Did You Know?

Having a successful business is no easy task; but, it is still a great time to open a woman-owned business. The amount of research you do before you start your business will determine how many business pitfalls you avoid.

The five most common women-owned business pitfalls are:

1. Marketing
2. Time Management
3. Pricing
4. Networking
5. Clients (getting and retaining)
   

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Why Women Are So Vulnerable To Stress!

While it is true that men may face more immediate life-threatening occupational hazards, women appear more vulnerable to stress-induced illnesses for a variety of reasons. First: they are socialized to being caretakers, and as such they almost automatically take on responsibilities that men might not even consider. This alone adds to the stress load they carry. Second: women as a whole are less likely to be in positions of power and are not as able to control what's going on in their environment as most men. If you can't say no, the stress you feel can be doubly disastrous because you don't see any escape. The less power you have over the circumstances of your everyday existence, the heavier the stress load.

It may be obvious that what complicates a woman's stress is work. Men who are stretched thin at their work places often go home to relax. Women, on the other hand, go home and keep on working. In spite of the increasing number of women with careers and jobs, traditional roles in their homes still take precedence for many women. They can expect to be in charge of everything from childcare to laundry, food preparation, social calendars, and runny noses. Delegating these duties to others in their household helps, but in the long run most women are still in charge. Given this situation, their minds as well as their bodies work overtime. When they become angry about too much to do in too little time with too little help, the anger only adds to their overstressed physical condition. Even women who sense their own need to slow down are programmed toward over-commitment because they feel guilty about not being able to be everything to everyone in their lives. Time spent alone or nurturing their own mental and physical well-being might be construed as selfish, so they push even harder on all fronts - home, work, and social.

Tips for Changing your Behavior:

• Allow yourself regular leisure time
• Set goals for yourself
• Insist on help with regular chores
• Stop running to answer every request
• Learn how to say "NO"
• Breathe deeply/Listen to your body
  

American Medical Women's Association
Women's Complete Healthbook

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Success Strategies... ... ... ... ...

SIX TIPS FOR STAYING MOTIVATED

Not everyone can remain "up", optimistic and energetic all the time. We all wax and wane in our moods, outlook and energy levels. That's normal. People who are "up" most of the time have many methods to their madness. Adopt some of them to keep your motivation high:

1.Do What you Love and The Money Will Follow -

Hopefully you love sales - the interactions with people, the challenges, the rewards and the unlimited growth potential.

2. Take Pride in What you Do and It will have Meaning -

Even if you are starting at the bottom of the corporate ladder, do your job with pride and professionalism. Excellence is its own reward and will be recognized. Taking pride and doing the best job you can - no matter what the task - increases your self-esteem, competence and sense of control over your life and work. Not to mention your promotability.

3. Challenge Yourself with Continuous Self-Improvement -

Set realistic goals that are attainable in short periods of time. Break larger goals into smaller increments to give yourself frequent opportunities to experience a sense of accomplishment. Success feeds on success.

4. Reward Yourself for Successes and Failures -

Salespeople are subject to more than the average amount of rejection in their work, especially if they are cold-calling on the phone. Devise ways to reward yourself for your efforts, even when you are not successful. Giving yourself and "E for EFFORT" will keep you going so that sooner or later you'll be rewarding yourself for a success. Remember: sales can be a numbers game, so every "NO" brings you closer to a "YES".

5. Think in Terms of a Career Path, Not Just a Job -

Commit yourself to doing the best job you can for your present company, but remember that few jobs last forever. Always keep your future destination in mind while your eye is on the road immediately before you.

6. Take Absolute Responsibility for your Life and Career -

Realize that you and only you can shape your future. Again, small, positive steps lead to bigger and bigger payoffs.

"The Idea-A-Day Guide to Super Selling and Customer Service"
by Tony Alessandra, Ph.D., Gary Couture and Gregg Baron.