Invest time to learn and understand your identity capital. It’s how you add value by being self-aware in who you are, and how you build a reputation in your personal and professional life.

In honor of International Women’s Day, we turned to a group that never ceases to inspire us, the Women of LLR, to share the best advice they have received. We asked: “what advice struck you and you live by today?” The results are both personal and professional, and come from friends, family, colleagues, books, podcasts and more.

On this day and every day, let’s use their insight as reminders to lean on, support and share experiences with each other. Happy International Women’s Day from the Women of LLR leadership team (on which, yes, 3 out of 5 of us are named Sarah).

Remind yourself daily that you are your own best advocate.

Say yes and mean it. Say no and mean it. Too often, we do the opposite to be people-pleasers and end up spending our time on the wrong things.

Get out from behind the computer and engage with your people. Don’t be so worried about being heads down doing work that you forget about the importance of being present for your team.

Focus on being productive instead of busy.

Work to learn, not to earn. Working to learn is much more fun, and often leads to a higher level of financial success further down the line. By expanding your skillset you’ll naturally become more valuable.

No singular event will ever be the “be all or end all.” It’s never as big of a deal as you think it is. Put every challenge into perspective and push forward.

Dress for the job you want. Not the job you have.

Check out the ‘Let Them’ Theory. Instead of trying to control and being disappointed by others’ behaviors, when you decide to ‘let them” do what they want, it gives you more control, emotional peace, and better relationships instead.

Wait to worry. Worrying, in many cases, is not a good use of energy. Scenario planning is a good thing, but don’t overwhelm yourself. In the end, it’s all going to be OK. And if it’s not OK, it’s probably not the end.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Don’t let yourself or others enable your self-pity for longer than a few minutes. Remind yourself not to spend too much time stewing in disappointment.

Ask as many questions as you can. Curiosity will grow you personally and hone your output effectively.

Early and often. You get one chance to make a first impression. Put your best foot forward and show who you are early and often. Don’t be afraid of failing early and often, either.

Don’t take shortcuts. You only hurt yourself. The short cut is not always the easiest path. Rather, it’s often the path that provides the most limitations.

Control the controllables. Do not be consumed by the things you can’t control.

Everyone makes mistakes. What you do after is what matters.

Invest time to learn and understand your identity capital. It’s how you add value by being self-aware in who you are, and how you build a reputation in your personal and professional life.

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.