Dare To Be Different: Madam CJ Walker

Quarantine season got us bonding with Netflix. We have been entertained thoroughly by aLl the various shows, one particular series that has educated and motivated us is the Netflix limited series: Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker.

He are three things we have learnt from watching the Netflix Series:

1. Starve The Distractions, Feed The Focus

In the series one thing is clear is that Walker was sure about what she wanted to achieve and she was even more sure of her ability to achieve it. She didn’t let anything or anyone distract from her focus. Regardless of the no’s she got along the way she never stopped pouring into her vision with persistence to succeed.

When working towards building something new you’re going to have various forms of distraction that are often time stealers, this includes spending a lot of time in social media, listening to people who are not empowered enough to support you on your dreams and focusing on others who are trying but failing or comparing yourself to others doing the same and succeeding, then doubting if you have the ability to achieve the same.

Success requires you to be wise enough to starve the distractions you identify as stifling your journey of success and choosing to stay focused on feeding your energy towards the end result you so highly desire.

2. Let Competition Be Your Motivation

In the series Walker’s competitor is Addie Malone and their relationship as businesswomen is one filled with jealousy where they are constantly trying to out do each other.

What we should take from this is that in whatever you do you cannot avoid competition and there is a choice to either be affected by it to the point you feel demotivated or take on the challenge presented by your competitor as an opportunity to improve and be better. We see Walker improving her products, developing new ways of doing hair and empowering other women by giving them higher positions like being owners of salons and also building their skills, then in turn these same women teach others who are just starting out.

Walker brings to life the perspective that matters, which is the glass is half full not half empty.

3. Don’t Limit Your Success

“Be a Walker girl and change the whole wide world” this is what Walker suggested to her husband as the appropriate marketing slogan for her products. She didn’t limit her success to just Indianapolis or America, she wanted to reach and empower as many women across the globe.

It is said that we are who we think we are, and who we think we are determines how far we go. So before something is actualised it is a thought first. Walker’s story encourages us to dream big, to be bold enough to dare and courageous enough to challenge the norm by being different.

“Don’t sit and wait for opportunities to come. Get up and make them.”

Madam CJ Walker

Comedian B.Simone lived by the above motto, learn how in 50 days she became millionaire!