Women in America continue to start twice as many businesses each year than their male counterparts. As new entrepreneurs, they decide to do it their way and combine their experience with their skills and launch, not only a business but, an adventure.

As a women's business coach, it is often my job to encourage risk taking as much as possible as it is only when we reach for the sky that we see what is possible. But with this risk taking comes a realization that as women, we especially require a more balanced approach to our life. The old adage - you can't have it all - or at least not all at the same time - is inbred in woman's psyches. In other words, women naturally are more likely than men to seek a balance in the eight areas of their life (indicated in the picture): mental, social, spiritual, physicial, family, professional, financial, and community. And, when these things are dramatically out of balance, the woman entrepreneur feels stuck.

"Stuck" is a word I hear all the time from my clients. Business may be good, but the women business owner feels stuck, confused as to how to break through what seems like a fog. In fact, the feeling of confusion is simply a lack of balance.

So, why do women entrepreneurs experience this sensation of being stuck more often than men? I believe it is because women are nurtured to seek out the diversities in their personalities more than men. For example, it is not uncommon for a businesswoman/entrepreneur to be asked in an interview about her family, physicial activity, and social/spiritual network. These topics, except for physical, are rarely asked of male executives/entrepreneurs. It is as if the male entrepreneur is expected to live and breathe his business whereas the female entrepreneur is presumed to spend time with many others facets of her life.

The fact is many male entrepreneurs also desire more balance in their life. However, it is not as likely to be position on them from outside forces as it is on women.

Starting a business requires a full time commitment. For some that may mean 16 hours a day seven days a week for months or years. For others, launching a company may need a more balanced approach in order to incorporate the 8 areas of life that allow one to feel whole.

We all know people who live for their business and will say out loud that their success provides them a feeling of being complete. But, most of us have an emotional need that requires us to have some balance in order to feel comfortable.

So, the next time you feel "stuck" in your business, ask yourself,

"Is this reaction really about the business?" "or about me?"

"Am I feeding myself in the other areas in my life that make me who I am?"

"Am I getting enough rest, enough physical and spiritual activity, and do I feel part of something else - a community and/or a family?"

"Am I taking care of myself as well as the business - financially and mentally?"

If you can answer NO to any one of these questions -- YOU ARE STUCK in your life, not in your business.

I believe as women entrepreneurs we MUST commit ourselves to building a successful business - but we can't do that if we do not also commit time to feeling whole. The first step to that end is the awareness that you are not your business and that what is good for the business is not necessarily good for you.

Start today to explore the eight areas of your full life that make up who you are. Learn to incorporate each in whatever small way into your busy life.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”  Maya Angelou