“I can’t make a commitment right now!” Everyone has either heard or said these words. Being afraid of commitment has its roots in the fear of the unknown. If you knew the outcome of every decision you made it would be easy. Then you could commit yourself with ease, right? Not really.

But setting goals and outlining your objectives is the first step to reaching goal achievement. But what does it take to make a commitment to a decision, an idea, a friend, a goal or a purpose? There are 5 foundational aspects to making a commitment.

Every person has attended one too many business conferences in his or her lifetime. You listen to savvy, smart people telling you everything they think you should do, be or feel. Most of which you already know. But you go anyway. Take a close look at what is happening when you go. What will serve you? Who are you in these awkward exchanges? Besides your too-tight suit, hard-core makeup and brand new shoes, what are some important pieces you definitely should leave at home, or better yet, get completely rid of

It’s 10:00 a.m. on Monday morning and Jane Businesswoman sits in a boardroom full of men. Week in, week out, it’s the same old story. Mr. Bossman holds court, a few of the men contribute their thoughts and ideas, decisions are made, and Jane agrees with everything, saying little, if anything.

Troublemakers at the executive level are the most difficult to deal with – because they have power. Nothing worse than a jerk with authority. They don't respond to the disapproving look or your hints of objection. Most are poor communicators and lack effective leadership skills. No, they believe they are beyond correction or reprimand.

There are a number of things we all need to quit: smoking, overeating, fibbing, ignoring reality, gossiping, and over-working just to name a few. I’m sure you can come up with a few more on your own. But, it’s that drive to succeed, to not stop, to not quit that keeps you in the throes of bad habits - habits that hurt your chances of finding contentment, success, and satisfaction.

There are times when following isn’t in someone's best interest. The top reason people don’t follow is they have found nothing worth following. Here are a few reasons people may not follow you:

The influential woman consists of an array of qualities that are not mistaken for anything other than influential. She is strong and confident. People take notice when she walks into the room. She commands the respect that she has earned. Every woman can be an influential woman. But it doesn’t happen without effort on your part. Where do you start? How do you recognize influential traits?

The smart woman knows that she can learn and be taught. But there are certain things only you can teach yourself. These are at the top of the list of 5 things you MUST teach yourself.

1. Learn how you learn best. Visual? Auditory? Accelerated? Do you require one-on-one contact or instruction? How does your mind work – in pictures or words? Knowing this will save you time and money later on as well as help you retain better what you’ve learned.

Every successful wise woman has a toolkit full of whatever it takes to make it work. An arsenal of trade secrets … a bag of goodies. It’s like the bag Mary Poppins had – it was bottomless and filled with unlimited possibilities. In examining your toolkit, the first thing you need to do is take an inventory of what you have and what you DON’T have. While it’s important to know what you have, I believe it’s equally if not MORE important to know what is MISSING.

The time has come for you to stand up and stake your claim as an entrepreneurial woman. Yes, you! You’re never too old or too young to see yourself as – and be - an entrepreneur. When I graduated from college my mindset was finding a job, working for a paycheck and paying my bills.