There will be people who won’t cheer for you because secretly they want you to fail. So, if you know you have to challenge and push yourself to fight for that position that requires you dig deep into parts of yourself… you didn’t know existed and go for it. I have never seen a determined person not get what they were destined for.

E: Equipped. Yes, you are equipped. You were born with everything you need to break the glass ceiling and fulfill both your dreams and purpose. Along the way you will obtain knowledge, you will acquire skills and you will have abilities that will not just enable you to break the glass ceiling, but totally shatter it. Remember the glass ceiling is different for each individual. We create the glass ceiling in our own mindset. How? By saying I can’t do that. Remember “can’t” is a four-letter word that was created to hold you back. Today remove that word from your mouth and mind. You are only allowed to use that word if you make it positive, e.g. “I can’t afford to fail.” Failure is not an option it is a limitation. Many use that word so much they don’t understand the curse they bring upon themselves… thus, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. There is power in the tongue. Never forget that words take on a life of their own. I AM RADIANT.