Many women find themselves happiest when they are creating something. Without an outlet for creativity, a woman can be frustrated or even sad and/or depressed. As a fundamental part of the feminine spectrum, “launching” – getting anything off the ground – is a release of creativity that is essential to the female psyche. Launching not only makes women feel good, often it provides them the freedom and flexibility that they desire in their lives. Many women do not practice launching, however, because they feel overwhelmed with the thought of the many tasks associated with starting something new.

While the prospect of launching a business idea, a new endeavor or a change in lifestyle can be exhilarating to some women, tasks such as recruiting members for a book club, beginning an art class or writing a business plan may seem daunting to other women. For the later category of women there is an alternative. Instead of focusing solely on the action element of launching, women can choose to follow a creative flow method. In their book Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship & Creativity as a Lifestyle, co-authors Beth Schoenfeldt and Victoria Colligan identify four basic steps to let creativity flow:
1. Imagination: A woman must first think of it in order for it to happen.
2. Word: Talking about an idea or desire makes it more likely to happen.
3. Deed: Start taking action to make it happen.
4. Celebration: Take time to acknowledge steps along the way, not just the big finish.

This creative-flow process aligns with how a woman naturally thinks because it is centered around creativity. The resulting expression leads women to satisfaction and fulfillment. Schoenfeldt and Colligan also assert that launching is good for self-esteem. They conducted a survey of more than 1,000 women and found that women who are launching – whether it be a knitting circle or a multimillion-dollar company – feel more confident, trust their intuitions, are more likely to consider themselves “unstoppable” and have more friends and contacts.

Unfortunately, our action-oriented society can stifle one's creativity. Thus, it is critical for women to do something for themselves even if it means removing themselves from the computer, tearing up 'to-do' lists and detaching from other action-focus parts of their lives. Although this may sound self-indulgent, successful launchers agree that taking time for the self is essential for a woman's wellbeing.

Besides indulging one's passion to create, launching also can help women gain freedom and flexibility. Women often have numerous causes and goals that they would like to blend together and weave into their lives – hence, the need for flexibility. Women are natural networkers – an important attribute for successful launching. This ability to network helps women develop beneficial relationships, unearth valuable opportunities and discover critical information. In addition, the surrounding atmosphere of like-minded people creates highly contagious, positive energy. Although launching requires focused energy, it often leads to increased opportunities for flexibility and networking.

According to The Center for Women's Business Research in Washington, D.C., today's women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of men. Perhaps this should be no big surprise, since women have several great traits that work in their favor. If you are a woman who is passionate about an idea or project, then go ahead and launch it. Act on that business idea, kick-off that speakers' series, take that photography class. It is good for you, your health and happiness, and chances are it will make the world a better place.

Margey Lowery is the Cleveland leader for Ladies Who Launch, a national organization that helps women move their ideas, goals and projects forward. For more information on Ladies Who Launch and to find workshops near you, visit www.LadiesWhoLaunch.com, e-mail MLowery@LadiesWhoLaunch.com or phone Margey at (440) 382-3127.