Woman to Watch :: Dian Griesel

Dian Griesel has spent over three decades helping companies and individuals unravel the tapestry of their respective “brand” identities. She has a kaleidoscope of talents including perception analysis, PR & strategic messaging, corporate/financial deal-structuring, health, and hypnotherapy. At the age of 56, Dian was propelled further into the world of creativity after being signed by Wilhelmina Models New York.

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Her work has not gone unnoticed. Over twenty international publications have named her a Top Creative, recognizing her pioneering embrace of long-form blogging that beckons a growing community of over 1.5 million monthly readers. Dian is also the author of fifteen well-regarded books that delve into business ideas and self-help. Read on to learn more about Dian Griesel’s story and accomplishments.

How did you get to where you are today?

I have a lot of curiosity — especially when it comes to people and how we perceive each other, events and circumstances. This has served me well because I’m always open to meeting new people and in turn, they often invite me into their circles.

What do you think has helped you the most with your success?

Being a bit of a chameleon has contributed to both my success and the fun along the journey.

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in order to achieve your goals?

The biggest challenge we all face is that not everyone has the same sense of urgency. If we believe in what we have to offer, we hope others will recognize this instantly! However, that is rarely how it works: Sometimes yes, mostly no. We have to keep plugging, pushing, shifting, shaping, re-envisioning, and refining our offers and plans.

What are you most proud of?

I’m most proud of the fact that I have been able to surround myself with a team of amazing people who have stuck with me through the ups and downs of business and life.

What are three pieces of advice you could give to our readers?

1. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Just figure out a way to move whatever you want to do forward every day.

2. Asking saves a lot of guesswork. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions for which you’d like answers. With those answers, you’ll get directions for proceeding.

3. Think before you speak or post: T: is your comment thoughtful? H: is it hurtful? I: is it an intelligent comment? N: is it a necessary comment? K: Is it kind?

How do you try to make an impact?

I show up every day and write a self-reflective blog post. When I started blogging daily, I never considered the impact or the fact that people would rely on me to post daily. However, I’ve now been told that I’m making a difference for many and they tell me “Take a vacation if you need one, but please don’t stop!” Even making a difference just for one person would keep me going. Knowing hundreds of thousands of people, possibly millions, read my thoughts, creates a big circular impact from my words, to others, and then back to me.

How do you reward yourself when you’ve reached a goal or after a hard day of work?

A good night’s sleep!

Give the gift of your presence. We all read about “having it all.” I’m not sure this is possible nor factual, but we might get lucky enough to create and get a lot of what we want. But to do this means we really have to be present in whatever moment we are in. That’s where the magic of it all is happening.

Paige Trendell

Paige Trendell is a high school intern at Sass Magazine. You can find her appreciating nature, crocheting, or reading a book. She hopes to go to college, major in journalism, and maybe even make it to the Washington Post!