Today's women entrepreneurs continue to be challenged by some of the stereotypes and myths that women in small business have been battling for generations.

First: your business idea has merit, but women don't start and grow large companies.

Second: at some point your business will take a back seat to your home or family.

Third: women tend to lack the ability to make decisions and this will hold you back from truly being successful.

Mantra # 1 - Believe It and You Can Achieve It. Just as this picture illustrates nothing is impossible when you give it your time, patience and best effort. I watched for hours on a beach in Cap Ferrat, France as a beach goer constructed rocks laying on the beach into these incredible structures. I was mesmerized by her concentration and determination to place rock upon rock, large rock on small, never wavering from her vision. This is the vision every women in business must have to succeed.

Mantra #2 - There Is No Try, Only Do. Yes, Yoda said it first in The Empire Strikes Back but I remind my woman business owner clients this every day. In business, as in life, the only way you can accomplish anything is to do it. Trying is a word with excuse built into it. Put this mantra on your computer - do it! Watch how quickly you realize you have been giving yourself permission to procrastinate. There is no procrastination in DO.

Mantra #3 - You Can't Fail If You Never Give Up. I have been in sales all my life and have always succeeded. When I am asked why my answer is - "because I never stop calling my prospect until they go out of business or die". Am I being too harsh or silly? Not at all. Much of sales is timing and if you aren't there when the timing is right for your customer to buy they WILL buy from someone else.

These three mantras are as important for men in business as they are for women. However, I know that women take advice better than most men so make a mental note of all three and copy the picture to your desktop. The next time you feel the obstacle is too great speak all 3 mantras over and over in your head and look at the rocks that prove anything is possible.

HIRE VICKI TO SPEAK AT YOUR NEXT EVENT!