As women, sometimes we put our own roadblocks in front of us. The more we become successful, the greater the challenges that face us. And, incredibly, the larger the obstacle in our path, the more life-affirming, creative, and energizing is the solution -- if we are ready to take on that role and responsibility.

Some examples of putting obstacles in our own way include:

Your customers, clients, and associates want to know the "real" you. They want to know if they can trust you.

They want to know if your book will truly help them with their needs, or if your product will help them succeed, or if your service will answer their questions, or if your consulting will provide guidance.

People want to know how you entertain, educate, or inform them. They want to know if you provide quality, and they look to your public persona to "suss out" if you're trustworthy or not.

When you're starting your green business, it's so important to have a core group of people to help you grow and thrive. Creating a mastermind group means developing this core group of individuals who help you achieve your objectives. For women in green businesses, this means reaching out to one another to create real connections. This isn't a competition -- this is world-changing work that we're doing, together.

Developing and growing your green business requires some level of thought about what you personally bring to the table, and what skills that the company or organization needs that you don't have.

For example: maybe you're a numbers person but don't have a creative on board.

Do you offer something that someone else may need?

Does someone else offer a service or product that you need?

Consider becoming partners!

When you're building a business, it's important to work with people you trust and like.

You'll want to decide if you want to contract out work (by hiring an individual or firm) or identifying partners who agree to work with you in exchange for equity in your endeavor. You could offer something like a 1%, 10%, 40% share (or more) in your company depending on what your potential partner brings to the table.

Here are the top five items I believe women need to be successful:

1) Clarity of purpose

As you go through your journey of achieving and celebrating success, you get closer and closer to a single, clarifying, unifying life mission that tells you what you are here to do. That clarity of purpose is not defined by your family, your church, your parents, or anyone else. It is defined by your own reflection on your talents and where your greatest skill matches the world's greatest need.

Consider your earliest memories of "what you wanted to be" or "who you want to be when you grow up" -- that will help you organize your thinking about what it is you are here to accomplish.

2) Self-awareness

When every day become a routine, we go on "automaton" mode, going through the motions of commuting, working, eating, taking care of kids, preparing food, housework, and getting ready for the next day. 

When we meditate, take time off, breathe deeply, and practice mindfulness, we realize what a wonderful gift each single day brings us. We become self-aware of our needs, we understand our deeper consciousness, and we get closer to our spiritual side, which helps bring us closer to our life purpose.

3) Belief in oneself

It is impossible for a woman to be successful if she doesn't believe she will be successful. Much of the self-help literature and all the women's programs that are available are there to give you a sense of structure and a way to build up your self-confidence. When we believe in our own abilities, the world opens up unlimited possibilities and opportunities. When we don't believe in our abilities, everything closes down. We must first believe in our own unique skill, purpose on Earth, and reason for our life.

4) Community

I don't think it's possible to go it alone. I think we all need one another, and the best we can do is to connect with others who believe in the same values we do and who abide by the same principles as we do. With a group of others, we don't feel so isolated and we gain strength, ideas, and power when working together on a shared issue.

5) A sense of giving back

As women, we are natural mediators, community-builders, and collaborators. The best way to feel successful is to support others through our time, treasure, and talent. Consider doing a "tithe" or a 10% donation to a charity of your choice. Or, consider doing volunteer service on monthly basis with a group that you want to support. 

Here's a wonderful quote which I think encapsulates our purpose:

"Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand?

For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light." -- Jesus

Shine your light: there is only one of you in the world.