Yes, I said it, the G word...GUILT. The precise definition of guilt is "an emotion that occurs when a person believes that they have violated a moral standard that they themselves believe in." Unfortunately for women, or at least all the women I know, we hold ourselves to such high standards we spend much, too much, of our time feeling guilty.

The question I ask is guilty of what?

The word guilty always makes me think of my favorite TV show from the 1960s Dragnet where Detective Sergeant Joe Friday (Jack Webb) of the LAPD asked every woman he met, "just the facts ma'am" preparing himself for the onslaught of diatribe coming his way. Although, many of the women he interviewed weren't guilty of anything they certainly had no trouble going on and on about something and often put themselves right in the middle.

My question to all women in business and women entrepreneurs is, why do you (why do we) too often feel guilty?

It is no surprise that many studies have actually been done on this subject, not only to determine why the difference by gender, but also the serious consequences to the overwhelming stress caused by feelings of guilt. In other words, it isn't bad enough that women walk around all day with a sense of guilt, the research shows it is negatively affecting our health.

Women's health is where I draw the line! This is when the Wonder Woman in me needs to swoop down and save mere mortal women from themselves.

Realize, right here and now, no one can make you feel guilty unless you allow it. You have the power to choose not to accept guilt, not to own it, and not to feel it. Even the U.S. Government says you are innocent until proven guilty so what on earth are you thinking by accepting a verdict that no judge or jury has awarded you.

When women jeopardize their health they endanger their work, their business, their families and their future!

As a woman in business you have made commitments to an employer, a workplace, colleagues, customers and many others to accomplish tasks for a job that you have worked hard to prepare yourself for. It is your promise to yourself that you bring your best skills and talents to your work. When things don't go right, as they occasionally will, spending time feeling guilty only takes away from the time you have to correct mistakes which are what I call part of the human condition (to err is human - to forgive is divine).

If you are not willing to forgive yourself why should anyone else.

As women entrepreneurs you have made commitments to employees, investors (yourself and others), customers, vendors and others to lead a business that will be mutually beneficial to the company and the community. When things don't go right, as they occasionally will, spending time feeling guilty only takes away from the time you have to correct  mistakes which are what I call part of the human condition (to err is human - to forgive is divine). (Yes, I repeated this sentence on purpose from above).

#1 Remember - You can never be in two places at once. Be present wherever you are. Live in the moment.

#2 Remember - You are your own judge and jury. There is no guilt unless you accept it.

#3 Remember - "Yesterday is History, Tomorrow a Mystery, Today is a Gift, Thats why it's called the Present" - holding on to guilt is like living in the past. Tomorrow is the birth of a new day and birth is always innocent.

Let go of your guilt and allow that freedom to inspire your growth.