I can't wait for you to listen to this episode!

Bricolage is the positive state of 'making do with what's at hand'. Instead of focusing on the resources you lack, bricolage forces you to rely on my breadth of knowledge and skills to create something new--something unique to you. It is at the heart of creativity and innovation.

This is just as true for the solopreneur as it is for a major corporation. Listen to this episode of Feminine Foresight to learn how to apply the principles of Bricolage to your life today!

Blog post: https://jenniferspoelma.com/2018/07/23/why-bricolage-is-a-word-you-need-to-know-as-a-creative/

Video: https://youtu.be/l6_cFu2cCUY

What do you think of when you hear someone described as a “strong woman?” Does one specific archetype come to mind? Depending on who your role models are, what Instagram accounts you follow and what your life goals are, your expectations of what a "strong woman" looks like might be different from the person next to you. And this points at something important. Let's discuss in this episode!

There is a difference between these two phrases: 'strong women' and 'women are strong'.

The first suggests a selective group. There is a qualifier, but it is undefined. What does it take to be, or to become, a strong woman? While the second phrase is a statement of fact, of truth. Women are strong. There are no qualifiers. Women are strong is an inclusive statement, it is reality and it is empowering for all women.

I wonder what the impact is of the strong women message is. I wonder how it might create in-group and out-group feelings. That is, the perception that some women are strong women because they meet certain criteria, but that may or may not include yourself. If a woman doesn’t identify to the depiction of strong women she sees in her newsfeed, how might that stunt her embodiment of her own power?

Let's discuss the implications in this episode of Feminine Foresight!

We all know the etiquette of interviews and business meetings— sit up straight, make eye contact, don’t fidget or cross your arms, and so on. But, did you know your friends, clients, guests, and fellow colleagues learn to trust you in this way, too? You have a lot more control over how people react to you than you may think! Listen in to learn how.

I know, I know 'judgeability' sounds like a bad thing. But it's actually a really good thing to be aware of and practice!

A “judgeable” person is someone who is easy to perceive accurately and is less likely to be misunderstood. Someone who is judgeable is open, transparent, and easy to read, as opposed to someone who is closed, hard to read, and enigmatic.

We can either make it easy or difficult to move towards understanding or away from it, depending on how good of a “target” we are. (How easy we are to “read.” )

People who are capable of being accurately understood are the ones most likely to be led to situations and relationships which are the best fit for their emotional states and personalities. In other words, (they are) more likely to be happy in the long run.

Listed to this episode of Feminine Foresight to learn more about sending the right signals to be understood better!

This is the fifth episode in our mini-series "Understanding Misunderstandings"! To wrap it up, we’re discussing the ins and outs of how misunderstandings actually happen. Misunderstandings can happen from both the speaker and listener sides of a conversation. The more you know about why misunderstandings happen, the better you'll be able to avoid them!

I believe that most people are generous and decent and want to connect with others. Even in our politically-charged world, I don't think most people set out to spur arguments and hostile word wars. And yet, at the same time, most of us hold very deep beliefs about the world and our own views of right and wrong. This makes it easy to feel offense and jump to quick conclusions about people when they say something we don't agree with. Learn how to handle these conversations with grace in this episode!

We all know the reality of a first impression: the moment you walk in the door, people are already forming their opinions about you--and you haven’t said a word. Yes, dressing the part helps land clients, network with the right crowd, and land that dream job, etc. But it's more than just a social situation--it's science! In this third part of the "Understanding Misunderstandings" mini-series, I’m filling you in on what you need to know to nail your first impressions!

I'm sure you remember being in middle school, or high school and feeling that relentless weight that everyone was watching you? Maybe you still feel that way, like you’re under a spotlight? It can be a horrible feeling because you feel limited and insecure. Like everyone is just waiting for you to mess up so they can laugh at you. Well, this feeling is all from a psychological experience called the spotlight effect. Learn more!

Today, I’m starting a mini-series of episodes related to misunderstanding, and how to overcome different aspects of it. It's called "Understanding Misunderstandings". Most of the topics we'll cover are not the obvious bits you may think of. Instead, we're uncovering the more deep-rooted psychological and sub-conscious factors that so often lead to us feeling unknown and misunderstood. Because the more understood you feel, the more you feel whole. Listen in!