As a business coach working with women entrepreneurs I listen intently to the day to day stresses and workplace situations that make every entrepreneur want to scream...."I'm mad as HELL and I'm not going to take this anymore" ....and then moments later "I love doing what I do!"
This bipolar behavior, although not clinically diagnoseable, is something I can easily relate with as I too love doing the work I do....no matter how crazy it (or (s)he) might make me feel from time to time.
As women entrepreneurs we have, more than likely, been told that we must make choices with how we plan our life...school, work, family, career, community service, physical activity...and not necessarily whether or not we can reach for it all..BUT definitely NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
Yet, the women entrepreneurs I know do it all and they don't apologize for wanting to raise the bar higher.
What women are learning in the 21st century is that our happiness is, and always had been, in our own hands. The people we choose to keep and bring into our life - family, loved ones, friends, employees, business acquaintances - won't make us happy. We are responsible for our own happiness and the choices we make define it.
We all know people who seem determined to make choices that bring them unhappiness and they are rarely satisfied until they have shared their misery with all those around them. I've learned to expel these people from my life. Whether they are friends, family, clients or vendors, if their desire is to spread gloom and doom, I invite them to communicate it elsewhere.
As we enter the time of year when it is encouraged to declare our gratitude for the great gifts we have been provided, I want to share my gratitude for the amazing, inspirational and always entertaining clients that I am happy to work with. Women, and some men entrepreneurs, in the the following industries: engineering, retail, construction, legal, health care, business services, insurance, coaching, social media, organizations, media, promotion, and newspapers. Entrepreneurs with businesses in the startup, growth and exit phase.
Every day is an adventure and an opportunity to learn, grow and be part of something wonderful that will make a difference in the world. Every individual I have the good fortune to work with reminds me that as human beings we are so much better together than we are apart.
I believe the 21st century will be the period of history when women thoughtleaders around the world will make a difference to the global economy and peace. Our leadership is needed and I am grateful to be living in a time when diversity is respected more as a path to a better world.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” Ralph Waldo Emerson