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Your dream, your business, your ambition starts with you

February 19, 2018 Melanie Hawken
the-superhero-in-every-woman.jpg

by Jenny Du Preez, the exclusive coach for Picketfence.life 

As a woman I know what it is like to put the needs of others ahead of my own, to constantly juggle various balls. Never dropping any of them, that would never be an option! At the very heart of this is You, a Super Hero, the one who others depend on. We inspire, protect, love and fight for others.

 

So, we begin with you. Your dream, your business, your ambition starts with “You”. I would like to challenge you to see “You” as a well of water. This well may be full and deep and from this well you quench your thirst, you energize your soul and mobilize your dreams. So how do we keep our well full and deep? How do we keep it from drying up, from becoming a ghostly place of death no one wants to go near?

Like every Super Hero we come into this world with gifts, when we are little our gifts are like the air we breathe, constantly with us, never are they questioned, we play with them, we enjoy them, and we are them.  For many of us, as we grow older they become buried, so deep they become dormant and we begin to fade, little by little. 

Successful dreams and businesses have one thing in common - a “realness” about them.  A place that people can come to quench their thirst; a place that reminds them about who they really are and how they can express that. 

Take a trip back to You - Naked, Unpolished, Raw. Gently peel back the layers of protection, the layers of advice, the layers of fear. 

Incredible drive and energy is required to keep your dream alive, and many of us will be tempted to follow the masses to try and copy “successful” models. You do have all the answers you need. 

Super Heroes have the following in common:

  • a story
  • an alter ego
  • gifts
  • weaknesses
  • a costume

All Super Heroes have a story, but they don’t live in the past. They are fully present in the moment. Super Heroes have an alter ego that allows them to enter spaces that their super hero cannot, only to allow the super hero entrance.  Who do you show the world. Super Heroes have gifts, they are unique. They come from their story, once realized they strengthen them. They can be nothing else but these gifts. These gifts are clues to who they are. 

Screen Shot 2018-02-19 at 3.17.03 PM.jpg

Weaknesses arise when Super Heroes go against their natural make-up and try to be someone else. This is an opportunity for the villain, the opposition to grow stronger. Super Heroes show clear identity in their costumes and in their work - you cannot confuse one Hero with another. 

Pay attention the next time you feel any of these: a feeling of discomfort inside, feeling bound by time, constantly having to bring your attention back to the matter at hand.  Ask yourself: am I being true to myself?

Becoming self-aware takes time, patience, self-love is the first step in the right direction - the direction to You. From this place of You, the answers are at first a whisper and then a little louder. Listen.From this place, our wells can replenish themselves to offer an Oasis, for inspiration to drive us and our business forward, 

Some food for thought.

Who would you be if you were free?

What do you want people to leave with after they have been with you?


Jenny photie2.jpg
Jenny Du Preez has more than 15 years experience in dynamic business environments managing executives working in high deliverable positions. She holds a Bcom degree from Unisa majoring in Industrial Psychology and Business Economics. Jenny completed her ILS life coaching international certification in 2016 and is in the process of completing her master’s qualification. She is passionate about Super Hero and Wellness coaching and inspires, explores, gives voice and empowers others. Find out more www.instagram.com/jen_du_preez/ or email info@picketfence.life or use #Jenny in mail.
In Guest Blog Tags Jenny Du Preez
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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Retang Phaahla, a pioneer for South Africa’s indigenous teas
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Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

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Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka
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Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
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Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind
Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho
Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka
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African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.
Image of the Day / Khokho Collection

Summer Tote Bag…We love this super stylish woven summer tote bag, perfect for the weekend from Khokho Collection, founded by social entrepreneurs Philippa Thorne, Sapna Shah and master weaver Zinhle Vilaka Image of the Day / The House of Agness

An elegant floral gifting idea… Mariana Agness Francisco Eria is a creative force in contemporary floral design. Her business, The House of Agness, is a luxury florist and gifting boutique nestled in Map Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Afrobotanics

Nature inspired haircare… Banish dry hair with the Afrobotanics Hemp Seed Oil moisturising conditioner created by Ntombenhle Khathwane, a South African entrepreneur and advocate for natural hair and body produc Image of the Day / Happy Coffee

Happy Coffee Experiences…If you are a fan of great coffee you will love Happy Coffee, founded by Princess Adeyinka Tekenah in Nigeria. She is a Coffee Entrepreneur and a Mom, and the founder of this growing ind Image of the Day / Mon Choco

Chocolate gifting goodies…Who doesn’t love a chocolate gift at this time of the year? So where better to sample some of the finest chocolate on the African continent than in Cote d’Ivoire, from Mon Cho Image of the Day / Spez Catering

Celebratory cake…If you are anything like the sweet treat-loving team at Lionesses of Africa, you will love a slice of the great cakes on offer from Spez Catering in Kenya, founded by Esmeralda De Souza-Obwaka Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need.

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

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Gillian Holl, a South African architectural entrepreneur building a sustainability-focused business that responds to the needs of both clients and the environment
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Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
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Yanara Tavares Viana, a Mozambican entrepreneur developing a smart urban housing solution in the country

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LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

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Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
Built on Purpose: Discover Your Deep Inner Why and Manifest the Business of Your Dreams by Betsy Fore
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The Magnetic Female Entrepreneur: The Art of Empowered Presence, Rising to New Levels of Impact and Influence, and Financial Success on Your Own Terms by Mary Grant
Women Entrepreneurs Rewired To Rise: Powerful Habits that Break Through Burnout, Silence Your Inner Critic, and Build a Thriving Business from the Inside Out  by Fiona Soutter
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Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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