International Women's Day 2015: Make it Happen

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March is ‘Make it Happen’, a fantastically inspiring statement that celebrates women’s achievement and calls for greater equality. This of course chimes really well with everything Diversity Jobs and The Big I.D.E.A. are all about: diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion.

So what does ‘Make it Happen’ mean to you, and how does it inspire your career? Maybe you’re trying to overcome a challenge or figure out a way around a hurdle at work. Or you want to feel more valued in your workplace or are fighting against discrimination. Perhaps you’re thinking of applying for a promotion, finding a better, more fulfilling job, or even setting up your own business.

Whatever is going on in your career right now, we’d love to know what ‘Make it Happen’ means to you. Join The Big Idea debate and share with us any golden nuggets of inspiration, personal stories, private mantras or just some good old fashioned advice.

You can tweet us @Djsbigidea using, #MakeItHappen #Womensday, or go to our Facebook Page and comment on there.

To start the debate, and to celebrate International Women’s Day, The Big I.D.E.A. has found some sparkling quotes from inspirational and successful women. We hope they kick start your motivation and help you make it happen for yourself too.

Fiona Cannon OBE, Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Lloyds Banking Group

“Not taking things personally is a lesson I learnt really early on… That ability to be a bit more resilient I think is really important for anybody, but women in particular. I do think that ability to own your own power and not give it away to anybody else is really important.”

Dame Sarah Storey, Paralympic athlete

“I've never been treated differently and that's played a major part in my life. I've just got on with it. I always took part in able-bodied sport at school and I learned to throw and catch a ball like any other child did.”

Theresa May, Home Secretary

“I think it's important to do a good job and not to feel that you've got to make grand gestures, but just to get on and deliver.”

Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE  @7Traits , businesswoman, author and campaigner for minorities’ rights

“Be selfless and courageous whilst keeping your eyes on the prize.”

Jessica Ennis-Hill CBE, Olympic athlete

“I'm proud of the way I've dealt with setbacks. It's hard when you feel down and you think, 'Why is the world doing this to me?' But you have to pick yourself up again. That's what makes you a better athlete.”

Paula Vennells, CEO Post Office and part-time Church of England curate

“I would teach to never say no… Pushing the boundaries, courage, tenacity, and resilience.”

(Taken from ‘7 Traits of Highly Successful Women on Boards’ by Dr Yvonne Thompson)

Baroness Karren Brady, business woman and right-hand women on TV’s The Apprentice

“Nothing particularly bothers me. People like you, they don't like you – I'm very relaxed about that. Life is very short, and if you worry what people think of you, if you second-guess yourself, you're in trouble. As long as you do the best you can each day, handle yourself in a way that you should be proud of, well then, everything is fine.”

Dame Fiona Woolf, solicitor and Lord Mayor of London 2013-14

“Just take responsibility for your own career development. Don’t be afraid to ask. I had to ask to get my own partnership. People keep asking 'what’s the secret of your success Fiona?’ Actually the answer is, get lucky and say yes.”

Sheekha Rajani, Director, DiversityJobs.co.uk and TheBigIDEA.co.uk

“Be different, don’t compete. Often we find ourselves competing for the next project, or for that job or promotion. But it’s by embracing what makes you different and playing to your strengths…that’s what will help you get there.”

Don’t forget to tell us what motivates you to make it happen. You can tweet us @Djsbigidea using, #MakeItHappen #Womensday, or go to our Facebook Page and comment on there.