What is a Diva?

A question that I’m often asked when people find out the name of my organization, see me wearing my shirts or hear me stress the importance of “embracing the divatude” is “What is a Diva?” followed by “How can I be one?”

I am asked that from women of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. My answer to them all is the same – A Diva is woman who is Driven, Inspiring, Victorious and called to Action. Your Divatude starts from within and we all are divas – we just need to walk in our purpose.

Let’s break down exactly what being Driven, Inspiring, Victorious and called to Action entails. These are characteristics I strive to embody in my day-to-day walk personally and professionally.

What Is A Diva?

Divas are empowered women who have a strong sense of self and the confidence to be themselves. They don’t care what other people think about them and they are not afraid to speak their minds.

The diva personality is a powerful one, but it is not for everyone. If you want to be a diva, you should know that there are some things you need to keep in mind:

• You shouldn’t care what other people think about you. What matters is how you feel about yourself and your relationship with others.
• Be confident in yourself and your abilities. Don’t let anyone tell you that something can’t be done because of your gender or race or anything else that makes them uncomfortable
• Stay true to who you are and never compromise who you are for anyone

How To Be A Diva

I love talking and connecting with people – especially positive and upbeat women. There’s something powerful when we connect and unite with one another. We are DIVAS, hear us ROAR, right?

When we hear the term “diva” we think of glitz and glamour, but the epitome of a true diva begins from the inside.

Being Driven In Your Day-to-Day Life

Being driven is not just about being more productive. It’s about having a sense of purpose and meaning in your life. These are the things that will motivate you to get up every day and do what you need to do. Here are some simple ways to achieve that:

Identify ways you can grow personally

There are many ways to grow personally. Some ways include finding out what you’re good at and explore that potential, teaching others who may need it, or reading books that you find interesting.

Identify what you want out of life and the steps to attain it

“In the end, you’re the only one who knows what’s best for you and the only person you can really count on. So figure out what it is, and go get it.”

Learn from and build upon mistakes from your past

When you make mistakes, learn from them. It’s important to realize that there are many things that can go wrong when you’re trying to achieve your goals. Whether it’s fighting bad habits or trying to change your life for the better, you need to be aware of what may happen and what your options are in case it does.

Strive to be a role model for others with your words and actions

A positive role model is someone who is the best person they can be, providing an example for others. It’s important to be a positive role model because our words and actions can have a big impact on people.

Being Inspiring In Your Day-to-Day Life

The best way to inspire others is by showing them what you are capable of. You can do this by being the best version of yourself. It’s important to be confident in your abilities and trust in yourself.

Identify those that inspire you and the qualities you admire.

It is not always easy to identify the qualities to admire in someone. We all have flaws, but it is important to acknowledge what you admire in others and why. Be introspective and think about the qualities that inspire you. Do you embody them? If not, what are your thoughts on how to improve these traits?

Avoid negativity and embrace positivity

Negative thoughts can hold us back from living our best lives. They can also be so overwhelming that we feel like we’re drowning in the negativity. It’s important to stop and think about what you’re thinking and why it may be happening. It’s important to identify the thought, evaluate the validity of it and, if possible, change your perspective on it.

Make each day count by being intentional with your thoughts and actions

It’s no secret that the way you spend your time has a direct impact on your life. It can be easy to slip into routines that are less than fulfilling, but it’s important to be intentional in how you spend your time in order to make each day count.

I am who I am because someone cared enough to sprinkle wisdom and love on me – many times not even realizing they were offering me a lifeline.

Being  Victorious In Your Day-to-Day Life

Victory is not a destination, it is a mindset. We can’t always control the circumstances of our lives but we can control how we react to them. Here are some specific steps that you can take to be more victorious in your life with your actions:

Overcome the fears that are keeping you from moving forward and growing

Remember that fear is a natural part of life. It’s something that we all experience in one form or another. Fear can be paralyzing and often stops us from experiencing the joys of life, but it can also be a motivator for us to take action.

Move out of your comfort zone.

Personal growth will come as you learn to react and respond in new environments.

Let go of past hurts.

Release past hurts by identifying what life lessons can be learned from them. This will allow you to move forward with the wisdom you now possess and peace in your heart, mind, and soul. It’s time to break down your old defenses so you can build new ones.

Don’t be afraid of failure – learn from missteps and keep moving forward

Failure is among the most common fears in today’s society. The fear of failure can be crippling to an individual, but it doesn’t have to be. Failure is a necessary part of the process that builds character and helps to develop resilience. It can provide valuable insights into what may not work for you in the future, but it should never discourage you from trying again.

Share your story with others.

There’s power in your story and you never know who you will inspire, empower and encourage by sharing it when the time is right.

Being Called to Action In Your Day-to-Day Life

Many people are called to action in their day-to-day lives. They may be called to help others, they may be called to save the environment, or they may be called to make a change in their own life. Sometimes this call is an internal one that is not heard by anyone else but the person who hears it.

The people who hear this call are usually the ones with a deep sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. This sense of purpose and meaning is what drives them. They know that there are things that need to be done in order for them to have a fulfilling life so they do not shy away from the call when it comes.

Taking action is one of the best ways to learn and improve.

The best way to learn and improve is to take action. Identify something you have wanted to do and do it. Once the task is completed, think about how it went, what you can learn from it and what you will change next time.

Set SMART goals to help you take action and be accountable.

SMART goals are a proven way to help you take action and be accountable. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Make a difference by volunteering and supporting others

Volunteering your time to support others can make a difference. These types of activities bring hope and happiness to people who need it the most, and it also reduces stress for volunteers. Volunteering can help you explore your interests, build self-confidence, and learn new skills.

Determine your passion in life and work in it

As we grow older, the question of what we want to do when we grow up is one that starts to rear its head. There are many factors that go into this decision, but the most important is our passion. While it may be difficult to narrow down what you want to do in life, when you find your passion in life and work in it, success will follow.

Acknowledge that what you do (the small and not-so-small) matters

We all feel that what we do in our lives doesn’t matter. The small things that we do are too minuscule to have any impact. The not-so-small things are so daunting, they seem insurmountable. But the truth is, what you do does matter, even if it’s just a little bit. Every single thing you do matters, because it adds up to be something

I encourage you to discover and embrace that we are all Divas from the inside out and that it is necessary to be a DIVA in your day-to-day life!

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Michelle D. Garrett is the founder of Divas With A Purpose. She focuses on sharing resources for being purposely productive; setting personal and professional goals and achieving them through daily action; and successfully running a business while focusing on your mental health. Michelle is a full-time entrepreneur who specializes in teaching female entrepreneurs how to show up consistently in their business – online and off.