Eve Cortes

Let me ask you something: What does the life you truly want look like?

Not just your next career move or the goals you want to hit this quarter. I’m asking about something deeper:

Are you living a life that feels whole?
Are you leading in a way that honors all parts of who you are—your relationships, your health, your finances, your purpose, and your soul?

For so many of the women I coach—managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs—this question stops them in their tracks. They’re busy leading teams, building businesses, managing families, and hitting targets. But when we really dig deep, they admit they’ve rarely paused to ask:

Am I building a life that aligns with what really matters to me?

It’s so easy to get caught up in the doing—the never-ending cycle of meeting expectations, delivering results, and keeping everything moving. But in that rush, we forget to ask ourselves:

Does this life feel like mine?
Does it reflect my true priorities and values?

Last week, I talked about confidence. But confidence without clarity can feel like you’re running a race without knowing where the finish line is.

Confidence is the vehicle. Vision is the map. Without a vision, even the greatest accomplishments can feel empty.

That’s why this week, I want to go deeper. Let’s talk about creating a vision that’s bigger than just your work. A vision that reflects every part of your life and allows you to lead with clarity, balance, and purpose.

What Is a Vision for a Person?

A personal vision is a clear and inspiring picture of what you want your life to look and feel like. It’s not just about achieving specific goals—it’s about creating a life that reflects your deepest values, priorities, and desires.

Vision goes beyond the surface. It’s not just about “getting the promotion,” “scaling your business,” or “having it all.” It’s about connecting with what truly matters to you in every dimension of your life—your relationships, health, finances, career, spirituality, and joy.

Dr. Clayton Christensen, in his groundbreaking Harvard Business Review article “How Will You Measure Your Life?”, explains that without a clear vision, we risk chasing success in ways that don’t actually fulfill us. Vision provides a framework to ensure the life you’re building feels meaningful and aligned—not just busy.

Vision isn’t a one-time exercise or a five-year plan. It’s an ongoing practice of aligning your daily life with your core values and long-term purpose.

What Opened My Eyes About Vision This Weekend

This past Saturday, I attended a vision board workshop representing the New York Africa Chamber of Commerce (NYACC) and supporting the phenomenal Busie Matsiko-Andan, Global Strategist, Board Trustee at Berkeley College, and President of NYACC.

The event wasn’t just inspiring—it was grounding. Women and men from all walks of life came together to imagine their futures. The room was filled with energy: magazines, scissors, glue sticks, blank boards, and people sharing dreams as they pieced their visions together.

But this wasn’t about cutting out pretty pictures or setting vague goals. It was about asking real questions:

What do I want my life to feel like?
Am I giving myself permission to imagine a life that’s bigger than the grind?

As I watched the attendees create their vision boards, it reinforced something I always teach: Vision isn’t about compartmentalizing your life into categories like “work” and “personal.” It’s about creating alignment between all parts of who you are.

When your health is neglected, your leadership suffers. When your relationships are struggling, it’s hard to show up fully at work. And when you lose sight of your purpose, even your biggest achievements can feel hollow.

This workshop reminded me of something I share with my clients all the time: You can’t lead a team, a business, or even a family if you’re not leading yourself with clarity.

Why Vision Has to Go Beyond Your Career

We live in a culture that measures success by what we achieve. Promotions, revenue, titles, or the next big goal—it’s easy to define our worth by these external metrics.

But what happens when you reach those milestones, and they still don’t feel like enough? What happens when your relationships, health, or joy are sacrificed in the process?

At the workshop, I saw women and men placing images on their boards that reflected something deeper than professional goals. There were pictures of family dinners, words like “peace” and “balance,” images of travel, self-care, and connection.

It was a powerful reminder that true success isn’t just about what you do. It’s about how you feel and how you live.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

– Maya Angelou

What Happens When You Have a Vision

When you create a vision that reflects every part of your life—not just your work—it changes everything:

You gain clarity. Vision gives you a clear sense of direction, so you’re not just busy—you’re intentional.
You prioritize what matters most. It helps you say “yes” to the right opportunities and “no” to what doesn’t serve you.
You lead with purpose. When you’re aligned with your vision, your leadership inspires others to do the same.

Understanding your “why” is a core part of creating a vision. Simon Sinek said it best: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” When you’re clear on your purpose, your vision becomes the lens through which every decision is made.

Having a vision doesn’t mean you’ll have it all figured out overnight. But it gives you the framework to make decisions that align with the life you truly want.

This Is Your Beginning

This is where it starts—not with a perfect plan, but with the intentional choice to create clarity.

A personal vision is a roadmap. It’s your guide to creating a life that reflects what truly matters to you—not just your goals, but the feelings and purpose behind them.

Here’s your roadmap to create your vision:

Write Your Vision Statement. Picture your ideal life. Write a clear statement that describes what it looks and feels like. For example:
I live a life of balance and purpose where I prioritize meaningful work, joyful relationships, physical health, and personal growth.
Define Your Core Values. Identify 3-5 values that are non-negotiable for you. These could be family, freedom, health, creativity, or impact.
Clarify What Needs to Shift. What feels misaligned right now? Where are you saying “yes” to things that pull you away from your vision?
Create a Daily Practice. Align your habits with your vision. For example, if your vision includes better health, commit to small changes like a daily walk or meal planning.
Revisit and Adjust. Your vision will grow as you do. Commit to revisiting it regularly to ensure it still feels aligned and inspiring.

Your vision isn’t a one-time exercise. It’s a living, breathing part of who you are.

If this resonates with you—if you’re ready to create a vision that feels alive in every part of your life—I’d love to support, you.

Schedule your Clarity Session today

Book NOW

and let’s create something extraordinary together

Your beginning starts now. Your vision is waiting. Let’s bring it to life.

OXO,
Eve
HR Consultant | Leadership Coach | Helping Businesswomen enhance leadership skills to lead with Clarity, Confidence and Balance so they can create a thriving career and fulfilling life

Have you ever walked into a room, ready to share an idea, only to feel the words get stuck in your throat as your mind screams: What if I mess this up? Or maybe you’ve looked around and thought, Everyone else has it together—what’s wrong with me?

You’re not alone. And if no one’s told you this yet, let me be the first to say it: NOTHING IS WRONG WITH YOU.

As women, we carry so much—careers, families, relationships, caregiving responsibilities, and the endless expectations of being “everything to everyone.” But in the corporate world, one of the biggest challenges we face is being seen and heard.

Too often, we’re in rooms where people ONLY HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR, or our work is questioned because of a male counterpart’s misinterpretation. Why do women so often have to PROVE OURSELVES over and over again, even when our ideas and work are thoughtful, prepared, and impactful?

Moments like these can shake our confidence to its core. We begin to wonder: Did I say the wrong thing? Am I not good enough? Am I smart enough? Do I belong here?

I’ve been there. Growing up, I was an extremely SHY CHILD who wanted nothing more than to be INVISIBLE. English was my second language, and every time I opened my mouth, I feared being misunderstood or dismissed. That fear of being “less than” stayed with me for years, leaving me hesitant to speak up or take up space.

Later, as I built a career with 20 years of HR experience and became a certified leadership coach, I thought those fears would fade—but they didn’t. I still encountered moments where I felt like an outsider, doubting my place at the table. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with my career only made it harder to believe I could handle it all. Anxiety and self-doubt were constant companions.

But life has taught me something powerful: Confidence isn’t about being fearless. It’s not about having all the answers or getting it right all the time. It’s about SHOWING UP—messy, imperfect, and human—and still believing, I HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE HERE.

If you’ve ever felt like confidence is out of reach, I want you to know this: YOU ARE NOT BROKEN, AND YOU DON’T NEED FIXING. You’re enough exactly as you are. Confidence is a skill—a practice—and with the right tools, strategies, and mindset shifts, you can step into your power.

Here are seven strategies that have transformed my confidence—and the confidence of the women I’ve coached. My hope is that they resonate with you and remind you that bold, unapologetic confidence is something you can cultivate, one step at a time.

1. Stop Waiting for Permission to Step Forward

How many times have you held yourself back, waiting for a sign that it’s your time to shine? Maybe you’ve thought, When I get that certification, I’ll feel ready, or Once my boss praises me, I’ll know I’m good enough.

Here’s my lesson learned: WAITING FOR PERMISSION IS A TRAP. It keeps us playing small when we’re meant to TAKE UP SPACE.

Too often, women look for external validation to feel confident—whether it’s approval from a manager, acknowledgment from a peer, or recognition for our ideas. But TRUE CONFIDENCE comes when we stop looking outward and start trusting ourselves.

The next time you find yourself holding back, ask: Who am I waiting for? Then TAKE THE STEP FORWARD ANYWAY.

“Confidence isn’t something you’re given—it’s something you grant yourself by taking action before you feel ready.”

2. Confidence Doesn’t Mean Fearless—It Means Taking Action Anyway

There’s a myth that confident women don’t feel fear. But in reality, confidence isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the willingness to ACT DESPITE IT.

I’ll never forget the first time I had to present to senior leadership. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, and my mind was screaming, What if I mess up? I wanted to retreat, but instead, I took a deep breath, walked into that room, and spoke.

Was it perfect? No. But I did it. And in doing so, I proved to myself that I could.

ACTION BUILDS CONFIDENCE, not the other way around. The more you step into the discomfort, the more capable you’ll feel.

“Confidence isn’t about being fearless—it’s about finding the courage to take the next step, even when fear is present.”

3. Say “No” Without Guilt

For years, I struggled with boundaries. I thought saying no would make me seem selfish or unhelpful, so I said yes to everything—extra work, endless favors, even things that didn’t align with my goals.

Here’s my lesson learned: EVERY TIME YOU SAY YES TO SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T SERVE YOU, YOU’RE SAYING NO TO YOURSELF.

As women, we’re often taught that our value lies in how much we give to others. But TRUE CONFIDENCE grows when you start VALUING YOURSELF—your time, your energy, and your priorities.

The next time someone asks you to take on something that feels out of alignment, practice saying no. Not apologetically, but with CLARITY AND CERTAINTY. And yes, you may lose friends or even relationships along the way—but that’s okay. Because you’re choosing YOU.

Every time you set a boundary, you reinforce your worth.

4. Stop Comparing Your Behind-the-Scenes to Someone Else’s Highlight Reel

Social media has made it easier than ever to feel “less than.” We scroll through perfectly curated photos and think, She’s so much more successful, more confident, more put together—why can’t I be like that?

But here’s the reality: YOU’RE COMPARING YOUR BEHIND-THE-SCENES TO SOMEONE ELSE’S HIGHLIGHT REEL. You don’t see the self-doubt, the sleepless nights, or the failures behind their success.

The only person you should compare yourself to is the version of you from yesterday. Ask yourself: What’s one thing I’ve done today that I’m proud of? Celebrate that.

“The woman you are becoming will cost you people, relationships, and comfort. Choose her over everything.” – Unknown

5. Build Your Confidence Bank with Evidence

When self-doubt whispers, You’re not good enough, it’s easy to believe it—unless you have proof to the contrary. That’s where a “confidence bank” comes in.

Start keeping a record of your wins—big or small. Maybe it’s an email from a colleague thanking you for your help, or a time you pushed through fear and succeeded. WRITE IT DOWN, save it in a folder, and revisit it whenever you need a reminder of your capabilities.

Confidence isn’t just a feeling—it’s EVIDENCE that you’re capable, even on the hard days.

Tip: Start a Brag Folder. Save it, revisit it, and use it as a tool to remind yourself of your value whenever you need to.

6. Invest in Yourself

Confident women know their worth—and they invest in it. Whether it’s carving out time for self-care, hiring a coach, or attending a workshop, they prioritize their growth because THEY KNOW IT PAYS OFF.

For me, investing in myself has been life-changing. Whether it’s been through therapy, mindfulness, or professional development, each step has helped me feel STRONGER, MORE ALIGNED, and MORE CONFIDENT.

Ask yourself: What’s one way I can invest in myself today?

7. End with Power: Use Your Body to Build Confidence

Let’s finish with one of the simplest, yet most powerful, strategies for building confidence: HOW YOU CARRY YOURSELF.

Research by Harvard professor Amy Cuddy shows that standing in a power pose for just two minutes—feet planted firmly, hands on your hips, and chin slightly raised—can increase your sense of confidence.

But this isn’t just about the pose. It’s about the message you send to yourself: I BELONG HERE. I AM CAPABLE. I AM ENOUGH.

The next time you’re heading into a big moment, find a private space, STRIKE A POWER POSE, and remind yourself: I’ve got this. You might be surprised by how it changes the way you feel.

Confidence isn’t a destination—it’s a practice. It’s built one moment, one choice, one courageous step at a time.

You don’t need to be fearless or perfect to be confident. You just need to keep showing up as your authentic self, knowing that YOU ARE WORTHY OF EVERY SPACE YOU STEP INTO.

Take one strategy from this list, and try it today. Step boldly forward—because you already have everything you need to succeed.

“Confidence is the quiet decision to show up, even when the odds—or your doubts—are stacked against you.”

Let’s connect! Let’s chat about your goals, your challenges, and how you can build the confidence you need to create the life you want. No strings attached—just a space for us to connect, woman to woman, and support each other.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s build a community of women who uplift, empower, and inspire each other to take bold steps forward.

Schedule your coffee chat with me

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I can’t wait to meet you!

Love,

Eve

All posts by : Eve Cortes

Designing a Vision That Feeds Every Part of Your Life