::10 Things I have gained in the Mujeres de HACE Latinas in Leadership Program::

::momma disclosure:: I did receive a partial scholarship for the Mujeres de HACE Latinas in Leadership program and all opinions and statements expressed here are my own and honest. 

I am going to sound a little Academy Award-ish, starts acceptance speech... "I would like to thank God."  But all jokes aside really, I am very, VERY thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Houston HACE cohort. It was one of those things that I applied for and never thought I would get into. I am very fortunate to have a Husband who is always supportive {after some rational thought and long drawn out conversations about pros and cons to the program, HA. } of the program and me attending. Finally, I am also fortunate to have had so many wonderful women in my circle who pushed me, motivated me and messaged me with true words of positive support to just go for it and participate. As well as the support of my current employer which was also key and highly  important.

This opportunity was not taken in vain and I have been taking every week in and fully embracing every moment. I have been very vulnerable and emotional in most of the classes. We are coming to the end of the 4-month program with graduation being just around the corner and I wanted to give you a recap of what I have gained so far.

I have gained the following from going through this program:

::New lasting Professional connections::

Yes, my network is extensive after almost 18 years of career building experience, but to really get to know some of those connections is not the same. In this group, I am meeting, like-minded career-driven women but also very professional high ranked women. Those of whom I am learning from and connecting on a very personal level. It helps create very lasting professional friendships which are important to my career as I advance. In addition, these new connections can then become mentors and advisors along the way. 

::A bigger circle of support::

As the years have gone by and jobs have come and gone, I have gained one or two people within my professional support system. With HACE I am gaining a support group of over 10 ladies. All of who are working professional Latinas or working Mommas which makes me so happy. Their life experiences all come together in one room every other week and we learn so much from one another and can support and help one another as the months have gone by. 

::Skill set to move forward::

Yes, I have plenty of good skills that I have acquired over almost 18 years of working in corporate America. But the skills being learned in the Mujeres de HACE Leadership course go far deeper than learned skill sets. They combine those technical skills with experience and professional development. The combination is an eye-opener for sure.  I have in the past months been exposed to deeper levels of self-awareness, emotions, and topics that I don't think I have really been able to develop over the years. Yes, we learn how to be professional and handle certain situations. But now, I feel like I have learned a better way to handle myself and my emotions so that I can not only overcome situations but take control of them and move upward in my career. 

::Confidence to gain in the workplace::

One of those "skills" that I have gained in past years has been confidence. What I know now that was missing is boldness and the assertiveness to know what I am worth and my value. These concepts have added to my level of confidence when it comes to speaking about certain topics in the workplace and when it comes to handling how I want my career to move forward. HACE through the series of classes allows you to be inspired by other like-minded Latinas who have been able to boldly take control of their careers and advance. It's such a wonderful skill-set to develop. 

::Inner Strength::

When I came to this program I knew that I was a "strong" person. Life and work have made me this way. But, listening to the speakers in our course, those strong Latina's who have overcome so many types of adversity and obstacles to be where they are, has created a deeper sense of inner strength within me. More than I knew I had. Just the ability to overcome and mindset to push forward and fight for what I know I deserve and am capable of. I try to push myself daily to do better, to correct my wrongs, and with the HACE program, it has helped create a refresher as to why I do what I do and why I have come so far.

::New Girlfriends::

The women I have met in this course are not only classmates or career peers, they have become good friends. I know that I can confide in them, trust them and ask them for advice. In return, I have been there for some of the ladies who simply need a listening ear. Building friendships is important to professional Latina's who at times might feel like the odds are against or who may feel the world is out to get them. Building one another up and providing good genuine friendships is so important. 

::Better Understanding of myself::

As stated before, the course was an eye-opener. I have taken many personality tests and talked to several life/professional coaches now. But, I feel that speaking to them on a professional level and in a more established setting has helped create a different perspective. In the past, I have been in not-so-good professional setting or place in my career. Right now I feel settled, and as if though thriving in this current place is necessary. What helps is that the setting is just that, professional. It has helped better understand myself as a career Momma. 

::A different perspective of others in the workplace::

The best advice so far has been to not take things personally in the workplace. I know that this has been said to me before but with listening to so many professional women in the last 3 months, this has become far clearer. Yes, you spend a lot of time at your job and you want to do well and succeed. But, at the end of the day, we don't truly know everyone we work with and taking things personal or home with you after 8 hours of work, is not good. We are all here to do a job. Regardless of our personal feelings, we should all have one goal in mind, doing what is required to complete our assigned daily tasks. I know that some people do better than others within a workplace. But, truly being the bigger person gives you the upper hand. My perspective has shifted and I want to do well. Not just to gain a paycheck every 2-weeks but because I want to have a long lasting a good career. 

::New outlook on my career::

With this new perspective, the better more enhanced skill-sets, it gives me new hope and a new goal for my career. The desire to do well where I am for my overall career advancement and that doesn't mean I need to be promoted or moved up, sometimes good growth within a position or lateral moves can also create good shifts in your career. Being happy and open to what's coming. Embracing change and loving my job, it's what I want and strive for. Sure, there will be bad days, nothing is perfect. But, constantly seeking to do well for yourself and your future within a company has never really been a set goal of mine. In the past, I have had great positions where I have obtained promotions but it was almost always about the money and making more to provide for my family. Where I am now, sure money is needed to provide for my family but my true goals have changed and I don't think that's a bad thing. 

::Further Confirmation that I am following the right path::

If you have been following my blog for some time or know me personally you will know that in the past I have not been happy with my jobs. My workplaces have placed me in situations with not so favorable people. Again, I have despite all these obtained promotions and raises because I believe in working hard no matter what. But, until now  I knew the past places were not permanent. Maybe it has to do with my current more stable family/home life, but I know that where I am could be my permanent place. Especially with the empowerment tools that HACE has provided.

http://www.haceonline.org/programs

::Things to consider when making Big Decisions::

A couple of weeks ago I received an email, one that I truly wasn't expecting. I was accepted to participate in the Mujeres de HACE, Women in Leadership program. While it was a huge honor and I felt overwhelmed and excited. There would be a cost for the program. I immediately wrote it off as, "it's not gonna happen" but then I "placed it out in the universe" and the magic began. Through a facebook post, I expressed my feelings and concerns. I received so many comments and so much encouragement that I began to think, this might just happen! 

{Only a few of  the 33 comments, full post here.}

After seeing the awesome facebook feedback, I thought, I need to go home and really talk to my Husband and see what he thinks. I sent him the email I received for him to review, he is the logic and financial person in our relationship. I thought, he won't see the value, he will think it's a waste of my money, he will write it off as "eh do you really want to do this?" and I will be persuaded to move on. That didn't happen at all. I came home, asked my Husband, what do you think? He began to tell me how it would be a relevant program, and that it would be up to me, if I wanted to do it, then go for it. Not what I expected. 

Then I asked HACE for types of payment options I had for the program and the wonderful administrative team suggested I ask my employer and sent me a letter to ask them for possible funding. I was a bit intimidated having only been at my company for about 9 months but moved forward. And, I've received good, positive feedback from my manager. I am still waiting on higher-ups to decide if they can help but still, I had the faith and courage to ask and I feel that's the first step to success. Plus my co-worker and immediate managers' response was so supportive I felt so good about having asked. 

With this experience I know will come great responsibility but as always I want to share this journey with all the Momma's that read my blog and seek to be inspired. 

What have I learned so far? Well, you must... 

::Claim your ticket:: 

Opportunities come to you for a reason, whether expected or not we should claim our tickets and figure out what we need to do to succeed in those opportunities. Sure, you should weigh out the pros and cons but know that this is yours, and you deserve it! Claim it! Speak it into existence and have faith that you will find your way.  Somebody once told  me, "Connie if this is for you, it's already yours." Those words have been with me for years... because it's true. Anything that is truly and genuinely meant for you, is already written into your future, you just have to take it and run! 

::Take Care of You::

The same night that I talked to my Hubby about this program was the same night of the new show 'Strong'. One of the contests said that same old story of mommas everywhere... "I became too invested in caring for others, that I often forget to take care of myself." After I cried my face out, I thought, this program is all about taking care of ME. As a Momma with a career and who wants to be a certain example for her family and most importantly for my daughter, I must take care of me! No more putting ourselves on the back burner... because you will be burned out. 

::Invest in You::

Just like a well-oiled business, your are a brand and a business for your company, you must invest in bettering yourself and learning more for the benefit of everyone. Sure it can seem like a lot of time and money but in the long run, it's so worth it. Spending on yourself isn't only about clothes and shoes, it's also about feeding your mind and motivating your soul. I am sure we can find "better" things to spend our money on but we can also waste it on those things that have no real value, so why not invest in yourself. You must put a little effort into being a better you, even if it costs you. 

::Own It::

Not like "Yay, I did it" but YES, this is mine and I will slay! You know that moment Beyonce walks on stage and you know she is gonna be a badass, well she knew that before taking the first step onto that stage. That natural vibe of certainty is where you want to be. That confidence that yes, THIS IS MINE. I deserve it, I will own it and I will be a badass. It's already yours if you are sitting in the moment and experience, no one can take it from you and don't allow the outside world to take it from you. It's none of their business, it's yours! 

::Fully Commit:: 

There is nothing that hurts me more than people who are like yes, I can and will do this but then a few days later they have more important commitments or other priorities. I know things happen and people's lives change from one second to another, but if you have been accepted into a certain path, why not fully commit? Why not erase self-doubt and stop making excuses? Just like we have made sacrifices, invested money and weighed out the good and the bad to accept the opportunity; those people presenting us with the opportunity have done the same. They have fit you into their schedule so why not commit to doing the same for them? So yes, please fully commit to those things that will be beneficial to your well-being and in the long wrong to your overall quality of life.