Since the day you were born someone -- your mom, your dad, your teacher, your boyfriend, your husband, your child, your boss, your friend, your coach, and Oprah has been telling you what you should do. Is it any wonder that you haven't had a chance to listen to or develop your own voice?

Making the decision to become an entrepreneur means developing your inner voice so that you can deflect the well-meaning shoulds coming your way. Women entrepreneurs are particularly susceptible to the barrage of good advice that they "should" follow.

For example, women entrepreneurs should:

- focus on work/life balance

- do more networking

- ask for the business

- write a business plan

- go global

- start small

- think big

- learn how to communicate value

- play like a man

- build a team of advisers

- incorporate

- focus on the bottom line

- get a mentor

- be a role model

- be a visionary

- lead by example

etc. etc. the list is endless. The fact is that there are no "shoulds" on thist list that wouldn't be on a list for male entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs, like their male counterparts, have made the decision to be their own boss and in doing so no longer need to listen to those you want to SHOULD ON them.

If you are a woman entrepreneur and have a coach or adviser that spends time telling you you SHOULD - please tell them you won't SHOULD ON them if they don't SHOULD ON you.