Mardi Dean | Self-confidence | Guilt has gone
Staying in a bad relationship can produce a lack of confidence. Find out how Mardi restored her self-confidence and now leads a life free of guilt.
I am a 33 year old Business Development Manager at Crunch Design, a creative communication agency in Sydney, NSW. My role involves creating new business relationships through networking, social media and marketing.
I was born in Sydney and am the middle child of 3 girls. My grandmother on mum's side immigrated to Australia via boat when she was 6 years old. Pop had his own building business and worked on quite a few of the old apartment buildings around Sydney. He was also the first to cycle the Harbour Bridge. Mum and Dad owned a very successful Bar Code business, the first in Australia until they sold it in 2001.
I have been working in the design industry for 12 years and had my own design business for over 5 years. I decided to return to full time work a year after the birth of my daughter as I found it hard to network, market and work from home with an active infant.
Crunch Design suffered from the recession earlier on in the year so I stepped in to bring in new clients and create awareness that Crunch Design is a player in the industry.
I am loving the new role. I network with The Athena Network, Business Chicks and a circle of friends through Twitter and Facebook. I meet inspiring business people on a weekly basis who are willing to help, guide and give non-judgmental advice.
I lost my confidence when I was in the wrong relationship with my daughter's father. Constantly being put down and disrespected, I knew I would not get anywhere in life if I stayed in the situation. So I left, and instantly felt empowered to further my career, health and lead a life free of guilt and self-hate.
I am most likely to have self-doubt in my parenting role. Am I doing the right things? Is she eating well? Is she getting enough exercise? Do I work too much? (Yes!) As a single mother I discipline on my own and it is a constant challenge.
The hardest time for me to keep my self-confidence is when I let the little things grow in my mind. If I let worries or concerns take over my mind space I tend to lose confidence, second guess myself and feel quite down. However, I overcome the lack of confidence by stepping back from the situation before it boils and taking the time to meditate. I have found meditating can rejuvenate my body and mind by releasing unconstructive thoughts.
What has helped me build my confidence is surrounding myself with an inspiring network of people whom I can learn from and create fulfilling friendships with.
It’s good to have self-confidence because the challenges that I face on a daily basis are easily overcome by self-love and respect. Love yourself and it will reverberate with others.
I keep my self-confidence by standing behind all decisions and knowing that the life I am making for myself and my daughter is a positive one.
Read about Crunch Design. http://www.crunchdesign.com.au
You can learn to meditate too. Confident-Woman has its own very popular meditation CDs.
Read our article and comment: "Mothers build self-esteem at home: Build self-esteem with affection".
13, Nov, 2009
Reader Comments (9)
It's great to read how you have juggled your two jobs; being a mother and successful business woman. Others can learn from how you have dealt with the challenges life has thrown up.
Fran Yeoh
The constant challenges life throws at you makes you stronger to face the next one.
That was lovely to read, simple and succinct, but it said a lot. I wish you all the best, Frances
So happy to know you and look I can't wait to see you again.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself. I don't know if I could.
Cheers,
kristin
I admire you on so many levels! Being honest is simple and hard at the same time.
You are a graceful and generous person and a great Mum.
Your daughter will learn to be a strong, caring woman from your glorious example!
I am glad for your friendship!
onward and upward!
:-)x
Nancy
See you soon.
Meditating comes from within, no thought, just being ~ and you illustrate so well here how when you act from within based upon your instinct/gut-feeling/heart - you move forward positively & with confidence -
Thanks for putting it so well :)
Linda