Have you taken time out lately to consider why you're in business? That's the first in a series of questions posed by entrepreneur, author and business coach Reneé Trudeau, on the theme of Empowering Entrepreneurs.

Trudeau, president of Renee Trudeau & Associates and Career Strategists, leads Empowered Entrepreneur workshops and self-renewal retreats for women throughout the U.S. She is also the author of The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal 

"In this era of overwork," Trudeau says, "entrepreneurs, especially women, are looking for new ways to think about and approach 'how' they work." Trudeau's suggestions call for reflection and self-analysis--so grab a piece of paper (or open a Word document on your computer), and prepare to take a close look at what you do and why you do it:

1. Know your purpose. Why are you in business? Why do you do what you do? Create and post a purpose statement.
    
2. Take time to cultivate depth/mastery. Build on your brilliance; where do you stand out? Are you leveraging these strengths? This will guide your service or product offerings and strengthen your brand.
    
3. Harness the power of focus. What three things should you spend 80 percent of your energy and time on? Do you spend your day on high-impact, revenue-producing work or just plow through to-do lists?
    
4. Do it differently. Question your business model, how you've set up your team structure and how you spend your day. Be agile and adaptable. Don't marry yourself to your business or revenue model--evaluate every quarter.
    
5. Slow down and pause (often). Take a one-day retreat every quarter to ask:
    
   • What are my top three priorities this quarter?
   • What feeds me and what drains me in my business?

   Re-align with No. 7. Then course correct, as needed.  
   
   

6. Realize that relationship building and cultivating referral sources takes time. Do you know where and how you receive your referrals? Are you consciously spending time nurturing key relationships? How's your EQ (emotional intelligence)?
   
   
7. Envision what is possible (stop playing small). Ask, "What is my highest vision for my business?" Spend time around entrepreneurs who inspire you. Allow yourself to be stretched. Be playful; imagine possibilities.
    
8. Ask for and let yourself receive support. This can have a huge impact on how you experience self-employment. And it can be the difference between loving and hating your business.
    
9. Don't be afraid of marketing. It's your birthright, your responsibility to share your talents. Love your marketing materials, live your messages, and enjoy spreading the word about the amazing ways you help others.
    
10. Know yourself/love yourself. Take time to get to know what drives you, how you're wired and what kind of business leader you are. Take the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, know your triggers and weaknesses, look at how you balance yin and yang (your masculine and feminine strengths). Focus on self-nurturing--it's essential.

Copyright 2010, Renee Peterson Trudeau/Career Strategists