Most of my clients are entrepreneurs and business owners, many of whom are also home-based. They are hardworking and dedicated people, who typically love what they are doing in their business. The idea of taking downtime for recreation and play often stops them short, however. I also have to remind myself often of the need to simply take time off to relax, play and just plain have fun! Yet rest and rejuvenation is a necessity if you want to keep those creative juices flowing and avoid burn-out and stress.

In their book, The Power of Full Engagement, Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz explain that the key to high performance is how you manage your energy. They draw their research from athletic teams, where the practice is to train, play and then recuperate after the game. We all know that when you work out your muscles you need to give them a rest in order for the fibers to heal and get even stronger. Yet many entrepreneurs remain so engaged in their business on a 24/7 basis, we forget or even resist the need for our minds and bodies to rest and recuperate.

The ability to listen to our intuition and let our creativity flow from us easily and brilliantly is critical. When we keep forging ahead regardless of fatigue or stress, we shift into a “driving and striving” kind of energy. That’s an appropriate choice when you’re working on a deadline, but when you’re trying to brainstorm new ideas or reach out and develop new partnerships, it’s not an attractive energy to be bringing.

Having a play date with yourself, or with others, is a great way to keep your internal connection to your brilliance strong. It will definitely help to clear your head and help keep your creativity primed. Block off a standing play date with yourself on a regular basis in your calendar. Do whatever brings you joy. You might catch an afternoon matinee, visit the museum, or take a cooking class. You could take a day to workout, meet with friends and work on a non-business related project you want to tackle.

I’ll bet you’ll be amazed at how refreshed and energized you’ll feel when you get back to your desk after your play date!

Do you realize how courageous you are to have chosen to walk the path of a brilliant entrepreneur? Well, you are! Here’s a short video blog I created for you that shares some of my thoughts and tips on how to call upon your courage in the face of fear.

I would love to hear from you about this subject of courage. Where are you finding yours? Where is your courage lacking right now? Do you have any tips you find helpful in getting you back on the path of your brilliance? If you do, please share them here in the comment section.

If you’re ready to take inspired action (Tip #3 from my video), I want to let make sure you know about the upcoming “How to Charge What You’re Worth and Get It” Virtual Workshop I’m facilitating on Tuesday, June 22. It runs from 12-4 pm eastern, and is done via teleseminar, so you can join me from wherever you have a phone.

Plus, if you register by June 15, you can take advantage of a $100 Fast Action discount! (I’m even offering a 3-pay option to make it really easy on your cash flow). To learn more and register today, please visit: http://BrillianceMastery.com/workshop

As the leader of your business, the buck stops with you. If something isn’t working to your satisfaction, if a team member isn’t meeting your expectations or standards, it’s up to you to express your dissatisfaction and request a change. But dishing out criticism, even if it’s phrased as “constructive,” isn’t always easy to do effectively.

Women, in particular, seem to have a tough time delivering the news. Sometimes we store up our unhappiness and frustration because we tend to be master conflict avoiders. However, you can avoid rocking the boat only so long until resentment and frustration builds to a point of pressure where we lose our composure.

Are there ways for us, as women entrepreneurs, to deliver needed feedback without having to cringe while doing so?

Absolutely!

Here are some ways I recommend you deliver feedback effectively and clearly, and stand in your power in the process.

1. Be Prepared

Do yourself a favor and write a few notes out to help clear your head and get clear on what’s not working. Look at the facts of the situation. Leave any judging or guessing why someone isn’t meeting your needs out for now. Get grounded in knowing what your request is and what the consequence will be if the situation doesn’t get turned around to your satisfaction.

2. See the Feedback as a Gift

When delivering feedback to someone, set an intention to come from a place of service – to yourself and to the other person. Keeping quiet and letting resentment start to brew within you doesn’t help anyone. Telling someone your truth is a gift, even if they end up being disappointed or hurt in the moment by it.

3. Speak Straight and from the Heart

If you have bad news to deliver or a request to make, get to the point. Avoid the tendency women have to start to use indirect language as a way to worm out of delivering a critical comment. Speak from your heart and invite the other person to see how your request for change is in service of the greater good of your company and the people you serve.

4. Be Prepared to Listen

When delivering feedback, it’s important that you allow space and time to listen to the other person. It’s not all about you talking. It’s also about listening. Give the person a chance to be heard and to have their views acknowledged. You may still end up parting ways, but at least you have defused any potential for lingering resentment or upset.

Using these strategies, I bet you’ll be surprised at how quickly and effectively you’ll be able to deliver feedback without cringing!

Becoming an entrepreneur and creating your own business isn’t something that most of us step into blindly. There is usually some core passion or purpose you feel that fuels your willingness to step on the highly creative and unpredictable path of entrepreneurship. What is YOUR why?

Whether it come from a deep personal connection, passion, knowing that you can make a difference in the lives of other individuals, or whatever your “WHY” is, you are deeply connected to it.

You are aware that there many obstacles, unknowns and setbacks along the path of building your business and, without a compelling “WHY,” it’s easy to be blown off course and you may be tempted to pack it all in.

You need to see, feel, taste, and smell your “WHY.” In those moments of doubt that you will inevitably encounter in the life of your business, knowing your “WHY” is what will pull you through. What is YOUR why?

Do you truly own the difference that you make or do you minimize your contributions? Do you struggle with taking compliments, credit, and appreciation for something that you’ve done?

In my experience, women can often be wonderful deflectors. It can feel uncomfortable for us to receive that kind of appreciation and acknowledgment.

Women, in general, don’t take enough time to celebrate our accomplishments because we’re always so busy about getting on to the next thing on the “to do” list. There’s a core belief underlying this minimizing behavior that tells us, “I’m not good enough.”

What that means for the woman entrepreneur is we may not have a fully realized sense of our self-worth. This can show up in our business in many ways, such as not following up effectively on leads, having sporadic or inconsistent marketing efforts, or procrastinating on making a great idea a reality.

The brilliant woman entrepreneur owns the difference she makes. She is tapped into her divine feminine power and allows that flow of wisdom and energy to guide her in business and in life. She receives compliments with grace. She is able to charge what she’s truly worth and as a result is able to attract the kinds of clients she wants to work with, and create a profitable and successful business as a result.

Being able to own the difference you make and the light you shine in the world is critical.