Laura Contreras-Rowe has always had a motto: “Aim high”.

As a young Tejana living in a trailer, surrounded by gangs and drugs, Contreras-Rowe was inspired by golfer Nancy Lopez to strive for a better life. After building her successful real estate business, she felt a duty to give back to la comunidad and inspire Latinas across the U.S. to “succeed to astounding heights with courage and tenacity”. In fact, Contreras-Rowe wrote the book on it -- Aim High: Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic and Latina Women.

Today, the award-winning author zips around the country delivering a message of hope to women and business leaders facing challenges in their lives. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Las Fabulosas asked Laura to reflect on how far nuestras mujeres have come and offer some mottos we can use to persevere through difficulties.

Why Be Average?
“When I was on book tour, I spent time with great organizations that mentor elementary, middle and high school girls. Through these organizations and schools, I was able to spend time with ex-gang members, pregnant teens, homeless kids and kids that just wanted to hear a positive message to get them through the week. They are the future of our generation and they cannot be forgotten.”

Get Your Inner Latina On
“I have a friend who tells me: ‘Get your inner Latina on’. I always laugh when she says this, but it does put me into a thought process of: I can achieve anything with hard work and perseverance. I believe we all have the ability to look forward and never let our past define our future and what we have been called to do in the life.”

Photo: Corbis Images

These days, everyone is feeling the tighter economy in one way or another and curbing their spending habits. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the finer things of life.

“You can still treat yourself without going into debt,” says Migdalia Rivera, founder of the blog LatinaOnAMission.com, which offers tips for living chic on the cheap. “It’s all about making the most of free or inexpensive resources around you.” Here, Rivera shares some insights on living it up without spending a lot.

1. Be Friends with Your Money
   Before you spend it, build a good relationship with your money. “The first step to being financially secure is being financially smart,” says Rivera. “Educate yourself on how to save and get rid of debt.” Major banks occasionally hold free seminars on money management at local branches or online via webinars and webcasts. Inquire about them at your branch or check your bank’s website.

2. Have a Beauty-full Day
   Beauty schools, spas and salons often have days when they offer lower rates on services. “You can come across specials and deals like a mani/pedi and mini foot massage, all for about $30,” says Rivera. Check websites for promotions or stop by in person to enquire.

3. Soak in Some Culture
   “City museums have wonderful activities for all ages,” says Rivera. “Best of all, museum admissions are suggested -- meaning you can pay what you can afford.” Movie screenings are also great because you get to see the latest movie before it’s out and it’s free! Search online for local film previews.

Photo: Corbis Images

For most of us, success means finding our true calling, living the reality of what we always dreamed. But finding that calling isn’t always a clear path. Experts say that true happiness comes more from finding your “voice,” the unique way in which you express your values and desires. Discovering your own process is rarely streamlined and can be awkward at times. Life coach Natalie Gahrmann shares how a woman can stay focused and move ahead in her goals -- no matter what challenges may arise.

1. Break the goal down.
Create an action plan that emphasizes the smallest steps toward achieving your goal. “Get a calendar and plan a series of projects that will take you in the direction you want to go,” says Gahrmann. “But be realistic about what can really be accomplished in your busy life.”

2. Write your goals down and state them out loud.
Written goals are more concrete and achievable. Reading them aloud will not only make you more excited and committed as you listen to yourself, but also give you clues toward the life you really want and the things you want to accomplish.

3. Maintain a positive attitude.
Drawing strength from your past successes is vital to staying motivated and feeling successful. Focus on your accomplishments, but don’t be afraid to assess your past mistakes. “Your failures are a learning opportunity,” says Gahrmann. But don’t dwell on them. Feeling successful is more about how you think than what you achieve.

To find career success, experts say we must first navigate the winds of controversy that blow through an office. Helen Torres, executive director and CEO of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), a California advocacy and education organization dedicated to developing Latina leaders, shares time-tested tips that help you keep the harmonious environment where your talents -- not your tensions -- can flourish.

1. Maintain a professional attitude. Small offices tend to become informal settings. “Be consistent about things you can easily control, such as greeting your colleagues every morning, dressing appropriately and meeting deadlines,” says Torres. “You may become friends, but deadlines are still there at the end of the day.”

2. Be clear about your job description. “Office output runs smoothly when each person knows the specific tasks they have to complete,” says Torres. It’s helpful to check in with your supervisor to review new and old duties he or she may want to delegate. Otherwise, confusing scenarios and competition may rise from colleagues duplicating each other’s work.

3. Be a semi-Luddite. We’re not suggesting that you thrash your office computers. But do maintain a human level of interpersonal communication. As workers increasingly rely on email and instant messaging to communicate, the opportunities for misunderstanding also rise. “People attach emotions to emails, so check in to make sure that person understands what you are saying,” says Torres.

4. Be a team player. Nothing brings down office morale like critical remarks about a coworker can. Keep the work environment a gossip-free zone by politely recusing yourself from a toxic conversation. “One person can help set a positive tone.”

Asking for a promotion can be difficult in a recovering economy. But if you’re skilled at what you do, consider persuading the powers-that-be that you’re ready for your next challenge with these nine work secrets.

1. Speak directly with your boss about your career ambitions. “Working late and putting in the extra efforts in hopes of being rewarded rarely yields desired results,” says Natalie Gahrmann, a professional coach and author. “It’s a passive approach.”

2. Ask for specific things you need to do to earn an opportunity.

3. Find a mentor or peer to help you become visible. “An advocate in a higher rank can pull you in the direction you want,” says Gahrmann.

4. Be a leader. Help your co-workers with work that’s relevant to the position you want. “It’s an opportunity to practice the skills, abilities and potential you want to develop,” says Gahrmann

5. Toot your own horn. “Creating a strong personal brand helps others notice your accomplishments and contributions.”

6. Ask for feedback and accept constructive criticism.

7. Be a team player. “It’s a great way to earn people’s trust.” Never sabotage or disparage others.

8. Dress and act as if you already have the position you want, even if you have to splurge on a few executive-quality tacones. It’s worth it!

9. “Don’t be irreplaceable,” says Gahrmann. Instead, have a succession plan in place. Keep a list of associates who can replace you, and make a training plan for a quick and smooth transition.