In this week’s news, we reveal how science has ended the body clock myth for many women, how to better manage your time, and a bit of info on the woman who led the Playboy empire through many successful years.

1.  Tick-tock goes the body clock

At times it can be difficult to be a young woman with business aspirations and a desire to have a family.  Often the pressure we face is not from within, but from others who insist on reminding us that we won’t be able to have children forever, or that graduating in our late 20s or, God forbid, our 30s might make it difficult for us to find employment in “prime baby-making years” or to find a suitable father before our body-clock goes off and we self-destruct.  Things may look tough for a lot of us now, however, a review of those body clock “facts” paint a slightly different picture.  As it happens, many of these facts are severely outdated, with recent studies showing far more positive results, revealing that the difference in pregnancy rates at age 28 versus 37 is only about 4 percentage points.  For more interesting facts on fertility myths and science, check out this article from Daily Life.

2. Making the most of your time

Continuing on the subject of women hoping to raise children while remaining successful in business, or women who are already attempting this mighty feat, let us turn our eyes to some great advice offered up by Amyli McDaniel, via She Owns It.  As a mother, writer and founder of the business Parent Entrepreneurs, McDaniel lends us all a hand by offering up some of her best time management advice in this article.  Whether or not you have children, advice like setting practical (and realistic!) daily goals is invaluable and an essential skill for anyone who works or studies or has a family or all three! For more detailed advice, and techniques to ensure these time management skills become ingrained in your routine, have a look at McDaniel’s ebook The Parent Entrepreneurs Opportunity Guide: Top 5 Ways Parents are Creating Family Financial Freedom.

3. Words of wisdom

It can be a little tough to find inspiration some days, but I find that a good way to re-ignite enthusiasm is to have a little read of some great quotes.  To save you the trouble of searching for some good quotes online, or having to purchase the Little Book of Calm, I found this page with a list of some great quotes from inspirational women, including this one:

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” – Audrey Hepburn

4. “A Single Man in Possession of a Good Fortune” may soon have Jane Austen in his wallet

Some interesting news came out of England this week, with rumour of a potential change to the ten-pound note.  The Bank of England is considering putting Jane Austen on the note, to represent British womanhood and influence.  However, is she the best choice?  English Professor John Mullan of University College in London, and the media blogger Susie Boniface, aka the Fleet Street Fox, battled it out in this article  suggesting the positive and negative points of putting Austen on the note.  Both put up strong arguments, but I can’t help but agree with Mullan in his argument for Austen, as an influential and renowned woman of influence deserving of a spot on the ten-pound note.  Read the article (and a few of the comments) and make up your own mind.

5. Playboy power

There is no denying that Playboy Enterprises is an empire that we all recognise, whether we associate it with the magazine, their online content, their fashion label or the one and only Hugh Hefner.  However, did you know that in 1988 Hugh’s daughter, Christie Hefner, got the company’s top job as Chairman and CEO?  It was under her guidance that they successfully launched their television business, their online content and their fashion label, which in her last year as CEO received 80% of its retail profit from women’s apparel and accessories.  Leading a brand that is seen as contentious in the eyes of many women is a difficult role to fill, especially while actively advocating for the advancement of women in work and politics.  Read up about Christie Hefner and how she faced these challenges here.

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