A few weeks ago, my 20-year-old twin daughters decided to add a new challenge to their lives—one that has the potential to set them on a path to building extraordinary wealth and gaining the freedom of time to enjoy life on their own terms.
This challenge started off as a conversation about success, but the more we talked, the more excited they became, and voilà, a thought turned into a plan, and a plan turned into an actionable challenge.
So here’s the gist of the 500×500 Challenge. The 500×500 Challenge is a personal challenge to save and invest $500, 500 times. This challenge, however, is more than just saving a quarter-million dollars. This challenge is about empowerment—personal empowerment, financial security, and economic independence.
Too often, women find themselves struggling in the grip of toxic realities that force them to keep their heads down and accept less than what they are worth. Too many women are being asked to play by the rules and abide by standards and norms that are designed to “keep them in their place.”
These challenges women face often began in childhood as young girls. Girls are taught early in life to walk a tightrope of being beautiful and polite, and being assertive and competent. Demonstrating problem-solving skills and taking initiative are viewed as masculine traits. Unfortunately, repeated exposure to these stereotypes validates and perpetuates them, so much so that employers feel they can mistreat, marginalize and pay women less than men for doing the same work. The fact is, extreme economic and gender inequality is a threat to young girls and women’s rights.
Here’s another consideration. Although you might not be able to disrupt gender and economic inequality on a macro level, you can be proactive in your own personal and professional development. It is up to you to take ownership of your life because no one else is going to solve your problems for you.
By taking an enterprising approach to personal empowerment, financial security, and economic independence, you can transform your life and the lives of other young girls and women for the better. Join my daughters and women around the globe as they strive to create a more equitable world.
I love this post & totally agree with it! As women, we are taught early in life to be pretty, nice, and quiet while doing only what it takes to just get by when in actuality, we have the power to do whatever it is that we please. I made a vow to live my life on my own terms and I continuously encourage the women around me to do the same! Great idea with the 500 x 500 Challenge! Your daughters are beautiful by the way & they definitely share your intelligence.
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Makaila, I appreciate your kind words! Continue living and thriving as the phenomenal person you are!! 🙂
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I really enjoyed your daughters’ show!
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Thank you! I’ll be sure to convey your sentiments to them. 🙂
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Inspiring post!
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Thank you! 🙂
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So amazing! I can see where these ladies get their positivity!
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Thank you! 😊
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Thank you so much for this! Great read!
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Thank you, Meccala! 🙂
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What a great read. I love how a simple conversation blossomed into that awesome challenge. It is lovely to see young women like your daughters taking such control and paving the way for new possibilities.
I remember reading somewhere that girls were (still are) often shunned away from learning more (so called) masculine traits such as car maintenance and DIY and then when they grow older, they are sneered at for not knowing how to change their oil or put up a shelf.
I was lucky that my father supported my curiosity and so when I was lurking around his garage, would teach me how to maintain a car and how to rewire a plug and a hundred other tasks other girls were never taught.
We need to continue to empower women, especially the new generations coming up. 🙂
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Thank you, Ari! I appreciate your positivity. You were indeed lucky to have a supportive father. Continue being phenomenal and empowering others to live up to their potential. 🙂
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Great post! Plus i love the broadcast from your daughters. Great
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Catherine, thank you for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed my daughters’ show. 🙂
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