The annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference typically takes place in January, but has been postponed to later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked past ATHENA Award recipients for their favorite inspirational quotes, podcasts, books, and more to help motivate you through 2021.

Podcast Recommendations

I love podcasts; here’s just a few that I listen to:

2021 Goals

My goal for January is to get my life back on track by doing Dry January, Weight Watchers, and short 7-15 minute exercises. To help me be accountable, I decided to share my “Live Your Best Life” 4-week course for free!  Here’s the recording: http://mailchi.mp/peggyvasquez.net/bestyearyet-session-1 - It runs every Tuesday in January from 12:00-1:00 pm PT.  ​

Peggy Vasquez is an international speaker, empowerment coach, and author.

The annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference typically takes place in January, but has been postponed to later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked past ATHENA Award recipients for their favorite inspirational quotes, podcasts, books, and more to help motivate you through 2021.

Words of Wisdom

I am a firm believer that your success is based on your relationships. Business partners have to feel that you are ethical, honest and trustworthy. When you don’t know the answer, say so, do the research and follow up. It takes a long time to build trust, but it quickly fades when you give misinformation.  

Book Recommendation

I was honored to attend a Harvard Executive Leadership program with some great authors. Everything in your career and life requires negotiation. One of the best books is Getting to yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (Penguin, 3rd edition, 2011). Roger Fisher, William Urey, and Bruce Patton. It addresses six 6 skills that are critical to implement when working toward a common solution.  It’s an easy read packed with great tips!

​​Note: This is an Amazon Affiliate link - purchasing this item through this link supports the Regional Chamber

​Tips on Keeping Motivated in 2021

It's tough to stay motivated in these very stressful times, but remember that the way you interact with others can make their day! Stay happy, healthy and alert! We will all be together soon.  

Terry Walsh is the former Executive Director of Employee and Community Relations for the City of Kennewick. She is now retired.

The annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference typically takes place in January, but has been postponed to later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked past ATHENA Award recipients for their favorite inspirational quotes, podcasts, books, and more to help motivate you through 2021.

Book Recommendations

​The Perfection Detox by Petra Kolber - I’ve read the first two chapters and have found some helpful hints to recognize and reboot yourself out of negative self-treatment.

Paint Yourself Positive by Jean Haines - This book teaches you to play with water colors. You only need three colors and two brushes and water color paper to start playing. I found that getting lost in learning how the water and the colors morphed was very relaxing and freed my mind from the stresses of the daily news and COVID restrictions. If anyone has at any point in their life been artistic, this is a very kind re-entry. The author recommends that you leave your inner judge aside and just play to enjoy.

Note: These are Amazon Affiliate links - purchasing these items through these links supports the Regional Chamber

Jeanne Dillner is the chief executive officer of SIGN Fracture Care International.

The annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference typically takes place in January, but has been postponed to later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked past ATHENA Award recipients for their favorite inspirational quotes, podcasts, books, and more to help motivate you through 2021.

Words of Wisdom

Each morning has 2 handles to choose from. You can hold on to the handle of anxiety or the handle of enthusiasm. Upon your choice we will your day. (This has played a big part in the mornings of 2020 and currently)

The most successful people are the ones that learn from their mistakes and turn their failures into opportunities. 

I like the business we are becoming, the things we went through this last year honestly has made me and our company a better person/place. 

Tips on Keeping Motivated in 2021

• Patience
• Courage
• Creativity
• ​Service above self 

These things are all important, my love for the hospitality industry has kept me motivated.

Book Recommendations
​
My two favorite reads are: Give 'em the Pickle by Robert Farrell and The Purple Cow by Seth Godin.

Both of these books are great customer service books. Does not matter what industry you are in you will take away ideas from each of these. 

Note: Below are Amazon Affiliate links - purchasing these items through these links supports the Regional Chamber

Shirley Simmons is a co-owner of CG Public House & Catering.

The annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference typically takes place in January, but has been postponed to later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked past ATHENA Award recipients for their favorite inspirational quotes, podcasts, books, and more to help motivate you through 2021.

Words of Wisdom

Growing up I remember my dad saying something over and over again throughout my years. When asked a question or to relate an incident, he always said, “Your word is your honor.” It’s stuck with me all these years. Still applies to today’s environment… in fact, even more so.

When I was an Honored Queen with the Jobs Daughters organization, we had a mantra, “Patience, Faith, and Reward.” It related to the Book of Job, in the Bible. I still apply it to things I do and say.

There are so many quotes and words of wisdom out there… particularly on Facebook and social media in general. While these are appreciated and apply to certain situations, I find that it’s the “tried and true” words of wisdom that have followed me throughout my life that rise to the top.   

​Book Recommendations
​
I love fiction. I love where it takes me, so these are all fiction recommendations:

Note: These are Amazon Affiliate links - purchasing these items through these links supports the Regional Chamber

​Podcast Recommendation
​
Brene Brown’s On My Mind podcast, “On Words, Actions, Dehumanization and Accountability.”

​Tips on Keeping Motivated in 2021

• Make your bed when you get up in the morning
• Have some quiet time to plan your day, prioritize your thoughts, reaffirm your love of self
• Be current in news, but not excessively dedicated to it
• Read good books, taking chances on those you’ve never heard of, but may fall in love with
• Watch a “feel good” movie, one that takes you places and helps you imagine
• Listen to others, but always be true to yourself
• Walk, bike, climb, hike…whatever it takes to get some exercise and fresh air
• Love those you hold dear and tell them about your love for them
• Cook good food and enjoy good wine!

Other Tips

Working hard has come easy for me, along with a dedicated work ethic: Always on time, Prepared, Articulate, and Wise. Those are the elements I worked toward throughout my career. Reaching the mountain top was always my goal. To be the best of what I could be, consistently.

Having reached the top of my mountain I sought to climb, it’s the backside of the mountain that culminates the rewards that have been sewn. I love my life. I’m breathing in every smell, seeing every flower, and watching clouds glide against a blue sky. It feels like all I’ve accomplished has presented to me a gift of awareness I never knew existed. I don’t have to go far to realize what I have in hand.

Another impression and realization about being on the backside of my mountain is the love I have for my spouse. It occurs to me now, more than ever, all the support, love and commitment he’s bestowed to me over my ever-so-aggressive career path and years of community support, are recognized and appreciated. It’s his time to be cherished and loved by me in a way I’ve never provided before. I do it willingly and lovingly with all my heart.

So, my message to other women who are reaching for the top of their mountain, is to love every moment of the climb and remember the backside of the mountain can be just as rewarding and valued.   

Toby Bouchey is the former owner of Windermere Group One. She is now retired.

A colleague and friend recently sent me an article on the 15 Traits of Unabashedly Successful Women. She couldn’t help but note that we have talked about every single trait throughout the course of our own conversations and relationship (see #6!). The article drew me in immediately because it’s simple, short, and powerful. In particular, trait #1, Play to your Strengths, has been my mantra for more than 30 years, except I tweak it a bit and live by the principle that we should all “Play to our Giftedness.”

Because these are such extraordinary and challenging times, especially for women in business, I’ll add an additional quote that has served me well and is from one of my favorite people, Eleanor Roosevelt:

It’s that last line that has served me well as I have taken on challenges throughout my life and my career. I welcome the difficult, complex, no-one-thinks-it-can-be-done, undertaking. It serves to energize me, get my creative juices flowing, and puts me in a space where I’m continually learning - which is when I reach out to others who are gifted in ways that I am not. It serves to remind me that only together, with a united sense of purpose, do we accomplish truly worthy efforts.

Above all, I remain grateful. ​