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July 26, 2021

5 Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs

Being an entrepreneur can be one of the most rewarding, yet challenging career paths one can take. There are many considerations that go into starting a business so it’s important to understand both the benefits and risks of this career path. It can be helpful to take into consideration the habits of the most successful entrepreneurs, especially for business owners that are just starting out. 

They set “SMART” goals 

While any type of goal setting is a great way to help one reach their ambitions faster, setting “SMART” goals, in particular, can be a helpful strategy for entrepreneurs. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. When an entrepreneur makes a SMART goal, they are setting themselves up for success because they have a more clear path of how they will reach their overarching ambitions, whether that is personally or professionally. 

For example, an entrepreneur may say they want to increase their revenue for a certain product by the end of the year rather than setting a goal to increase revenue overall. This depicts a SMART goal because they are focused on a specific area of the business, making this ambition more attainable. Furthermore, by making a timely goal, the business owner has a timeframe in mind and can make intentional steps to reach this deadline. SMART goals are proven to be more effective than simply setting a larger goal because it can sometimes be overwhelming to attain certain bigger-picture ambitions. This is why by having shorter-term, more attainable goals, it is easier to stay motivated as each smaller goal is achieved.

 

They continuously network

Entrepreneurs understand that making connections is fundamental in business. Networking can come in many forms and successful entrepreneurs oftentimes think outside the box when meeting new people. The COVID-19 pandemic not only shifted the way in which business owners had to operate on a day-to-day basis, but changed the way in which connections are made. 

For instance, while some entrepreneurs may have been able to participate in trade shows or Chamber of Commerce events prior to the pandemic, in-person meetings came to a halt due to the need for increased safety measures. While traditional networking may have taken place in person, successful entrepreneurs learned to adapt and network digitally. Networking is critical in business as it allows entrepreneurs to stay on top of current trends and meet key players in the industry. Successful networking also can serve as a form of marketing or yield client referrals to create even more business opportunities. 

 

They are always reading 

It is commonly known that successful people are constantly reading. This is why many entrepreneurs prioritize and understand the importance of reading on a regular basis. Deciding which books to read can be overwhelming as there are a plethora of options available. Furthermore, reading can take up time and entrepreneurs are usually extremely busy, especially when just starting out. Taking time to read quality books that are industry specific can be a good starting point and can help narrow down choices. Making a habit to read books as an entrepreneur can improve brain function, enhance creativity and reduce stress. 

 

They have a money management system in place

Being an entrepreneur comes with a significant amount of responsibilities, including having a financial plan in place for both professional and personal finances. Sometimes it can be tempting to combine personal and business finances however, some of the most successful ensure they have a money management system in place for tracking purposes. Making an effort to keep business finances separate from personal finances is a habit of successful entrepreneurs because this allows them to have a better understanding of their business expenditures and therefore, they can determine the best ways to spend money from their business. 

Furthermore, successful entrepreneurs will oftentimes set up adequate safeguards to protect both their business and personal finances. Having financial peace of mind allows entrepreneurs to focus on growing their businesses and can provide much-needed protection in times of uncertainty. An important way to protect both the entrepreneur’s business and personal finances is to carry a sufficient amount of life insurance coverage. Having a life insurance policy is particularly important for entrepreneurs because they are responsible for many different aspects of their business as well as their personal finances. For example, if an entrepreneur has family members that rely on income from their business, it’s important to ensure that if anything unexpected were to happen, their family has financial safeguards set in place. 

 

They make time for themselves

Successful entrepreneurs understand the importance of hard work but they also value taking time to regroup. It can be hard to take a pause as an entrepreneur, especially considering all of the hats they wear. However, prioritizing self-care and taking a pause can actually prove to create more growth in day-to-day business duties. A few ways some of the most successful entrepreneurs make time for themselves include:

  • Exercising
  • Making health a priority
  • Enjoying a hobby
  • Taking a vacation
  • Getting a good night’s rest

The most important person to keeping business operations running smoothly is the actual business owner. This is why successful entrepreneurs make it a habit to prioritize their overall wellness. 

Being an entrepreneur comes with a unique set of responsibilities and challenges. However, owning and operating a business can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding experience. Understanding the habits of some of the most successful entrepreneurs can set other entrepreneurs up for long-term stability and a successful business future. 

 

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June 1, 2021

8 Mistakes to Avoid When You Work from Home

Working from home can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many benefits especially for moms because of the flexibility and accessibility that comes from having a remote job.

There are however some common mistakes that can impact the quality and productivity of work if you’re not careful.

Here are 8 Mistakes To Avoid When You Work from Home.

 

MISTAKE #1: ALLOWING YOURSELF TO BE DISTRACTED

It can be easy to become distracted when working from home. From phone calls to unexpected guests dropping in – to your kids coming home from school with “big news” about their day  …

There are many opportunities to get pulled off task and this is why self-discipline is critical to the success of your remote career and lifestyle.

It’s important to set clear boundaries ahead of time and communicate them to your friends and family members (your children are another story, they may need some gentle reminders). 

 

MISTAKE #2: PROCRASTINATING YOUR WORK

When you work from home, it can be easy to procrastinate doing your work and placing personal tasks as a priority instead. “Oh I’ll just get some chores done first, and then I’ll work on that spreadsheet.” Sound familiar?

It’s important to treat every assigned task as a priority. If you have project management software, this is a great time to use it.

Set clear objectives and deadlines, block off time in your calendar to complete tasks at hand and keep track of your time (very important especially when it comes to invoicing). Batch your work so that you can focus on one task at a time and up your productivity. 

If you don’t have the software, a spreadsheet in Google or Excel is a great alternative.

You can color-code priorities by order of importance, set the framework for each project, assign time entries to each task, and more.

 

MISTAKE #3: LACK OF DESIGNATED WORKSPACE

Working from home is great but it does require commitment. 

Making sure you have the right technology in place is one thing but having a designated workspace is another (and no, your bed and couch do not count as a proper workspace).

It’s important to make your designated at-home work environment a priority so that you can stay organized, focused without disruption, and fulfill your tasks without compromising the quality of your work.

 

MISTAKE #4: NO BACKUP PLAN FOR OUTAGES

It doesn’t happen often but, from time to time the power could go out or the wifi might be disrupted.

When you find yourself without power and/or internet it’s important to have a Plan B in place so you can pick up and go with minimal interference to your workday.

Backup ideas include – your local coffee shop, public library, a friend or relatives place, or your local business center.

 

MISTAKE #5: DISORGANIZATION

When you work from home it’s important to stay organized. Not only does disorganization wreck havoc on your workday (especially if you can’t find something you need right away) but it also takes up your precious time. 

Time management is critical to the success of a remote worker’s career and goes hand in hand with staying organized so you can stay focused. 

 

MISTAKE #6: LACK OF ROUTINE

It’s important early on to establish a routine for your workday. 

Make sure you find enough time in your routine to:

 

  • Take appropriate breaks,
  • Start and stop work within a decent time frame.

 

A routine also sets the framework for your remote employee-employer relationship. This will help set boundaries for contacting you outside of your work hours. 


MISTAKE #7: ISOLATION 

Another mistake a lot of remote workers make is isolation. 

It’s important to keep balance in your life. We all need time with friends and family, time for ourselves, and time to maintain our homes. 

Stay connected with your colleagues, friends, and family. Join networking groups like our FB Community and if you’re a parent – mom’s groups can be a tremendous support system.

(We have a great article that discusses some ways online community support groups can help you build a successful work from home business here).

 

MISTAKE #8: LIMITING FORMS OF COMMUNICATION

They say “connection is currency” however with remote work, it’s easy to become distant and less connected with others.

Often remote workers start to lean towards one method of communication only (for example email) but in order to succeed, you need to offer more than one way to connect.

It’s good to get on the phone once in a while, take advantage of video conferencing (as offered through Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom and Google G Suite) and use team communication software such as Slack in order to stay organized, focused, and communicate more effectively. 

So there you have it, the 8 mistakes remote workers make that you can avoid. We also have some great tips on helping you grow your remote business, check out those tips here. 

 

At HireMyMom we carefully screen employers taking the necessary steps to offer only the highest level of work from home positions to you. Ready to get started? Visit our enrollment page here.

 

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December 2, 2019

Get Out of Your Own Way! Face Your Fears & Rise!

Face Your Fears and RISE!

Do you think you are the only one who deals with fears? Nope not even close. According to a study by EMC Corporation, 84% of people hold on to irrational fears, not even real fears. “Irrational fears, ranging from using the coffee machine to wearing the wrong clothes, are keeping people awake and preventing them from being successful,” according to research commissioned by Mozy® by EMC.

That last part is what I want you to see: fears are preventing you from being successful.

Is that you? Do you have some fear, real or irrational, that is keeping you from being successful?

Perhaps you have a fear of:

  • Failure?
  • Success?
  • Not being good enough?
  • Being a bad parent?
  • Not making or having enough money?

What is it you are believing about yourself?

Because these fears are causing you to have limiting beliefs about yourself and your abilities.

So what can we do about it?

 

Action Item #1: Disprove the Lies

Think about what fears or thoughts you are believing.

Maybe there are several.

Write them all down.

Now I want you to write down at least 3 things that disprove that lie.

Example: I doubt myself and my abilities.

Truth: I have overcome so much in life.  I was:

  • raised in a single parent blue collar home,
  • a first generation college student graduating with honors,
  • then awarded a full scholarship to obtain my master’s degree in Scotland, 
  • started my business at age of 29

 

So FEAR is: False Evidence Appearing Real

Once you dissect your fears and see that they are mostly if not all false, you empower yourself in huge ways!

Why?

You need to overcome your fears and believe in yourself and what you do. If you don’t believe in yourself / your services, how can you expect anyone else to?

What you believe will dictate what you think on a moment by moment basis…  which leads to my next action item.

 

Action Item: Just Do It

Whatever you’re fearing, decide today to do ONE thing that will move you in the direction of overcoming that fear.

Because action is the antidote to fear.

You need to take action every day! You are only one decision from the next big thing.

We make tiny decisions all day long that can lead us in the right direction or in the wrong direction. Make a choice which direction you will allow your thoughts to take you.

Know that you may never FEEL like doing something, DO IT ANYWAY!

Practice the 5 second rule which says “if you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within 5 seconds or your brain will kill it.

When you feel yourself hesitate before doing something, count 5-4-3-2-1-GO and move towards action.

Stop trying to wait until you’re perfect or your product or service is perfect. Start now!

Another acronym for FEAR is Face Everything and Rise.

So my challenge to you is to Face it and RISE!

There is a reason God tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” We make are thoughts align with His truth.

Take action today to move away from fear and towards your goals.

You are worth it!

 

Ready to work from home? Get training to be a VA, a Bookkeeper? Post a job?

What is YOUR next step?

We’d love to help!

 

 

 

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August 5, 2019

10 Ways A Mompreneur Can Kickstart Her Business

Before we dive in, you may wonder why momentum matters in running a home-based business. As a mompreneur, momentum increases your belief, solidifies your confidence and assures that you are taking the right action steps to fulfill the mission and vision of your business. 

Maintaining momentum in spite of your obstacles and setbacks is essential to keeping you motivated while allowing you to recover from those situations and circumstances easier and more quickly. 

Here are my top 10 ways a mompreneur can kickstart her business:

 

1.RE-EVALUATE

To give your business a good kick in the pants, spend some time thinking about what has worked in your business the last 90-120 days and what hasn’t. You can’t expect to keep doing the same things that aren’t creating results you want. Yes, this will require some self reflection and honesty. If your goal is to make $5,000 per month in your business but you are spending 10-15 hours a week on actual revenue generating activities (sorry, scrolling social media every week may feel like you are working but it’s not exactly a revenue generating activity) then it’s time to admit those goals and actions steps don’t align with one another. 

With that said, now is not the time to beat yourself up over it. It’s a fresh start to make a new plan and get moving in the right direction. 

 

  1. KNOW AND LIVE YOUR PRIORITIES

Life gets crazy especially for us moms. Add a business into the mix and things can quickly spiral out of control. You probably won’t be able to achieve perfect balance in your life and you don’t need to but you can stay grounded through it by knowing and living your priorities. 

Instead of having a mile long to-do list every day that overwhelms you from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed, set your intentions for the day by what qualifies as a priority. By knowing and living by your priorities each day, you’ll improve your focus, keep your sanity and be more present for what matters most. The results will not only increase your productivity but decrease frustration and mom guilt. 

 

  1. GET FEEDBACK

As you work to kickstart your business, ask people you know and trust for feedback. A fresh set of eyes can help point out copy on your website, for example, that makes perfect sense to you because you wrote it but it’s not coming across well for someone who is not that familiar with what you do. Constructive feedback can be a great asset to you as you work to create new products, freshen up your social media and website before you start working on those areas so you know exactly where to focus your time and energy. 

This can be a hard exercise to go through. It can feel scary to open yourself up to people’s opinions, I get that but it will also prove to be invaluable. The goal is to help you figure out what works in your business and areas that need improvement so you can reach your goals. 

Some of the feedback will be good and some of it won’t be and why it’s important to have a plan on how to sort through and how to handle it. Here are some quick tips to make this process as positive as possible: 

  • Start by thanking the person for their insight and honesty. Those who give you negative feedback probably won’t be expecting you to thank them but by doing so you will earn even more respect and appreciate their honesty even though it was probably uncomfortable for them to do so. 
  • Don’t take it to heart. Just because someone criticizes an aspect of your business doesn’t mean they hate everything. You asked for their help so take it for what it is, something that you need to look into further and look at with a fresh perspective. Nothing more. 
  • Ask questions. Is there something you could do better? Do they have suggestions for improvements?  You never know what helpful solutions someone would share if you take the time to ask some simple questions. 

 

  1. CREATE A PLAN

It may sound cliche but “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is a very true statement. As a mompreneur, you have to know what generates leads, results and revenue for your business (and what doesn’t). Don’t put it off, create a plan today around those activities and commit to them every day without fail. Keep your plan on your desk, in your day planner, set a calendar alert each morning to help keep you from distractions, wake up an hour early if you need to before the house is filled with chaos so you can focus and feel accomplished going into your day. The point is to find what works for you and stay committed to it. 

If you are struggling with this part of your business, check out our post 10 Strategies To Land Your First Client to help you create a plan around activities that will help kickstart your business. 

 

  1. TURN UP THE SOCIAL MEDIA

Have you been using social media the last few months to its full potential? Your ideal client is out there and they need what you have to offer but they have to be able to find you. You don’t need to master every platform either. Leverage your strengths and put them to work for you. 

Love doing live video? Use Facebook live to give tips, a how-to that can solve a problem for your client (when they realize they don’t want to do it, they can reach out and hire you!), create a blog post with a tutorial and share it on your social media pages. Whatever route you choose, the goal is to be consistent. You can’t expect to show up on your social media pages once a month and have potential clients flooding your in-box. 

Instagram is a great tool for networking, creating a community and collaborating. Be sure to check out these practical tips for leveraging Instagram. 

 

  1. CREATE A WEBSITE

If you aren’t generating enough leads in your business and don’t have a website, it’s probably time to start one. It doesn’t have to be complicated and you don’t have to spend thousands designing one. There are great platforms out there like Wix and Squarespace that are user friendly and can help get you started quickly to showcase your work, client testimonials, products and portfolio. Having a platform to market is important to your overall success. 

If you have a website, maybe it’s time to take it up a notch by freshening it up, add a new blog post, client feedback, project examples and create a freebie that can help build an email list. 

 

  1. COLLABORATIONS

To kick start a business there is nothing like forming great partnerships and collaborations to help you do that. Reach out to fellow mompreneurs in your field and ask them if there are ways you can support them and feature them in exchange for the same courtesy. I believe in being blessed to be a blessing and when we support others, it comes back ten fold. 

Make this a regular thing on social media. For example, every Monday you could do #MompreneurMonday where you feature another mompreneur to highlight in your Instagram stories or #FeatureFriday where you feature a mompreneur and a cool project she is working on. If you do logo design work, reach out to a website designer at the beginning of the week and let her know that you are working on a #FeatureFriday post and would love to highlight one of her projects. Ask if she would be willing to do the same for you and feature one of your logo designs. Be intentional and set a time for the two of you to post on Friday so you know there is a mutual commitment (morning posts seem to do better than afternoon or evening posts).  

You will find collaborations like this can be a great way to support others and get exposure for your business too. As a bonus tip, on Fridays you can also use the #FridayIntroductions hashtag. Whatever you decide, be creative and have fun with it!

 

  1. FEATURE YOUR PREVIOUS PROJECTS

Don’t be shy about showcasing your work. Once a week create a post on social media to share a project you worked on for a client. Share some fun facts about the project and give your client a shout out in the process by tagging their Facebook page and Instagram accounts. 

 

  1. SPECIAL PRICING

To give your business a kickstart, put together some quick products and services you can offer for a special price. The key is to create urgency by giving the special pricing an end date. “Now through the end of August, I am helping eCommerce clients get started or rebrand with a custom logo for $_____ but this special pricing is only good through _________ {end date}.”

You are probably not the only business owner out there who needs to give their business a jump start and special pricing with a limited time offer could be exactly what your potential client needs to take action. 

 

  1. HIREMYMOM

Did you know for the past 12 years HireMyMom has been helping freelancing women and moms just like you find quality, legitimate work from home jobs and clients? By joining our community, you can confidently share your skills and look for high quality positions and clients as well as have access to more training and resources to help you build your business. Click HERE to learn more about what we have to offer and become a member today.  

 

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February 11, 2019 0 Comments

5 Keys to Success as a Mompreneur

Being a mom and running your own business is no easy feat. You have one hand on raising the next generation and the other slaying your day as a mom boss. So how do you do it? We’ve got 5 keys to success to help you. 

Be Passionate

First of all, Be PASSIONATE about what you do. If you love what you do, working and making an income are met with enthusiasm and eagerness. Not only will you enjoy it, your customers and clients will enjoy doing business with someone who truly loves what they do. If you do not enjoy your line of work, consider what other options you have. Do what you love and the money will follow.

Find Your Balance

BALANCE is KEY! You must make a conscious effort to give adequate time to each area of your life that is important to you. That includes your business, your health and wellness, your marriage, your family, your faith as well as recreation / relaxation. Periodically review where you are in your business and personal life and make adjustments as necessary to meet your goals and to keep your life in balance. Finding balance is one thing; keeping it is another. You’ll want to consciously keep tabs on where you need to make tweaks and adjustments to keep your life as balanced as you can.

Keep Learning

Be a CONTINUAL LEARNER and frequently seek ways to learn, grow and improve your business. New technology, apps and tools are continually being brought to the market. Make a point to regularly seek out new things to learn. Take online training. There are so many options out there. Ask for feedback and suggestions from those you trust — this includes your customers, friends, family, networking colleagues, etc. Don’t let your business get stale.

Make New Connections

NETWORK! Look for ways to network with other virtual professionals and small business owners both online and in person. Attend local networking meetings, join online groups, interact to serve and to learn. Be open to collaborating with other small businesses. You will not only gain business insight, you may make some great new friends and connections.

Remember the Golden Rule

Have awesome CUSTOMER SERVICE. Treat others the way you would want to be treated! Clients and customers are generally very loyal to a business that has wonderful customer service. Make every effort to make your clients feel valued and special. Go above and beyond when you can and let them know how much you appreciate their business. 

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January 3, 2019 0 Comments

3 Steps to an Amazing New Year

The beginning of a new year is always a great time to reflect on where we are and where we want to be. Focusing on where we can improve and making a plan to get there is imperative. Here are 3 steps to getting your year off to a great start. 

 

First Things First: Get Organized

The new year is a great time to get organized. Start with your desk. If your desk is messy, it will keep you from being productive. Keep only what’s necessary on your desk such as a to-do list and the current project you are working on. Create a filing system for everything else so that you can work without the distractions of everything else. 

Once your desk is organized it will help you focus better on your tasks at hand and motivate you to organize other areas.

 

Second: Set Small Goals 

Once you’ve gotten organized, set some small goals. Goal setting can be intimidating. Who wants to set some monumental goals only to never achieve them? You may have a big goal but you may find it easier to break it down into small daily goals. Once you have those set, you can add weekly goals and monthly goals.

Take some time and think about the different areas of your life (self-care, marriage, kids, health, fitness, career, spiritual, social, etc.) Now set aside a few minutes to set some small, achievable goals. Next turn those into a daily to-do list.

By setting monthly goals, you won’t be overwhelmed. And you won’t feel like quitting if you have a small set back. It’s all about making progress not expecting perfection.

 

Third: Accomplishing More with Time Blocking 

If you aren’t familiar with time blocking, it is a way to schedule your time for maximum productivity. You take your to-do list and create blocks of time on your calendar to complete those tasks. It reduces interruptions and allows you to focus on that one task until its done. You can start by setting up one day for time blocking which may consist of a 30 minute block for email, one hour for social media, and a two-to-four hour block for writing or a project that you want to complete.  The idea is to focus exclusively on the task at hand so you are not starting and stopping and wasting time. If you’d like more insight on time blocking, watch this video.

So there are your 3 steps to an amazing new year in 2019!

 

 

 

 

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February 12, 2018 0 Comments

5 Ways to Achieve Success

Success looks different for everyone, but it’s something we all strive for.  Whether success is a career goal, or a certain way of flexible living for you and your family, you can take specific steps to get there.  With a clear plan and a few tips, you can achieve the success you’re seeking.

Define it

What does success look like to you? Just because someone you know feels successful in their life, doesn’t mean you ought to achieve the same things just because.  This can lead you down a path of striving for things that truly don’t mean much to you.

How do you enjoy spending your time?  What would a successful life look like to you? Take some time to write these thoughts down.  Once you know what you’re striving for, it makes it easier to prioritize and eliminate those things that don’t fit on your path to success.

Set goals

Goals are always very important and very motivating! Start by breaking down your vision of success into achievable goals.  For example, if one of your definitions of success is more flexibility in your workday, you might strive to work from home.  Goal #1 would be finding work from home sites, Goal #2 could be applying to at least 3 jobs per week, and so on.

Work on yourself

Working on yourself first is the best way to gain momentum and improve your outlook.  A positive outlook is always conducive to greater success! Start by doing what you really want to be doing, as much as possible, even if it’s on the side at first.  For example, you could start a side job or business, or paint or do another hobby on the side.

Another way to work on yourself and make yourself happy first is to work on self improvement, if that’s your thing.  This can look like a spiritual practice, getting deeper in your faith, meditation, etc.

Make time for social

According to Time.com, “socially isolated people are more than twice as likely to die from heart disease as those with a solid social circle.”  Despite your outlook on what success means, maintaining a healthy social life is key.

When you’re focusing heavily on your goals and successes – career or personal – you can start to neglect your social world.  It’s a really important part of health and life, and may even be another key to success.  Socializing is another part of networking as well, which can lead to job opportunities, business ventures, and so on.

Always keep learning

The smartest, most successful people are lifelong learners.  You can start a book habit – one new book per week (or month), depending on what works in your schedule.

Take time to read news or pursue an interesting hobby on a daily basis.  Take interest in new things.  Subscribe to information magazines and publications.  Take a local course.  Always work to grow your knowledge base! You never know what will strike a cord, change your path, or simply boost your perspective on your way to success.

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April 24, 2017 0 Comments

5 Tips for Better Work-Life Balance

We all hear about the elusive “work-life balance” concept.  It’s the place where our careers and personal lives become balanced.  We don’t feel overworked, we have enough time for friends and family, and so on.  While this is a great concept in theory, and one we should strive for, it can be quite difficult to make it happen.

Since reducing stress and making more time for those things that are important to you is truly crucial, read along for some of our best tips in increasing your work-life balance, and hopefully, your quality of life.

Declare your priorities

When you figure out what’s most important in your life, it becomes easier to figure out where to place your time.  If you’re working very hard to advance your career, perhaps that’s your priority for the next six months.  On the other hand, if you’ve been pulling 60 hour weeks and your priority is family time, you may have to re-evaluate a bit.  Everyone will have different priorities, and they will often change depending on the season of your life.

To start to create that feeling of satisfaction and balance in your life, start by examining priorities and place more of your time there.

Take time for yourself

It’s important to unplug when you aren’t in “work” mode! And it should be noted that work mode should not be 24/7.  This can be difficult as work from home moms, but it’s a necessity in gaining balance.

Take time for yourself: schedule something exciting, keep weekends for friends, family, errands, and fun, and generally create space for the good things in life.  Yes, work is important and a huge part of our lives, but if that’s all you do, you’ll quickly feel out of balance.  Don’t feel guilty about making yourself a priority; you’ll be a better mom, friend, and employee for it!

Manage your time

Are you spending more time than you thought on work tasks?  Keep track of your time for a while – both business and personal.  Once you see some patterns forming, create a solid schedule.  This will allow you to keep things in order and allow you to see where your free time is.  WHen you know where you’re spending too much (or not enough) time, you can readjust.

A lot of the work of establishing a solid work-life balance is in seeing where your time is going.  If you don’t keep track for a while, how will you know?  Put in some of the effort in the beginning and you can truly see where your time is being spent.

Make time for fun

For most people, a large part of work-life balance will include relaxation, family and friends.  You still have to have fun, even if your current priority is work or career advancement. It’s crucial to stay social, especially if you work from home.  Keep those social appointments and work them into your busy schedule whenever possible!

Take breaks

It’s important to stick to your guns regarding vacations, time off, and breaks.   Vacations and breaks don’t need to be elaborate, but there needs to be a definitive break from work on a consistent basis.

In our current culture, it’s easy to put these things off because so much needs to be done.  Fortunately, these things will still be there when you return! This isn’t to say that a great work ethic isn’t a wonderful thing, but too much of anything isn’t useful.

Work towards a balanced sense of work and life by following the tips above.  When you see where your time is going, focus on your priorities, and stay committed to what’s best for you, you’ll find these things are much more balanced in your life.

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March 13, 2017 0 Comments

5 Ways to Refresh During Winter

While we’re still in the middle of winter, we can definitely see the light of spring! Although many places have had a very mild winter, it’s still a more cozy and chilly time of year.  Additionally, people tend to suffer from bad moods and darker days during this season. We often talk about spring cleaning, but how can we refresh ourselves in the winter?

We’ve compiled some tips and ideas to press on throughout the rest of this winter season.

Schedule some relaxation

If you’re able to free up the time, schedule some time for yourself.  Whether you enjoy a nice spa day, massage, or a new yoga class, select something that promotes relaxation.

This is the time of year of sickness and feeling a bit rundown, so it’s imperative to keep yourself relaxed and pampered.

Find something fun

Look into a new office supply or something fun to look at in your office.  This is small, but adding a new touch, paint color, or item to your workspace (or home!) can really brighten up your mood.

Another option is to re-evaluate your furniture situation and look into something that will make you more comfortable.  Finding something new and exciting can also be about function, and it’s important that you stay healthy and happy at your workstation.

Refresh how you’re working

Take a look at how you’re currently working – your schedule, to do lists, family scheduling, and so on.  Do some research here and look at some different options if you’re feeling a bit stuck.  You may find that another option is more productive than what you’re currently doing.

Prioritize health

‘Tis the season for illness! Even though we’re moving into spring, there’s still a lot of cold and flu going around. Do your best to boost immunity and increase your family’s health as we move into these final weeks of winter.  Whether you prefer supplements, exercise, eating healthy, or lots of fluids, amp up the efforts to stay healthy.

Schedule something fun

In addition to relaxation, scheduling something fun can keep your spirits high this time of year.

Even if you can’t always get away on a caribbean vacation, you can plan a smaller trip or weekend outing with your family.  You can also look into setting up a few weeks of play dates and lunches with friends, or scheduling a dinner party for an upcoming weekend.

Spring is coming very soon, and it’s best that we enjoy and utilize these final weeks of winter.  Soon, we’ll be enjoying time outside and will get busier with schedules.  Use this time of year to refresh your mind, body, spirit, and work life and you’ll be ready to tackle the next season!

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February 13, 2017 0 Comments

4 Ways to Save Time During the Week

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Between being a working mom and juggling home, family, and other obligations, weekdays can be a mad rush of timing and scheduling issues.  It’s important to keep the peace as much as possible, but that’s tricky when there’s so much going on Monday thru Friday.  Read along for some best practices in saving time during the bustling workweek!

Get into a groove

Schedule and routines are helpful for everyone involved.  Start by setting a general weekday schedule that’s appropriate for the whole family.  Write out a list or calendar that features everything that needs to be done in a typical week.  From here, create your schedule for what needs done, who needs to be where, and where free time is located.

When you have a schedule that is fairly the same week-to-week, it’s much easier to handle spontaneous changes, as well as find the time that you can be more productive or spend with friends and family.  When you don’t know where your time is going, it can feel chaotic and things can begin to get missed.

Plan meals

Weekdays are characterized by work and a lot of running around, so cooking can be a time-consuming process.  To eliminate some of the time spent prepping and shopping during the week, ensure that this is done on the weekends, or a specifically designated day.

If you have several free hours on Wednesdays, maybe that’s your time to shop and food prep.  Find out what’s best for you and your schedule.  Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon to plan your meals for the week.  Utilize Pinterest and other cooking sites to find recipes or ideas, then build your shopping list and get everything done in one trip.  It’s also helpful to spend a few hours prepping the food, or at least the items that can be done ahead of time. This eliminates a lot of day-to-day thinking about meal prep, and can also save money!

Set it all up

Plan your weekends! Although weekends are typically used for family, friends, and spontaneous adventure, they can also help you a lot during the workweek.  Spend an hour or so on the weekends to set up for the week ahead.

Create your to-do lists, schedules, meal plans, and anything else that is part of the forecast for the upcoming week.  This is a great mental exercise as well, as it keeps things much more calm and organized.

Know what you need

Sometimes saving time involves others that are available to help you.  Set up a carpool for your kids, which will give you more time to work or run errands during the week.  There are also meal exchanges, play dates, and other family set ups that give your family a break during the week.  It can be helpful to look into some of these options, especially on your busiest days.  Babysitters and caretakers are also incredibly useful to free up your time during the week.  Although it’s an investment, typically your time will be worth it to ensure that you’re able to get done what needs to be done during that time.

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