To the wonderful women who receive my monthly e-letter, I thought you might find following excerpts from an article I wrote interesting…maybe even helpful. - Happy Holidays, Marcia

In order for business and professional women to survive success it is essential to face their dilemmas. It is equally essential to define the strategies and solutions to help them reduce and even perhaps eliminate the emotional, physical and mental strain of trying to do it all.

What are the top dilemmas business and professional women face? What is required for you to survive and thrive while dealing with these numerous dilemmas and demands. How can you enrich and enjoy your success.

I have often wondered how does any woman have the courage and willingness to continue her pursuit of her ambitions in spite of the compromises, sacrifices and difficult adversities such as lack of, or shortage of, personal time, money, support, family issues.

How does a woman who, is up at 6am, to bed at midnight and back up again at 6am, responsible for kids, arranging day care, after school care and activities, social life, medical care, possibly elderly parents, a relationship with a spouse and others, as well as home, meals, shopping and more, find a way to integrate the various elements of her life?

How does any woman living alone find social outlets and relationship opportunities when working 60-70 hours a week? All too often exhaustion usually prevails. How do women deal with harassment and emotional issues when they are expected to be tough and together? How do women deal with clients who don't pay or pay late and with corporate structures that deny equal growth, pay and promotion opportunities for women?

How do you integrate the many parts of your life? How do you get people who work with you and for you to do what is required? How do you get people to pay you what you're worth? How do you respond and react in ways that allow you to maintain your dignity and determination. How do you enrich your quality of life as you pursue success?

Have you ever asked yourself:

• How do I not take rejection personally?
• Will my kids hate me for being a career woman?
• How do I stay hopeful when business is slow or I'm having a difficult time?
• How do I set boundaries with people I work with or who work for me?
• How do I make my interests and needs as important as others in my life?
• How do I find enough time for everyone in my life?
• How do I find time just for me?

The lesson here is to know your vision of success for yourself now and for the future and what must you do to make that happen. The dilemmas faced each day take their toll they however do not have to derail you. How do you make changes in your life? Surviving success means accepting your right to your ambitions. It means not allowing others to deny or diminish your intentions. It is about making choices that are good for you as well as others in your life. It is so important to know and respect the impact of your choices and decisions they can have long and far-ranging effects. Take them seriously!

I know all of you have heard how you have to have a balance in your life. I think the word balance is far from what is required, I believe it's integration. You need to find ways to integrate the various elements and activities in your life so you don't constantly feel torn in a dozen different directions. So, I ask you, do you really think it will every get easier for working women?

Indeed a dilemma!!!