Overworked, overextended, overstressed and underserved

Sound familiar? Results of a global survey
(conducted by the Boston Consulting Group) suggest that women are more
overworked, overextended, overstressed and undeserved than ever. In
fact, time demands are the number one challenge that women face in
their lives.

Key findings include:

• Women are responsible for a large percentage of global income,
  owning 40% of all U.S. business and controlling over $12 trillion
  dollars in consumer spending (globally).
• In the U.S., almost 71% of women in the workforce are mothers, and
  over half have children under the age of one. Yet, they do most of the
  work at home as well (88% - grocery shopping; 85% - meal preparation;
  84% laundry and cleaning; and 77%, household administration).
• 48% of women say that managing household finances is a major source
  of stress in their lives, while 81% are concerned about not having
  enough money for retirement.
• 47% say that time demands represent the "big stress in their
  lives," with 45% expressing that they don't have enough time for
  themselves.

One of the most disturbing finding deals with women's expectations
of themselves. In fact 44% say that they rarely or never feel powerful.
Hmmm, why is this?  Why is it that we feel powerless when we control
such a significant portion of the global economy and virtually run our
world, both inside and outside the home? And where is the true source
of a woman's power?

Survey results suggest that the source of happiness in women's lives
mostly relates to love, health, honesty and emotional well-being. From
this, one might surmise that the source of women's power lies within
their connections, candor and honesty, as well as the opportunity to
pursue these things freely. Indeed, when asked what they wanted most,
respondents said:

1. More love and connections, both intimate and with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors.
2. Freedom to pursue the path which will allow them to become fulfilled, happy and satisfied.
3. More balance in their lives.
4. Enough money to remove financial pressure.

We
live in a world where time is a commodity and where the individual is
always being pulled in a zillion directions. Self-image, especially as
we age, can be tough, especially when societal messages abound that we
are no longer "as beautiful as..."  In fact, in this survey, at least a quarter of women said that they rarely or never felt beautiful.

What gives? We are powerful, we are in control and regardless of age
or shape, we, as women, have an inner beauty that when realized,
reflects outward and resonates endlessly.

Life is stressful and it appears that as women, we are shouldering a
burden of extreme proportions. Not only should we be asking what we are
doing to create this paradigm but more importantly, what can we do to
change it.

What do you think?

[Cross posted on www.flashfree.wordpress.com]