I’m often asked how I stay so positive through such uncertainty of starting and growing a business. I usually fumble through the answer because the truth is, I just do! There is really no big secret. Being positive and happy is a choice and we all have the ability to immerse ourselves in both.

I do have a few thoughts I can share, because the reality is that being an entrepreneur can be very daunting and it is easy for “gremlins” to sneak in through the back door of our minds.  The fact of the matter is I waited most of my adult life to do this, so I give it my all and always remember that if I had to shut the doors on my business tomorrow (which I won’t!) that the personal and professional experience that I gained from this is invaluable.  So here are my secrets

For starters, surround yourself with positive, authentic people and nothing less! I attended a workshop this weekend on How To Write & Publish Books That Change Lives, organized and hosted by the very accomplished Sophfronia Scott and author of Doing Business by the Book. I thought I would be learning about writing and publishing, but the experience was more than I could have imagined. I was immersed in a room full of energy and some of the most amazing men and women who were there to support each other. My Coach and author of Escape from Cubicle Nation, Pamela Slim was also the keynote speaker and it doesn’t take much to get me into a room where she is speaking. She brings so much energy into the room and I chuckled when she mentioned the concept of "connect with the connectors" in terms of building your network. We discussed it often and I still hear her voice in my head.

The most interesting coincidence of the day (or not!) was that I ended up sitting next to one of the guest speakers, Debbie Phillips who authored the book Women on Fire. She has the most amazing energy and somehow I don’t think it was any coincidence that we sat together! In addition to all of the other people in the room, I was completely surrounded by positive energy and inspiration. How lucky was I?

Additionally, I have been doing peer coaching with one of my dearest friends of almost 30 years (yikes, I’m getting old!) Lisa Montanaro, an accomplished entrepreneur and author of The Ultimate Life Organizer: An Interactive Guide to a Simpler, Less Stressful, and More Organized Life. Lisa launched her business almost 10 years ago and ironically, as I am starting up my business she is in the process of taking her success to another level. She has been truly inspirational and instrumental in helping me keep a clear perspective on where I have been, where I am at and what I have to look forward to. We work together through the challenges and she reminds me that there is always more than one solution to a challenge. Through our friendship which spans most of our lives, she understands how I work, my inner drive and is able to give me real, honest feedback.

It is interesting that in my corporate life, my greatest mentor was a man. He pushed me to grow and be a better professional, which I am very grateful for. However, these days I tend to surround myself with other unbelievable, successful women entrepreneurs who inspire me to be a part of changing the world. The women mentioned here are those that touched my life just in the last week. There are many more that have come into my life over the past few months.  Thank you all for coming into my world, keeping me inspired and for teaching me something new everyday.

So for all of you that have wondered...there you have it! My secret to keeping it positive. Now it’s your turn!