Ok, so let's begin! This will be fun, ok maybe not so much fun, however, it might really be helpful. Following are letters A-E. There are "Success Questions" for you to answer. Your responses could very well provide you with an insight into some attitudes and behaviors that interfere with your being the success you want to be! Identify where you need help and ask for it! Marcia

A, Ambition What is your relationship with the word or concept of ambition? How do you go forward with ambition while dealing with adversity? Doing what it takes to succeed, and being a success, leaves many women wondering if they should have their heads examined. Why would any women choose such a difficult path? Are the adversities and casualties worth it? Are there truly solutions to the age-old and new age problems that women face? How can we survive the emotional, physical, and mental strain of doing it all? How can we have love, support, connection, peace and happiness along with professional pride and glory?

B, Bumpy Road-Holding tight or crashing! Going over a bumpy road definitely does not mean you have to crash! When you have a cash flow problem, vendors are late with deliveries, a boss or employee is difficult or ill behaved you need to determine best way to respond that works for you and your situation. What about the personal pressures and sacrifices that seem to be leading your life? It's important to know that you can respond without crashing. Sometimes you need to change directions and sometimes you just need to slow down for a short time. It's also essential to know when the cost may be too high for who you are and, what you want out of life.

C, Commitment Do others confuse your being relentless with being ruthless? Which are you? Or perhaps you're both. Yet while much has changes for women in the past quarter of a century and even more so, the past five to ten years, aggressive, assertive, committed women are often identified with less than flattery adjectives. So now what? How can you stay committed to your intentions that ultimately have become your goals? What kind of energy and enthusiasm does it require to stay committed to those intentions?

D, Dreams: Fulfilled or a Nightmare? Has your dream become a nightmare? So many women keep on going with persistence and determination because you know that not doing it would feel as if your were living a life of denial and disappointment. There are indeed tough, practical everyday issues that demand real solutions. For women up a 5AM, responsible for kids, for arranging day care, after school care and activities, social life, medical care, possibly caring for elderly parents, a relationship with a spouse and others, as well as the home, meals, shopping and more, the demands and expectations feel and are staggering and relentless.

How does a woman find time for herself, find someone who is willing to respond to her needs, to encourage her, so she can continue to believe in her choices and decisions? Of course, dream or nightmare, it's like Ginger dancing backwards and in high heels, we simply do what we have to!

E, Exercise! I don't know how to do that! I don't even want to do that! Let someone else do that! Exercising your mind, body and spirit is part of taking care, of paying attention of being accountable. Being healthy and in touch with who you are, and what you need, gives you an edge on your options and opportunities. There is always more to learn and to be prepared for changes and challenges.