What your heroes say about you

Many of us may not take the time to stop and think about what and why we admire our heroes. However, it is important because the qualities we admire in them are often qualities that we aspire to.

When you identify your heroes, you also identify common characteristics they uphold. It’s likely that these characteristics are the reasons you admire them. Think about it; test it out. You’ll discover that it’s true. You share a common value system with your heroes, or they wouldn’t make your list.

Remember, heroes don’t need to be famous. There are countless everyday heroes that come into our lives—friends, relatives, teachers, coaches—even co-workers and bosses. In a sense, the characteristics you admire in these folks are a take away—a bonus. Now, apply what you learn from these individuals to your own life and career. You won’t stop being yourself. Instead, you will move another step closer to discovering the real you. Best of all, uncovering that information can be extremely valuable—both personally and professionally.

Some of my heroes include Gloria Steinem, F. Scott Fitzgerald and my grandmothers.

Who are yours?

Don't Forget to Dream

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.

Begin by asking yourself this question: If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? What is your dream? Start defining it. What are you passionate about? What business activities feel most like fun and least like work? Of course, this requires some soul-searching. Take it to the next level. Write down the names of three people you admire. It doesn’t matter if they are family members, friends or business acquaintances. Then, determine what characteristics you admire in each of them. The attributes you list should be closely aligned with the heart of your passions! When you define your passions and dreams, you begin the planning process, and that in turn opens the door to exciting possibilities.

This tip, from Gloria Steinem, is definitely one to live by. Anytime you create and build a business, you dream—or plan. It’s part of the natural course of events. And leaps of imagination are necessary for making it happen. There are, after all, endless possibilities, and it’s up to you to steer them in the direction that fulfills your dreams. I spend a great deal of time talking with women entrepreneurs around the country, and I am able to witness firsthand the incredible success they are experiencing. As you know, women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men. Why? The reason is in part because they can, but also because they are dreaming and planning. It’s the excitement of the possibility. And today, more than ever, they know that it’s possible for a woman to own and operate her own business. Thanks to women like Gloria Steinem who forged the way for women like me—and you.

What about you? Are you dreaming and planning? Is your imagination working overtime? Get your mind in gear by reading about other women entrepreneurs and sharing your success story at www.RealYouIncorporated.com.

It's true, you know

Gloria Steinem's recent sold-out visit to Comfortable Columbus (Ohio) is just one of the many signs that the collective power of women is becoming more apparent and verbalized. We're beginning to see the new wave of feminism - and it's not feminism as an "F" word. Nope, those pioneers - led by Steinem in the second wave just as Susan B. Anthony and the suffragettes led the first wave - had to be more combative. They were fighting for basic freedoms and rights for women.

Today, we all have the power to assume the place in the world of our own making. And if we all stick together, it will be powerful. And balanced. And, well, fun and real.

Women entrepreneurs are starting businesses of all kinds at an amazing rate. Women make or direct 91 percent of all home buying decisions, 79 percent of all consumer purchases and will control most of the wealth in the U.S. by the middle of this century.

It's exciting, this women ruling thing. But the main point is that the way women rule is different. We share. We care. We love men, too. We just want to do things our way. With support. Let's go!