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Women Entrepreneurs--Step into Your Power

Written by: Janis Pettit

Article Overview: Over and over I see women entrepreneurs who are multi-talented, brilliant, hard working, warm, loving, humorous and passionate. Often overwhelmed and unsure, they have been selling themselves short. What are they missing?

Women Entrepreneurs--Step into Your Power

This is for the Ladies. In her current big hit “Single Ladies”, Beyonce sings “if you like it then you better put a ring on it”. She’s advising single gals on what to tell their boyfriends (I guess you got that). I know this because I have a teenage daughter who keeps her boomer mom up to date. The tune is catchy and Beyonce is certainly talented.

As I listened to this song a number of times though, I realized there was a clear message that I’ve been trying to communicate to my women clients for some time. Over and over I see women entrepreneurs who are multi-talented, brilliant, hard working, warm, loving, humorous and passionate. Some come to me frustrated because they have not been reaching their potential or fulfilling their dreams of success and a better life. Often overwhelmed and unsure, they have been selling themselves short and not living the life of happiness and success they envisioned. Some even lose motivation and give up, or they push forward with grim determination even though the passion has run dry. They are settling for much less than they deserve and I see their confusion as to why.

I feel great compassion and understanding for these women because for some years I was one of them. No more. I woke up. It took years of inner work and determination, incredible women mentors and friends and maybe just learning from my mistakes. As were most women in my boomer generation, I was totally and unknowingly conditioned to believe that I needed to be a people pleaser and care taker and that I needed to put other’s needs and goals so ahead of my own that I didn’t even realize I was doing it. Where’s the balance in that?

As women we often give in, give up, give out, give, give and give until we’re running on empty. And then we wonder why we don’t have the time, energy or motivation to nurture and grow our business. So many of us say we want balance, but often balance is interpreted not as having time away from work for family life, but as finding a way to steal a bit of time away from family and other outside obligations for doing fulfilling work that we love.

As women we need to find our inner power to lead the life our heart is telling us to lead, which may not be the exact life your spouse, parents, children or friends are telling you to lead. Compromise may be necessary, but speaking of giving--you have a unique gift to give the world. You can share your talents and passion with the world only if you have the strength each day to ask yourself, “is this right for me, or am I following someone else’s agenda? Am I devoting the focused time I need to succeed? Am I setting big goals and going for them? If not, what am I afraid of? Who am I afraid of not pleasing?"

Marianne Williamson was right when she said: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do…... And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I’m letting my light shine. Wanna join me?

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Article Tags: better life, beyonce, boyfriends, care taker, confusion, finding a way, gals, great compassion, grim determination, happiness, having time, mentors, mom, motivation, passion, people pleaser, single ladies, teenage daughter, time energy, women entrepreneurs



Related Forum Posts
Women Entrepreneur Tips - Thank you LeoOliveros, I found #4 particularly true in my case: 4. The Enterprise Must Include the Power of Power Networks. As a conductor of your own enterprise, you can not see yourself as a one-woman-show. You must choose to utilize the power people in your life, by asking for help when you need it, and effectively delegating in order to capitalize on your strengths and that of your power network. When certain experts are not represented in your power network, you must actively seek advisors or mentors and develop a team of specialists, so the benefits are received by everyone involved in the power network - the true Power of Power Networks.
Re: History of Women in Business in the United States - Yes. Women have increasingly made positive economic contributions to society and their position is being recognized more and more as seen on the Forbes List of Executive Women. In general, women can be a bit more practical in their approach as entrepreneurs too.
A ton of Great Women - You might want to profile Teresa Cascioli of LakePort Brewery. She has an amazing story! I met her at at the celebratory luncheon for the Profit/Chatelaine Top 100 Women Business Owners. The Top 100 list is also a great resource for inspirational stories of Women Entrepreneurs.
Re: Are entrepreneur women more organized than men? - Women are generally more organised than men. They have good instincts more than men. Women are generally aggressive when it come to business. You don't want to mess up with them.
Re: Are entrepreneur women more organized than men? - The issue of women being more organized than men is true, start from you home, just see how messy the boys are. Women are also very cautious, unlike men who take any risk, a woman will analyze the risk first. Women are also go getter when it comes to business, once they make their mind, then they go for it.


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