Becoming a great woman doesn’t happen without effort. While we all carry commendable traits, some women go beyond the ordinary. These women intentionally crafted a life and presence worth admiring. From financial literacy to gratitude, you could become an extraordinary woman if you focus on these 15 traits.
Ability to Set Strong Boundaries
Boundaries are vital in setting the tone for all our relationships. Women often feel as if they need to say “yes” to every favor, invite, and task, even if they are overextending themselves. While generosity is an amazing quality, it’s not beneficial to do so at your own expense. Once you learn how to set fair, honest boundaries around yourself, life becomes exponentially more manageable.
Healthy Independence
The knowledge that you can always care for yourself regardless of what life throws at you is invaluable. Independence is the cornerstone of a great woman. While there is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it, the confidence to get the job done on your own is an indispensable skill.
Radical Accountability
There’s not a single person alive who hasn’t made their fair share of mistakes. Blunders and missteps are inevitable. The way you address those mistakes can be what helps you stand apart from the crowd. Radical ownership and accountability of our mistakes can feel uncomfortable, but it’s always better than passing the blame.
Overreaching Empathy
Women are known for their natural capacity for empathy. From a young age, they are socialized to be in community with one another, which lends itself to understanding our peers more. But even if it isn’t as intuitive to you, empathy is a muscle you can grow. Understanding what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes is a vital skill that will aid in being a good leader, community member, mother, and wife.
Financial Literacy
Money is an intimidating topic for many of us. But when you truly have a grasp on your budget and understand how to grow your money, not only will you have better financial health–you will also gain a sense of peace and confidence. Money doesn’t buy happiness, as they say, but it can certainly aid in creating a stable, fruitful life.
A Palpable Aura of Positivity and Peace
Anxiety is a tough tendency to kick. It’s no easy feat to feel secure in the face of so much external uncertainty. But it is possible to find yourself at a baseline level of peace and positivity. We might not have control over the world around us, but we do have control over ourselves. Whether it’s through therapy or lifestyle changes, working toward being at peace will help you become the best version of yourself.
Beauty from Within
Beauty has long been a key facet of femininity. Exuding beauty is often seen as a vain aspiration in our modern day. While seeking beauty for the sake of others can be unhealthy, seeking inner beauty and presenting in a way that makes you feel beautiful can be a worthwhile pursuit. Feeling beautiful inside and out will help you to be more confident and present as a self-assured woman.
Deeply Rooted Confidence
Confidence is vital for any woman seeking excellence. People gravitate towards those who carry themselves confidently. If you don’t have that sense of self yet, don’t give up. There is truth to “faking it ‘til you make it.” Over time, it won’t feel like you’re pretending.
Good Community Member
Community is everything. We are social creatures, and knowing how to build and maintain community is a skill every amazing woman should perfect. When you have a solid community, you can help each other through the trials of life and have people you love to celebrate your wins with.
Connection with Her Inner Child
Hardly any of us make it through childhood unscathed. Whether we felt a lack of support from our parents or isolation from our peers, the little “you” within carries that hurt until you address it. Confronting those traumas is essential for any successful adult. You’ll find that connecting with your inner child will not only be healing but could also restore a refreshing sense of play.
Resilience
Life has a way of throwing us off track from time to time. We have two choices in the face of adversity: roll over in defeat or stand firm through it all. Resilience will serve you time and time again. When we cultivate inner strength and perseverance, we discover reserves of courage we never knew existed. The most successful women embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, transforming obstacles into stepping stones for future achievements.
Ability to Forgive
Forgiveness is not for the person who hurt you, it’s for you. Grudges sit heavy in your soul, weighing you down. Hanging on to past hurts has no negative effect on those who wrong you. When you learn to lean into empathy and forgive, you give yourself permission to let go of that hurt. It’s not a pass for those who hurt you but a means for you to feel free.
Flexibility During the Unexpected
Tough times call for creativity and flexibility. Resilience is step one. Once you get your bearings, it’s time to think on your feet and strategize your next move. Great women know that rigidity can slow your progress and lean on flexibility when necessary.
Organization
Constantly running late, missing deadlines, and being unreliable does not gain you a lot of favor. Finding a sustainable rhythm can feel like an insurmountable task when organization isn’t your strong suit. But once you find a method that works for you, you will wonder how you ever lived any other way.
Mindfulness and Gratitude
We are at our best when we’re living in the moment. The moment feels best when we’re regularly sitting in gratitude. Mindfulness doesn’t have to just look like dutiful meditation. You can achieve mindfulness by putting your phone down more, maintaining a fulfilling daily ritual, or taking time to be in nature. Live every day like it’s a gift and take time to muse on all the things you’re grateful for—big and small.
