Cowgirl Smarts
It’s a state of mind, not a state of horse.
Ellen Reid Smith
Except for a few pubescent years when I fantasized about swimming with Mark Spitz, I can say full heartedly that my heroes have always been cowgirls. Not those modern, sequin-studded, Revlon-coated rodeo queens, but those magnificent cowgirls who settled the West in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. Gutsy, brave, and undaunted they set out to lasso more out of life. These cowgirls were more than boots and spurs. They were women with inner strength and trailblazing attitudes, women who lived life on their own terms.
“Please excuse the pants,” some cowgirls said as they unashamedly traded their shirtwaists for flannel and their sidesaddles for riding astride. They were initially starred at, poked fun of and some even banned from town. By choosing to assume lifestyles and jobs normally reserved exclusively for cowboys, and quietly proving their equality, these cowgirls unintentionally moved women from suffrage rallies to voting booths. They did it by burning their sidesaddles—not their bras. They are the Americana spirit that sets American women apart from any other nationality. Many live in awe of these cowgirls, but I yearn for their Cowgirl Smarts. Never met a CEO as impressive as these cowgirls—probably never will.
How do you get Cowgirl Smarts? Well, you can start by reading the stories of some exceptional cowgirls in my book, Cowgirl Smarts: How to Lasso More Out of Life.” Then approach life with the question, “What would a cowgirl do?” I’m not asking all you city slickers to become cowgirls—just think like one. Oh yeah, here’s a little secret—men like these stories too. Afterall, you don’t have to be female to lasso more out of life.
Below are a few Cowgirl Smart lessons from my book.
If you’d like to read a sample Cowgirl Smarts story from my book,
click here .
1. Sometimes you have to buck the norms to pursue your dreams
2. Adventure and Excitement Beat Housework
3. Be tough, but revel in your femininity
4. When life throws you to the ground, get back on the horse
5. Don’t let others belittle your achievements
6. Accept the nature of things
7. Work hard and look after other cowpokes
8. Never steal another cowgirl’s horse or thunder
9. Attack life like it’s a 1000 pound steer
10. Act on your beliefs rather than protesting for them
11. Use common sense, if you don’t, the cattle will knock it into you
12. Let the land rejuvenate your soul
13. Walk beside your pardner, not in front
14. When cow poking doesn’t pay, be resourceful
15. Embrace urban cowgirls
