Guest post by Anna Dworaczynska (learn more about Anna at the end of this post)

I am an avid reader of online edition of Forbes magazine, where I regularly read the Forbes Woman column. The column features everything from latest tips for women entrepreneurs to latest trends in management.  However, this weeks’ story, written by Heidi Brown, focuses on struggles and fight for basic rights that women experience every day in Iraq.

The article is based on extracts from Christina Asquith’s (an American journalist reporting from Baghdad) book, Sisters in War, which presents the story of the U.S. invasion through the experiences of four women and their hopes for more empowerment and basic freedom.

Christina’s story touched my heart. I realized the power women living in developed and advanced economies have — power which many of us may take for granted and don’t think of everyday, if at all. This led me to deeper reflection on my priorities.

To make matter worse, I wondered how many of us stop ourselves from reaching our potential?

How many of have make excuses to explain our failures? I know I have.

How many of us dream of building our own companies or pursuing top management jobs or simply establishing careers that will meet our needs?

Aren’t many of us failing at that because we are more concerned with outside pressure, may it be from our family or society?

Don’t we all sometimes follow a way that is widely and socially acceptable?

I know pursuing our desires requires courage and persistence, but I also firmly believe we are equipped with every tool we absolutely need to succeed.

About the Author

Anna Dworaczynska is a Polish freelance journalist and editor currently on a short term contract in Moscow, Russia teaching English. She can be reached at ania.dworaczynska@gmail.com.