Expert Article: 'It's all within you. Dear girl tap your inner potential' - Ankita Gaba, Partner, iGenero

This article is part of the series for International Women's Day. 

By Ankita Gaba, Partner, iGenero

It may be the cock that crows, but it is the hen that lays the eggs - Margaret Thatcher

The furious feminists, the macho masculinists, or the nonchalant neutrals nobody will dare argue that ‘creating life’ is the most powerful miracle in the world. And we women possess it. We have a power which no being, except us can claim to own in their wildest imagination. Add to this maverick quality the values of compassion, intelligence, beauty, grace, poise, and you have a perfected human being in us.

But despite, being masterpieces on earth we are engaged in a constant battle between good and evil. The ironical part is that this battlefield is within ourselves, not outside. The good is our true selves, whereas the evil is our self-embraced negativity which is influenced by external factors like paternal society, perception of physical inferiority, proverbial glass ceilings and crappy quotes like ‘behind every successful man is a woman’ and other cultural nuances. I say to hell with it, if there is fear within me only then can I be bullied. Behind every successful woman there is nothing but her own shadow, so I have nothing to fear. A mélange of women like Ekta Kapoor, Indra Nooyi, Vandana Luthra, Chanda Kochar and scores of others have shown us that a step outside our evil alter ego and there is no limit to what we can achieve.

This women’s day lets break free from our self-created shackles of mediocrity and unleash our femininity and bring Wonder Woman out in to the real world. Here’s a few tips inspired by the biggest influencer in my life; Daisaku Ikeda that have helped me tap my true potential:

1. Be Yourself

Why be anyone else prose when you are poetry.

Each and every person on earth has a unique personality. And each and every woman on earth has an even vibrant personality. In Buddhist teachings, this diversity is symbolised by cherry, plum, peach and damson flowers; each fascinatingly unique in their own way. Cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms all have their own qualities, and they manifest the three properties of the life of the Buddha without changing their character. The cherry flower is renowned for its beauty, the plum blooms in late winter - while others bloom in the spring - and it, too, is known for its beauty. The damson flower’s looks different from the others, but it is associated with endurance and perseverance. We are all different. Every personality is unique, comparing ourselves to others will only lead to a sense of inferiority of superiority. No matter how much we try to become like someone else, we can only be ourselves. So be yourselves, because you are one of a kind and only your own personality can take you to greater heights.

2. Always check within you 

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. - Jimi Hendrix

The mere knowledge of ‘self’ is not enough. This is merely because your image of ‘self’ could be distorted by external factors. Factors which we know that may not always be in your best interests. That is why in Buddhist teachings, it is said that your knowledge should always be navigated by the hand of wisdom. Wisdom is the mirror to your soul which reflects reality in its true state. It helps you decipher from right and wrong in the purest form and concentrate all essentials - our knowledge, our talents and the unique particularities of our character - to the end of creating happiness for ourselves and others.

3. Be around people who inspire

Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you - John Wooden

Aristotle said, “Man is by nature is a social being”, but Woman by nature are a socially emotional being. We like spending time with friends & family and love being a key slice of their life. However, this means that they play a vital role in our lives also. It matters what they say and what they don’t. That is why it’s extremely crucial that we surround ourselves with people who are well-wishers in the real term. They bring out the best in you, ensuring that you don’t lose focus of your true calling. Strictly avoid negativity and anyone whom you think is a rotten apple among the crop.

4. Value yourself and each life around you

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. – Buddha

Going back to the ‘cherry, plum, peach and damson blossoms’ each personality complements each other. If you are an introvert then you are a good listener, a perfect companion for an extrovert who loves to talk. If you value yourself and each life around you, you create a community around yourself which complements and encourages you, instead of competing with you.
This Women’s Day lets vow to get in touch with our true goddess and show the world unabashed women power.

Cut not the wings of your dreams, for they are the heartbeat and the freedom of your soul - Flavia

The author is a Partner in iGenero, a revolutionising digital marketing agency based out of Hyderabad, with branches in Bangalore and Mumbai. She oversees branding, strategy, finance, operations and human resources.