February 02, 2006
Vol. II, Issue 03
A Note from the Editor
Hello to All,
Welcome to this issue of The ART of Business newsletter, and a big welcome to all the new subscribers. It's been a busy week here at the Gallery--we've added a new section on Business Writing, which we hope you'll find helpful, and we've been bursting with excitement to bring you this month's Featured Artist, Ali Brown, the Ezine Queen, as our February 2006 Woman of the Month. If you're in need of a "quick inspiration fix," you'll definitely want to check out her profile!
And speaking of a quick fix, this week's feature article, Finding the Cure, is dedicated to all the women out there who have ever battled the dreaded disease, "Superwoman Syndrome." I hope
you'll find "The Cure" comforting and informative :o).
And last but not least, please be sure to check the end of this newsletter for a special fre*e gift I'm giving only to my newsletter subscribers this week. It's my way of saying thank you for giving me more than I could ever give back!
Finding The Cure
Have you been feeling run down recently? Frazzled, fatigued, and just plain fed up? It could be the flu, which seems to be making the rounds lately, or it might just be the more insidious Superwoman Syndrome. You know: that affliction that make us think we can do it all, to be all things to all people.Some days I feel like I've conquered the nasty bug. Then other times I catch myself juggling four overflowing grocery bags on my way into the house, while simultaneously trying to close the door with my foot and wrestle away from the dog my daughter's dirty socks, which apparently just missed the hamper. Do you ever have days like that?
With three other people living in the house, you wouldn't think I'd have to do it all myself. And I probably wouldn't either, if I'd just ask for help. Then when I growl at my family for not helping out and they protest with comments like, "Why didn't you say something?" it just exasperates me more. But it's not them I'm exasperated with--it's me. Why don't I just say something?
I think it must be something genetic that makes us feel like we have to be Superwomen. Like guys who have a problem asking for directions when they're hopelessly lost, we don't ask for help when we're hopelessly overwhelmed. At least I don't, or I didn't used to.
Early in my entrepreneurial career I did have to do it all--bookkeeping, marketing, taxes, the work itself. I didn't know there was any other way. Now, though, I'm the first in line when it comes to asking for help. I've learned that reaching out to someone more knowledgeable than me takes a lot of pressure off finding solutions to problems that I think are unsolvable. It helps too that there are so many ways to get assistance: from mentoring programs and online discussion forums, to freelancers and bartering programs; I rarely feel like I'm flying solo anymore.
Fortunately I found a mentor when I first started out who values my feedback as much as I value hers. We're always bouncing ideas off each other, giving each other advice (even the unsolicited kind when it's in our best interest to hear it), and helping each other out during crunch times when we need a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on. I'm positive that I couldn't have made it to where I am today if it wasn't for her. And I know she credits me too for helping her maintain her sanity. You just can't put a price on that kind of help.
There are also mentoring programs and support groups available from such organizations as the Women's Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET), which is sponsored by the Office of Women's Business Ownership (located in Small Business Administration offices throughout the U.S.).
Even complete strangers are willing to help when you ask. And it doesn't cost you anything! Take discussion forums--I'm a regular lurker on several, and a regular contributor to many more. You can't beat the real-world advice you'll find in forums like CyberSchmooz at the Business Owners Idea Cafe website, and the message boards at iVillage.com and the forums at BellaOnline.com.
You can also find more fantastic online resources that offer a treasure trove of no-cost and/or low-cost programs, tools, and information at these websites:
So the next time you're feeling hopelessly overwhelmed, desperately lost, or just sick and tired of battling Superwoman Syndrome, get the cure: ask for help. You'll be surprised how fast it works!
Here's wishing you all the best of health and a world of happiness!
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*Special Gift Offer:* To honor all of you who work so hard and give so much, please accept as my gift to you the Special eReport, "Partnering for Profit: How To Boost Business With Strategic Alliances"--a $9.95 value, yours fre*e for subscribing. Simply reply to this e-mail and put "Gift Offer" in the subject line. Please also specify whether you want the report in PDF or Word format.
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One last note: The password to the download page for the eReport "Woman's Business Survival Guide" has been changed. Please email me if you'd like to receive the new password.
Wishing you all the best,
Angel Brown
www.womens-business-gallery.com
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and co-workers. You can subscribe to this newsletter by visiting:
www.womens-business-gallery.com/newsletter.html
Copyright 2006 by Angel Brown. All rights reserved.
Published by the Womens Business Gallery, Woodland Park, Colorado