and professionally found lead us to feel isolated and lonely the more successful we become: ■ Lack of support by administration ■ Lack of support by other women (everything from indifference to sabotage) ■ Inability to ask for what we need or want ■ Feeling that one must take what is given to them (finances, team, working conditions, etc.) ■ Patriarchal biases, assumptions, and expectations (yes, still, of course) ■ Feeling that being vulnerable is weak ■ Poor communication skills ■ Lack of peer groups with similar status ■ Not taking the time to care for oneself ■ Lack of creativity and self-expression There are many other reasons for sure, and I’m sure that you can find some of your own experiences in the above list. Where we, as women, stand to powerfully change the paradigm of loneliness is not in the continued analysis of the why, however. As with all things, power is in the present. The question must shift from Why to How do we shift the paradigm? It’s been offered by one recent study that the answer is in community and mentorship. Both are not only wonderful ideas but will, if effectively implemented, do wonders for addressing the lack of support that many women feel when it comes not only to their careers but navigating their personal lives as powerful, successful women as well. And, I think we can do even better. We are the cure for what ails us. Let us not forget who we are. In fact, it is imperative that we remember who and what we are, both individually and collectively. For those of us who have been operating from a linear, masculine mindset, who have relied on our intellect and our relentless forward drive to get us wherever we desire to go, well, unfortunately, it will not be those attributes that will be useful in this endeavor. We cannot solve the problem with the same mind that created it, in fact, we must actually get out of our heads altogether. And believe me, as a very cerebral, scientific, academically oriented person I know that is no small task. The key lies in the depths of our feminine wisdom. It lies in our own understanding of who we are, and a shift in identity away from what we do as a career toward who we are as a unique being, an individual soul with longings and callings and gifts to enjoy and share. It is a fundamental change from how do I get mine and the belief that success for someone else means that less is available for me. We must cancel the cancel culture and see our female counterparts as extensions of ourselves, despite any perceived differences. Honestly, we must stop being our own worst enemies. The truth is that the Universe and all its goodness are infinite. Success for one of us means more goodness for all of us, truly. And most importantly, we must stop looking outside of ourselves for validation, permission, love, peace, joy, and all of the countless ways we try to fill the voids in our lives. Because the very real truth is that no one is coming to save you, or me, or any of us. Lest we forget that we, as powerful, uber-successful women are master creators, allow me to remind you. We can create something new, where nothing previously existed, from nothing— that’s how powerful we are. That is our precedent. We can do this. This is why I created LAVISH™, a proprietary framework that takes highly successful women from a life of success to a life of true significance. After years of struggling with my own insecurities and frustrations as a powerful woman in a man’s world, and then working with other women in the same situation, I began to see and home in on the areas that, once mastered, made a transformational difference. The kind of difference that is life changing. The unique principles of a truly LAVISH life, once embodied, open life to unlimited possibility as we understand that the epicenter of our power, creativity, and love lies deep within. Yes, we are the cure, and it’s an inside job. Living lavishly means so much more than success and opulence; for those of us who have reached those heights, we know those things don’t bring us joy and fulfillment. We have a responsibility in this paradigm of loneliness. LAVISH™ is an enlightened kind of feminism. Yes, we stand on the shoulders of those pioneers that came before us, and if we want a quantum leap in this old story, we’ve got to show up for ourselves in a more expansive, conscious way. The really beautiful part though, is that we already have access to everything we need to begin with, if we’re willing to. For those of us who hear the call and feel the pull from deep inside, it’s time to create and live a new paradigm. The ripple effect is the invitation and the permission we need to start a movement. A movement of women living truly lavish lives and in the knowing of exactly what that means, unconditionally, unapologetically, fully. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. In this new paradigm, it’s no longer lonely at the top. I invite you to join us. DR. ERIN MARTIN is a medical doctor, osteopath, Ayurvedic practitioner, master spiritual psychology practitioner, metaphysician, mystic, mentor and coach, wife, and mother of three. A high achiever, Dr. Martin became a leading voice in the healthcare industry and starred in the Emmy-award nominated film “Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare.” Now she is turning her attention to her proprietary LAVISH method™, which is holistic, deep, spiritual, profound, and healing. To learn more, visit www.thelavishgroup.com. enterprising Women 79
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