Looking great with Olivia
Power drive
Being in the public eye and working with a variety of women’s support networks, I’m often reminded how many women lack self-confidence. They have so much to offer, yet they need to be much more positive about aiming high and standing up for their values.
Here are some tips from The Women’s Power Handbook (published by Viking, rrp 524.95) to help build up your self-respect and put you in a position of power. It was compiled by Victoria’s first female premier, Joan Kirner, and the state’s former Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, Moira Rayner.
Know what you value and always act with integrity.
Drop the false modesty and accept compliments.
Recognise when your work has been well done and stop trying to improve it.
Risk change. (This may take time as it’s one of the toughest things to do.)
Be self-aware. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, let go of beliefs that weaken you.
Overcome fear. Learn to call it excitement another tough one.
Value yourself.
Build constructive criticism into your daily routine.
Keep close to you those people who will always tell you the truth, but with love.
Polish your external image. Know that people judge you by how you seem and if you seem confident you will be.
Seek out positive people.
Expect to be respected and respect others.
Dream of what you want to be and how you would change the world.
Fishy friends
Pets have been credited with improving people’s health -from lowering blood pressure to helping people live longer. Indeed, I have so many pets that I expect to live a very long and healthy life!
Studies on the power of pets have usually focused on dogs and cats, which are my great loves. But it also seems that the finned variety of pet is just as effective. Dentists must be aware of the health benefits of fish-many surgeries have aquariums in the waiting room and I remember gazing into those tanks long and hard!
Researchers say that gazing at fish not only reduces stress levels and soothes the brain by boosting the production of alpha waves, it can also help reduce blood pressure by promoting a sense of calm.
Fish can even help to improve your relationships. Studies have found that aquarium lovers fight less and have more loving relationships.
About 75 per cent of people feel more relaxed if they care for a pet every day. That translates into fewer colds and headaches, and a stronger immune system.