What These Powerful Women Would Have Told Their 22-Year-Old Selves

What 5 Powerful Women Would Have Told Their 22-Year-Old Selves

Whether you're a new graduate eager to take the job world by storm or a seasoned adult embarking on a career change, navigating a successful path can be a daunting task. Just take it from some of the most powerful and influential women in the workforce.

In LinkedIn's "If I Were 22" series, some of business' biggest heavy-hitters shared the wisdom they've gained from years of hard work, success and a few mistakes. How did nearly 90 percent of influencers polled end up "doing something they never imagined?" Some of our favorite advice from women, listed below, may have had something to do with it.

Suze Orman, TV host and author, on money:
"Money will never define you. You define your money. When you are starting out in your 20s, it is natural to think about all that you will have and do once you start making money, and making more money. That gives money way too much power over your life. It’s not about how much you make, but the life that you make with the money you have."

suze orman

Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, on the importance of perseverance:
"Stick with it. Don’t give up. Defend your ideas, but be flexible. Success seldom comes in exactly the form you imagine it will."

martha stewart

Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator, on expecting the unexpected:
"Never be so faithful to your plan that you are unwilling to consider the unexpected. Never be so faithful to your plan that you are unwilling to entertain the improbable opportunity that comes looking for you. And never be so faithful to your plan that when you hit a bump in the road -- or when the bumps hit you – you don’t have the fortitude, grace and resiliency to rethink and regroup... Plans or no plans, keep a little space in your heart for the improbable. You won't regret it."

elizabeth warren

Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE, on following your passion:
"Great breakthroughs don’t happen when you’re half-hearted. They require people who are emotionally and intellectually invested in what they’re doing. Find your passion and hang on to it. Never forget what motivated you to get to where you are today."

helene gayle

Sallie Krawcheck, former head of Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney and owner of the professional woman’s network 85 Broads, on first job woes:
"Keep a running note of what works and what doesn’t work for you, what you like and what you don’t like, what you’re good and what you aren’t, the work styles that suit you and what doesn’t, where you passions lie and what leaves you cold. The chance of the stars aligning on these fronts in your first job, or even your first couple of jobs, is very low, so you’ll have to keep searching."

sallie krawcheck

Well, now we know who we want to be when we grow up.

Before You Go

7 Influential Women Who Failed Before They Succeeded

Close

What's Hot