written by Carey-Lee Dixon

2017, we partnered with Jamaica Public Service Company Limited to participate in the Women in Energy Conference. The conference was held on March 9-10 at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston, with over 500 attendees from Jamaica, the Caribbean, and North America.

The event brought together a diverse group of women who shared their experiences and inspired each other. We had the opportunity to connect with and engage women who were making significant contributions to their organisations.

The diverse range of speakers provided practical strategies, insights, and tips to help women build courage and position themselves as power players.

We have distilled our key takeaways from the conference into 9 points, which we would like to share to help you create a positive impact in your lives and careers.

Carey's Insights

It was an incredible experience to be in the room with diverse women who are passionate, resilient and motivated to continue working on being the best version of themselves. Being in the room reminded me the power is in my hands. Here are my takeaways:-

1. Build Your Tribe

For years, I did so much of the work building For Women to Women on my own; I worked silently and didn't ask for help. But I have also achieved so much because I cultivated relationships, asked for help or had people who genuinely want to see me win reach out to help me.

A common conversation throughout the conference was cultivating relationships and building an ecosystem, whether having a mentor, a sponsor, an accountability partner, your girlfriends, your family, or people you can trust and who will be honest with you when needed! 

2. Stand In Your Light

Every woman who shared their story on stage stood in her light; she was courageous and knew her purpose and passion.

One thing I constantly work on is creating a purpose-filled life (knowing what fulfils me, knowing why I do what I do, knowing what drains me and knowing what my freedom looks and feels like), one that I am proud of - not one that those around me think is best for me but what I know to be true. 

One of my greatest takeaways is, "When you're standing in your light, sometimes you have to stand alone." - because not everyone around you will understand. 

3. Get Out of Your Way

I have been guilty of holding myself back. There have been times when I am stuck in my head, telling myself lies like "I am not ready", "The timing isn't perfect", or "I am not enough." I stayed in my head or stuck with what was comfortable because I was protecting myself from failing - every successful woman on the stage shared that they have felt fearful and failed at some point in their life. 

A great introspective question from Kelly Tomblin is, "Ask yourself what is stopping me from showing up for me." My answer was that I feared failing, being judged or being told no.

But when I stand back in fear, nothing will happen, and I hold back from becoming the best version of myself and living in my truth - "When you leave the comfort zone, you are going to fail, but what is the point of life if you never fail." - Rochelle Cameron.

4. Bounce Back from the Ls

So many speakers spoke about their losses, failures, mistakes, rejections and disappointments while building their careers and businesses - which reminded me that our losses don't define us; they build our character and prepare us for something greater.

Angella Rainford shared great advice: "Sometimes they will say no. It's their loss; take the no and keep moving." I've heard so many nos, "You're not qualified" and "I don't think you are ready", and sometimes I have dwelled on them, but I have been inspired to keep moving forward.

RELATED: For Women to Women x Women in Energy

Monique's Insights

Women in Energy exceeded my expectations. As I sat in that room, I basked in the energy of women determined to live their lives on purpose. Here is what I learned.

5. Don't do it alone

Almost every woman who took the stage mentioned having a mentor, a coach, or a sponsor. These women's greatness was not achieved on their own. I realised I was holding myself back by trying to get all the credit.

6. Own your story

I was moved by how vulnerable each woman was. Whether it was marrying the wrong man, being made redundant three times or getting pregnant at 17, each woman OWNED her story. She didn't use it as an excuse to stay small, she used it to propel her into her purpose.

7. Ignore the glass ceiling

During the panel with the men, they were asked, "What characteristics are common amongst successful women?" One of the most inspiring answers was that women who succeed don't acknowledge the glass ceiling they just get things done. We often focus on the door that has closed and completely miss the window. 

8. Envy will steal your joy

I'm the type of person who honestly is discouraged by social media, to be honest. I may see some executing on something I want to do but can't figure out how. It has been a huge source of anxiety for me. I learned that I need to take the energy I get from "grudging" people and channel it into fulfilling my purpose.

9. It is not about me

My purpose was given to me not for glory, not because it's cute, but because, as  Marie Forleo says, the world needs the special gift that only I have. When I play small because I'm scared of failing or I don't feel ready, I need to remind myself that THIS dream was placed inside me for a reason. When I hold back because I'm scared I am doing a disservice to those I serve.

The coverage of this event was made possible thanks to our support team, Monique Kennedy and Jik Photography. We want to thank the ladies behind Jamaica Public Service Company Limited for giving us the opportunity to share our experience with you.

Were you at the conference? Or did you attend a conference recently and would like to share your key takeaways? We'd love to hear! Share in the comments below.