GWC Summer Speaker Series ft. Soledad O’Brien:
Say “no,” so you can say “yes”
Our Summer Speaker Series brings leaders and activists together with our CEO and Founder Reshma Saujani to have conversations about bravery, activism, and tech, broadcasted exclusively to our girls.
We’re so grateful to Soledad for joining this Summer Speaker Series. Check out more of what we learned from her conversation with Reshma.
ALWAYS ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED
One of our favorite bits of advice from this session was actually pretty straightforward: ask for what you need. We got around to the idea after talking about sisterhood, and how we need to be taking care of ourselves during this pandemic. The truth is, said Soledad, we’re not doing ourselves any favors when someone asks, “what can I do to help out?” and we say, “nothing.” Ask for what you need, and don’t be ashamed about it. Chances are, if the person you’re talking to can’t help — they’ll find someone who can. Build up the bravery to ask for what you need, to share the challenges you’re facing.
SAYING “NO” TO SOME THINGS, IS SAYING “YES” TO OTHER THINGS
Yes, Soledad advised us to ask for what we need — whether it’s advice or support or time from your friends, mentors, or family. But she also underscored the importance of being able to say “no” to requests that stress us out. Because, she said, when we say no to some things, we say yes to other things. When we say no to things that actually just stain our schedules and stress us out, we say yes to things like studying or spending time with loved ones or just relaxing. Now, especially, it’s important that we take time for ourselves.
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Huge thanks to Soledad, and of course, to Reshma for having this conversation!
The Girls Who Code Summer Speaker Series is a set of conversations between Girls Who Code Founder and CEO Reshma Saujani and leaders and activists broadcasted exclusively to girls enrolled in our Virtual Summer Immersion Program. Girls have the opportunity to listen in to a fireside chat and then to ask their own questions about bravery, leadership, and tech. To find out more, read our press release here.
