Sometimes in life you just want to feel like you’re the shit.
You know the feeling. Like when you get someone a really thoughtful gift and their face changes into that “oh my god how did you know” look. On the outside you’re like “whatevs”, but on the inside you’re like ‘F**K YES I NAILED THAT.’
Or when you run into your ex and his new girlfriend, straight after you’ve had a blowdry and she’s probably a 5/10 and you’re a solid 7/10 but with Kate Middleton hair you’re an 8/10 or maybe nine.
Or when you bake a chocolate cake and it turns out awesome and everyone is like “You are the the tits. The actual tits.”
Impressing people is fun.
But how do you do it in the workplace?
Given that we’re all about to spend the next 40 years of our life working at least eight hours a day, that’s a LOT of time to spend at work. And there are two ways you can spend that time. You can slip into a funky slump, and just watch the clock for the next 40 years, or you can slay it.
I don’t want to tell you what to do with your life, but I reckon you should slay it.
Here’s a guide to what impresses powerful women, and other advice from women who kick arse on what impresses them.
1. Wake Up Early
Gail Kelly, the former Westpac CEO, only slept 4 hours a night. Longtime Vogue editor Anna Wintour is on the tennis court by 6am every morning to smash some balls before she even steps into the boardroom.
Starbucks’ President Michelle Gass wakes up at 4:30 every morning to go running. These women get a jump on the day. And now, you’re one of them too. And if you’re not, just lie about it. Schedule some tweets to go at 5:30am that say “Morning world! Just popping out for a quick 8k!”. Easy.
2. Be The Strong, Silent Type
Hillary Clinton said once in an interview that when you first start out in a job, to listen more than you talk. Then when you say something, people will really pay attention.
Top Comments
Funny intro, but spewing. If I'd known that I could coin 'You are the tits' on this site or in front of women in general, I'd have done so long ago. Never too late, though - just off to tell Mum that she's the tits.
I cannot comment on whether all the rest of the tips are good, but advising people the one of the keys to success is sleeping only four hours a night is irresponsible. Researchers have found that lack of sleep is the equivalent to being drunk in terms of the effect it has on cognitive functioning and physical reflexes. It also reduces your life expectancy. I understand that Americans idolise people who work long hours. To me they look like people who don't know how to delegate and prioritise.
But then I'm not a successful person and I start hallucinating after a few nights with only 4 hours sleep (to not mention the headaches, cognitive slow down and increased suicidal thoughts). I'm probably just jealous that I can never be one of those successful women.
They said "get up early" NOT ""sleep four hours". One is good advice. One is not.
They mentioned that ONE of the successful women mentioned in the whole article slept only four hours - very different from saying "doctors and managers recommend you only sleep 4 hours, so do that from now on".