We recently connected with Rhonda Noordyk and have shared our conversation below.
Rhonda, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
As a young girl and even a young adult, I struggled with confidence. I knew true, authentic confidence was possible, but I didn’t know where to start. I had the aspiration and determination (aka stubbornness), but I was a hot mess!
For me, my confidence journey really started in my early 20s when I began my career in the financial industry. I admired people who were confident. They knew who they were and what value they brought to the world. And, I was still trying to find my way, but I was in the right place.
[excerpt below from my new journal: Bold Beginnings: A Journey of Divorce and Financial Confidence]
Early on, one of my mentors once said, “Rhonda, your income will never grow higher than your own self-esteem.” I mean, the nerve, right? I thought I was confident – at least on the outside. Initially, the statement it seemed harsh, but over the years, I have come to realize that statement was true. In fact, I have studied women’s relationship with money, and our financial empowerment and success is influenced by our confidence.
There is a formula for financial confidence. It is knowledge + experience = confidence. If you have knowledge without experience, it is theory. If you experience without knowledge, it is trial and error. But, if you have them both working together, you are on the right track to build your confidence.
My confidence journey reminds me of the process of creating a diamond. It starts with raw, organic elements (that was me!). Then with the right elements (people), the right temperature (situations) and the right pressure (challenges), the diamond is formed. The result is a strong, beautiful gem. I think managing our self talk to remind ourselves that we are like diamonds. It takes time, but we can learn to appreciate the process and the end result.
And the impact is often bigger than ourselves. The development of confidence has been so important, not only for me, but also for the women I serve. Many of them are just starting to rebuild their confidence, and I have the privilege of witnessing the transformation from a hidden gem to a polished and sparkling diamond.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I love being able to help women realize that they are financially smarter, more capable and can be more confident than they believed they could be.
Most of my work is tailored to helping women who are contemplating or going through divorce go from crisis to closure in six months or less. The transformation is incredible, and I can help women think differently about money, reduce their fear and increase their financial confidence.
After over a decade of working with divorcing women, I decided to launch a group experience that focuses on teaching women my signature BRIDGEtm method. This method has been tested and measured and proven to create a better financial outcome for women. I have helped move over $22 million into the hands of women that would have otherwise been left on the negotiating table.
I have used my experience and insight to release a new journal called Bold Beginnings: A Journey of Divorce and Financial Confidence.
This guided journal is designed for women in any stage of the divorce process.
Inside the pages, readers meet supportive avatars designed specifically to highlight different financial personalities, a QR code to a budget template, journal prompts, and reflective questions. The divorce process touches every aspect of life, and money is center stage in most divorces.
Bold Beginnings provides opportunities to help women rediscover their values and their worth. Ladies, it is time to pour some time back into yourself with the self-care sections, the positive affirmations, and coloring opportunities throughout the journal. If women are contemplating divorce or in the thick of it, this journal is for them!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, there have been three things that have most impacted my journey.
1) Being intentional about building my confidence by selecting the right people to invite into my inner circle and being vulnerable enough to ask for help or support when I need it
2) Having the determination to stick with my vision while adjusting the plan on how to get there
3) Having the faith to take risks (and bet on myself)
My advice to others is surround yourself with the right people, the right situations, and the right opportunities/challenges. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with a small, hand-selected group of people. This shouldn’t be a solo journey!
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
There are so many books that have played a role in my life, but I highlight a book in my journal. Here is a quick excerpt from my Bold Beginnings journal.
Could I really discover the secrets to building a successful career and life? It was then that I picked up a book called Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Huson. It was the first book of hers that I read, and I felt like she was speaking directly to me. I remember exactly where I was on that fall day. I was sitting in my car, waiting for my kids to come out from an after-school activity.
Barbara talked about taking risks and figuring them out later. I know it sounds crazy, right? She said, say yes to opportunities and then to find out what you need to do to make that happen. There are different types of risks, and I had to learn that while my body might respond to risks as triggers, they were not all the same. There were more risks than just the life-zapping risks I saw my dad take. Barbara talked about risks associated with positive, life-giving opportunities. I used this concept to motivate me to take on a job as a part-time college faculty member. I had never taught a college course before, but I said yes anyway. It was challenging to juggle having three children under five years old, but I was so grateful for the opportunity and a very supportive spouse. This was the beginning of a 10-year opportunity with the college to pour into non-traditional, adult students, develop curriculum, participate on committees, and give back. That first semester, I didn’t tell any of them that I was a new instructor until the very last day of the semester. And I didn’t fake it until I made it. I prepared. I showed up. I did what I knew how to do and that was sharing my knowledge, expertise, and passion with people. When I finally told them about the secret on the last day of the semester, they were all so surprised! That made me smile! That opportunity has paid dividends financially and experientially. I was able to tap into that experience when I developed and launched my signature BRIDGEtm program. And, to this day, I have kept in touch with Barbara Huson and personally thanked her for inspiring me to say yes, take action and move forward!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wfwcdivorce.com
- Instagram: @rhondanoordyk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhondanoordyk
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondanoordyk/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGfLw2VapTgx9DoI5H2Cjmw
- Other: Disrupting Divorce: Conversations for Women Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disrupting-divorce-conversations-for-women/id1368648405
Image Credits
Katie Soyka Photographer | Brand Educator elevatebrandphotography.com
