If you are like me, you are trying to keep your head above water in this speed crazed world, stretched too thin on your time, and juggling ten projects at a time. My good friend Tina, and myself always joke and say we consider oursselves, "wonder women"....we look at ourselves and we wonder! After working a full year non-stop, serving on a board, numerous speaking engagements, publishing two books and sitting on the organizing committee for a fundraiser, the brakes were applied this weekend. I came crashing against a brick wall.

Like most women, I ignored the symptoms of stress: sleepless nights, constant exhaustion, migraines, a racing heart, back aches and stomach upsets. Stress is common in everyone's lives...I certainly am no exception to this rule. But sometimes, life has other plans for us. This Thanksgivng I had to do some soul-searching about continuing on a volunteer board that was time consuming and, fraught with conflicts. When is it a good time to throw in the towel and say "enough is enough"? I have never been a quitter, so would I be considered a coward, a looser, a defeatist? If an organizaton, committment to a goal, or a person, for that matter, is not serving your best interests, when do you make the decision to move on? Here are a few observations I had this weekend:

1. Saying "enough is enough", does not mean you are weak or a selfish person. It does not necessarily spell defeat. It is actually more courageous to "step down" than to get sick over something. Taking back control of yourself, and your health, makes you a winner, not a loser!

2. Consider the other option! I could continue serving on this board, and eventually getting more stressed and sicker or I could consider stepping back and taking control of my stress level. When you are making the decision, sit back and consider the other side. Talk it over with an unbiased person who can see the whole picture objectively. You would be surprised to see what they see!

3. Own your own age! Eventhough I have inherited great genes, and most people mistake me for my early 30's, the fact is I am 43 years old!! We, and life, evolve and circumstances change, and it is important to be honest with ourselves. The energy that we had 20 or even 10 years ago, is not at the same energy level we have today.

4. Life is not about "survival of the fittest"! Life is about balance, having honesty and integrity. Working hard to achieve a personal goal is admirable, but not at the expense of your survival. Life is not about merely surviving, it is about living.

5. Prevention is better than a cure! My life partner always says this to me. ( I should listen to him more often!) Be pro-active today, instead of waiting until tomorrow, when the decision will be made for you! Invariably, you will be sidelined with a sickness that will force you to take a breather from your stress.

6. Learn to set boundaries. Prioritize in your life what is important and needs your attention and what isn't important at this time. Life is not a contest, but your precious time and health is the prize!

7. Put your ego aside! I know that stepping down from this volunteer board will possibly upset a few people. If we were to remove our ego's. our drive to succeed, a desire to be popular, or the perception that they cannot go on without you....you would see your decisions can be made more simply and easily.

8. When stress becomes toxic! Let's face it, there is good stress and there is toxic stress. We all experience some good stress: paying your bills, being at work on time, buying a new home. But when the unnecessary stress becomes a pollutant in your health system, then drastic measures are needed.

9. When you make a decision that feels right in your heart, stick with it. Do not let anyone persuade you. As soon as I decided to take a 'leave of absence' from this board, it felt right. The weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders.

10. The law of balance states that when you are giving more to something than what you are getting back, then it is time to say "enough is enough"! In the end, the scales are never tipped in your favour.

Sometimes, undue and unnecessary stress that we take upon ourselves, will dull our gems within. Take a good look at what is important right now, and if saying "enough is enough' will help you sparkle and shine again, then do it!! Then you can truly say you are a wonder(ful) woman!