From Welfare to Wall Street ~ One Small Step at A Time!
Deliberate Disruption
15 July 2009
Mrs. B. M. McClelland
PO Box 1215
KYNETON VIC 3444
Hello Bernadette,
Thank you for asking me to assist you with your bankruptcy.
I am now enclosing the documentation called Statement of Affairs and Debtor’s Petition.
………………………..
How Ironical
The Universe certainly has a sense of humour!
I now know why we are so aligned!
*****
Because here I am
15 years later on the exact same date.
Standing in the heart of the world’s most powerful financial district.
Wall Street.
At night.
Alone.
With the iconic Fearless Girl Statue by my side.
Facing a lit-up stars and stripes banner.
The New York Stock Exchange.
……………………
Wall Street is a long way from the western suburbs of Auckland, NZ where I grew up and further away from the challenges that lay ahead after I left at just 18 years of age.
One of those bigger challenges, just a few short years ago, was a bedridden and broken year that led to bankruptcy.
My husband and I found ourselves relying on welfare at 50 years of age, having lost our bricks and mortar business, our dream home and acreage, our sheep and chickens, investment property, and all assets, cash, and revenue streams before having to figure out a way to get back into the game.
Those times were tough, filled with uncertainty, struggle, and a lot of tears, but they also showed us what we are all capable of when our backs are against the wall.
And tonight, standing in front of this lit-up red, white, and blue symbol of the stereotypical white collar achievement in the financial capital of the world, where fortunes are won and lost, was another pinch-me moment of continuing manifestation.
And proof that when the Universe hands you any moment in time - you receive it with grace no matter how small it might be - because those small moments all lead you somewhere big.
Fearless Girl Statue, a symbol of courage and conviction, had originally stood toe to toe with the Charging Bull Statue further down the road but was moved to the front of the NYSE after a period of controversy. The sculptor of the Charging Bull claimed this feminine piece of work was “attacking” his bullish piece of work. Truth.
So yes, I am ever familiar with the reason behind Fearless Girl representing every woman who has ever dared to challenge the status quo, face obstacles head-on, and stand her ground with unwavering determination when slurred, bullied, ignored, underpaid, or compelled to stand up for her value and own her power.
But that is not what this post is about.
Because I am also reminded of how Fearless Girl symbolises the journey of transformation and the spirit of strength under pressure.
For me, this moment in time was a reminder that no matter where you start or when you start, whether it is from the lower socio economic suburbs you grew up in or the mid to later stages of life that you made your moves from, when you begin to know yourself and back yourself, the world becomes your oyster.
So, as I stood side-by-side with Fearless Girl,
I closed my eyes,
put my hands on my hips,
tilted my chin up in pride
and breathed.
I wanted to take this moment in.
I really wanted to make it mean something for me and to reflect on the ‘gains’ of what I had achieved and not the ‘gaps’ of what I hadn’t yet achieved.
And as I did…
I also reflected on the following principles:
Dissolve and Evolve
Bouncing back from tough times isn’t enough because the triggers may still be there. Find a way to completely dissolve old beliefs, questions, ways of thinking and meanings you put on things and use those challenges to evolve into a stronger, more innovative version of yourself
Self-Disruption Trumps Self-Destruction
There is power in intentional and proactive change; otherwise, you simply won’t take any of those steps forward – small or not – toward any of the results you want to achieve and potentially spiral into resentment and regret.
Circle of Champions
Surrounding yourself with supportive people is crucial, and my husband is at the top of my list. It took me a while to trust again, but having the right friends and champions who believed in me and kept me going has been critical for building my internal validation and strength. Find yours.
We are all on our own journey of transformation and evolution.
And when the choices we make are steeped in heart-felt courage and instinct-based conviction, we are well on our way.
What choices are you facing today that require a fearless stance?
If so, here are some practical steps to consider:
✨ Put it out there: Go woo-woo with me – tell the Universe specifically what you want, not what you don’t want!
🧬 Embrace Disruption: Don’t fear change; it’s evolution 101 and it’s exciting.
🫶🏻 Seek Support: Find someone who believes in you – even if it is just one person to begin with – let me know your crazy dream if you want [if you know me, you know I will get you!].
☝️ Level Up: Remember, it’s not about bouncing back – it’s about moving in another direction, beyond resilience!
As Always,
Be Brave, Bold, and Brilliant!
From Welfare to Wall Street ~ One Small Step at A Time!
I’m Bernadette – founder of the Decision-Led Revenue™ Operating System and The Revenue Leader of Influence™, where I work with CEOs and sales leaders to build a sales team they can rely on to think, make the call, tell the truth about pipeline and own the result.
If any of this resonated – or if you’re staring at a revenue problem that feels like it should have been solved by now – I’d love a conversation.
BOOK A NO-OBLIGATION 20-MINUTE CALL
And if you’d rather join the discussion, you can also join me on Substack. That’s where the Revenue Leader of Influence community is starting to have these conversations in real time.
