How confident and courageous are you? It takes great courage to be true to yourself, but that's what you need to start a sustainable enterprise based on values and ethics. It takes courage to behave honourably, even with your back against the wall. But if you have courage you will always succeed.

You'd be surprised how much courage you are already using in daily life and don't give yourself credit for. Just getting up in the morning and dealing with your day can take an enormous amount. Look back at your day today and list at least five things you did that took a lot of courage.

The truth is, we can do anything we want - it's our own doubts and lack of self-confidence that hold us back. And according to my friend singer/songwriter Celina, there is nothing more sexy than confidence!

What are we so afraid of?

Before you can cultivate the soil for your new enterprise, using the courage it's going to take to get started, you'll need to face up to any lurking fears that may be inhibiting you.

What are some common fears that many of us share? Do you fear public speaking or putting yourself in the limelight?

Standing up and being seen is often a big fear for many of us. And sometimes we end up doing the very things that bring up our fears. I felt very self-conscious about being 'seen', too, and yet always seem to be in the public eye.

I was making speeches in front of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people and regularly appearing on TV programmes. I would go into a cold sweat for at least an hour before and have to run to the bathroom regularly.

The way I got over my fears was to start asking my higher self for help beforehand. I heard my inner voice remind me to just speak from the heart. I knew my subject after all, and audiences always respond to honest, heartfelt talks - something politicians should try to remember!

Confrontation is also a big fear for many, particularly women.

It's always so much easier to say yes or just put off those difficult moments. I certainly hate it. But running your own business is full of those times when you have to face uncomfortable situations with others.

What I've learned, albeit slowly, is that the longer you put off confrontation, the harder it is. It is always better to express how you feel, whether in personal or professional relationships. What we have to learn is that confrontation may be uncomfortable, but if we stay true to ourselves and come from a place of grace, rather than anger, it doesn't have to be unpleasant. That's the 'Feminine Way'.

Next in the series

Read more from Lynne Franks' SEED Handbook: the feminine way to create business.