Reading Reflection 1

I chose to read Miracles Happen by Mary Kay Ash for the first class reading.

1. I think what surprised me the most about Mary Kay Ash's story is how committed she remained to her religion. I think we all need something empowering and motivating us, whether it be religion or something else, and I find it inspiring that she was able to become such as successful business woman while staying true to her values. I admire that she lived her life following role models such as Jackie Kennedy, and tried to become someone others could model themselves after. I suppose the quality I least admire is her encouragement to hide your feelings and put on a happy face no matter the circumstances. I think this can be a dangerous way to live, and encouraging perfection from others by putting on a facade can lead to despair and emotions of dissatisfaction. Mary Kay Ash had plenty of experience with adversity on her road to success. Her first marriage ended in divorce when he began seeing another woman, and shortly before opening her business, her second husband passed away. She also spent much of her life caring for family members. This had to have been challenging with her strong value of family, yet she was able to persevere in her career.
2. I think positivity and perseverance are Mary Kay Ash's greatest competencies. She didn't back down in the face of adversity, allowing her faith to guide her through. She also emphasized the importance of joy and spreading happiness. Organization was also one of her strengths. She stressed that we should plan our daily lives in the way we plan our vacations, leading to higher productivity.
3. One thing that confused me about the book is Mary Kay Ash's decision to use pink Cadillacs as bonuses for her sales representatives. Iconic as it may be, I wonder if a different type of reward may have been a more appealing incentive.
4. One question I would ask Mary Kay Ash is "What did you find more challenging in entrepreneurship: being a woman or sticking firm to your values?" Another question I would ask would be "What aspect of your career did you find the most fulfilling, and is there anything about it you would change?"
5. I think, according to Mary Kay Ash, hard work means putting others above yourself. She fought for her family, God, and women around the world in everything she did. She made an impact larger than herself, while also boosting herself up as a successful career woman. I agree that this is a definition of hard work to some, although others may argue that putting her career above all else would have been the right way to do things. I think Mary Kay Ash did everything in her power to live the life she wanted, and that is what I find most inspiring about her story.