1. No Focus.  I have too many ideas and I’m committed to all of them.  I run a website consulting business, a home fitness for women business and this blog for WAHM balance.  I don’t know how to present myself.  As ONE person, or THREE?  So far, I’ve gotten no answer to this question… even though I’ve asked.
2. Fear of Competition. I look at other websites that are similar to mine. I get jealous of what they have accomplished. I believe there is no way I can compete, so why should I bother?
3. Guilt.  This one cracks me up because, logically, I know it’s silly. When I network online with others in my “field” or post a comment with a link to try and build traffic to my site, I feel like I’m stealing.  Who am I to take attention from them and try to turn it to me?  Who am I to ask them to “share” their followers?  When I actually CAN compete with a lower price, I feel bad for making others look over-priced.
4. Lack of Support.  Okay… I don’t want anyone to take personal offense here.  This is my issue and I’m probably not aiming it at anyone in particular.  People don’t understand what I’m doing.  They think I should be out working for someone else earning a paycheck.  They don’t purchase from me.  They don’t tell other people what I’m doing.  They don’t believe what I’m doing is real, why should I?
5. Delay of Gratification. I can spend days on a project or idea and have it go nowhere.  If I were working for someone else, I’d still get a paycheck… on a schedule… whether the idea worked or not.  I don’t always see immediate results from my work-at-home efforts and I’m impatient.
6. Lack of Discipline.  I’m not going to get fired if I don’t work.  It’s sunny outside and I want to go enjoy it. Who’s gonna stop me? Oh, there’s a sink full of dishes that needs attending to. Let me just finish those up and I’ll get back to the website. I’d better get my workout in before it’s too late. Aren’t I supposed to be spending time with my kids? I know I have to make a schedule… but I don’t have to.
7. The Failure List.  I HAVE A FAILURE LIST!  (And if I sat here long enough, I could make it even longer.) I’m doomed!

Maybe tomorrow I’ll come back and tell myself off for this…

During my recent great therapy session, my therapist and I were discussing road blocks that I have in my work-at-home mom career. (Hmm… road blocks… another analogy.) What is stopping me from moving forward? Well… I’m not an “expert” on anything. “Be the expert“ and “You don’t necessarily have to be the expert, you just have to appear to be one” are comments that I’ve heard over and over again in the WAHM community. (Just to be clear, I’m not entirely sure this is what was said, only what I heard.) I can’t work that way. I think that’s lying and being phoney! Whether I heard it right, or not, whether it’s being phoney, or not, doesn’t even matter. What matters is that somewhere in my mind, I believed it. I believed that I had to be an expert or I couldn’t get anywhere with my work.

However, just as soon as I said that out loud, a new thought popped into my mind.  Chicken Soup for the Soul!  Ah ha!  I don’t HAVE to be an expert!  I don’t HAVE to know everything! Who says I can’t use other people’s information and opinions (with permission, of course) to pull that together? Seriously… Chicken Soup for the Soul wasn’t written by one person. It is a compilation of other stories presented by two people (Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen).  I can do that!  I can use my vision and my knowledge of the subject and fill in the blanks with information others already know.  DUH!  Seems like a no-brainer NOW!  (Those road blocks can be rough.)

Now there are messages out there everywhere confirming this thought and I can retrain my tricky little mind into believing a new reality.   On Twitter this morning, @AWHWorg said “Don’t wait until you are ‘expert’ enough! Find other experts & great resources. Be the talent scout. Ask Q’s for your customers. Get set GO!“  And I didn’t previously follow her on Twitter.  Someone else retweeted her comment for me to find.  And then I found this article: You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Be Successful (different subject, same bullet points). 

The universe is talking to me. 

P.S. The “work” I was referring to in this blog is for my Home Fitness for Women website, in case you want to visit.

So pardon me while I whine and complain for a few minutes.  Hopefully this will get me out of my Monday morning funk and get me moving again…

I’m tired!  I’m tired of doing the same damn thing over and over again and ending up right where I started. 

My kitchen sink is full of dishes.  My dishwasher is also full of dishes and running.  I know I did them yesterday!  My kitchen floor is dirty.  You know… the one I scrubbed on my hands and knees last weekend despite the fact that I’ve had back pain for a month?  And I can’t get to my children’s beds to kiss them good night in the evenings without threat of getting sucked into the quick-sand of toys and clothes scattered across the room.  Didn’t we just clean?  UGH!  I could go on and on.  I won’t though, because I’m guessing that you’ve been there, done that.  You know exactly what I mean, don’t you?  And yes, I have met the FlyLady.  And YES, I am being too picky!!  (And yes, I did have to go back and put that second “o” in the “too” in that sentence because I have issues like that toO!) 

So, what’s up with this twenty pounds? I’ve lost this same damn 20 pounds over and over and over again.  I should SOOooo know better than to ask.  Because I already know ALL the answers.  Yes, I quit smoking in October.  Yes, I ate too much during the holidays (was that four months ago already?).  Yes, I’ve been working out and yes I know that muscle weighs more than fat.  Yes, it probably has something to do with my level of stress and my prescription medication (which I won’t be able to keep taking now that I don’t have the insurance to pay for it).  Yes, I am getting older and my metabolism is slowing down.  SO WHAT?  Have any of these reasons EVER made that mushroom top look more attractive?  No!  I didn’t think so!  (Did I forget to mention the second serving of chili with cheese and sour cream I had last night?  Or the cocktail I had?  Oh Pleeeease!  That has NOTHING to do with anything!)

And speaking of exercise, why is it that every time I start feeling like I’m making progress, something happens that forces me to stop?  Last year I was starting to train to run a 5K.  I’ve never ever been able to run more than a 1/4 mile without stopping, but I was making progress for the first time ever and ….  Oops!  I was in an accident and hit my head (bad enough to warrant an MRI) which took me off of the exercise agenda for weeks.  That was the end of that.  When I started running again, my shins gave out.  Then when I started again, my back went out.  What the heck?  Is there some cosmic force telling me I shouldn’t exercise for some reason?  Well, guess what?  I’m not listening!  I’m going to get back on that treadmill if it kills me!  (Which it might.)

And now I have next to no income and HAVE to get my website businesses going.  I HAVE to find some creative way to spur business and make this profitable or my children don’t get to eat.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to be creative under that kind of pressure?  (Okay… me and the other half of the population these days.  Am I preaching to the choir?  Sorry.)

And… and… and….  How am I doing with this self-pity party so far?  Yeah, I thought so.  But sometimes ya just gotta vent!

Yes, I know that I have complete control over ALL of this.  And I’m going to go clean my dishes and get on my treadmill (where my creative juices will start to flow) and then I’ll get some website work done. 

Because I can!

Because I won’t quit!

See?  I feel better already!

As you probably know, my position at work was eliminated a week and a half ago. (i.e. I was fired… and the reason given: “it’s just business”.) Needless to say, after working for a brand new company for 11 months and having been promoted twice in that time frame, being let go was a rather big shock. Yes, I’m sure it’s for the best.

So, obviously we are going to add a large amount of financial stress into this equation since my unemployment benefits will be almost $200 less a week than my paycheck and I will be losing my insurance (for all the good it did me anyway). One of my prescriptions is $220 a month for the GENERIC! I’m waiting for my doctor to give me a solution to that problem.

My back hurts like hell! I threw it out coughing when I had a chest cold a month ago. I’ve gotten a massage, two chiropractic adjustments and done quite a bit of walking and stretching. I was doing well for a couple of weeks, but the recent stress has led to muscle tension which has led me to walking like a 90 year old man again.

I had a fight with my husband last week about an old unresolved issue. He has forgiven me for things that I had gotten myself into during my “mid-life crisis”, but I have been unable to forgive him for what preceded the entire breakdown in our relationship. Obviously, there is alot more work to be done in that area on my part.

And then there is the issue of what-do-I-do-now? Again, I am faced with the question of “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My slate is clean. I have a fresh place to start. What on Earth do I do with it? I think I want to work for myself again. I want to pick up my website consulting and my fitness mentoring where I left it and make it all work this time. But who am I to be successful at that? I know alot and I am organized and resourceful, but I’m certainly no expert!

Believe it or not, I actually managed to get all of these thoughts out and discussed in an hour. We discussed what has happened, how and why to get around my roadblocks, and she gave me an incredible amount of confidence in the process. I wasn’t quite sure if she was my psychotherapist or if she had transformed into a life coach. I believe she has managed to be both. I’ve seen her off and on for at least two years now and we’ve made incredible progress, especially lately. Today was definitely one of the great therapy sessions. There was so much energy in the room that she actually started to “get goosebumps” and cry. Yes, her. Not me. Although I did leave with an entirely different attitude than I walked into that room with.

Look out world! Here I come!

By the way, if you are ever in need of a great therapist in Western NC, her name is Roberta Moore and her practice is Conscious Choices.

Balancing Your Home and Business Life without Having Super Powers

Article by: Aurelia Williams

For moms who work from home, balancing the home and business sides of their lives can feel downright impossible, especially when the reason they began working from home was so they could spend more time with family. However, many home businesses actually fail because moms don’t manage to balance business and home life. How can you juggle your family’s needs, your business needs and occasionally find some time for your needs without being a super hero?

The first thing any mom should do to achieve balance is to get the family involved. If your children and husband support you, you will find that they interrupt less often and are more likely to pitch in to get household chores done. You’re probably thinking that will happen the day the moon turns to blue cheese, right? However, if you mention that you need to get a major project done and will be able to buy a pizza and rent a video when you are paid, you may be surprised at how quickly everyone pitches in to help out.

If you have young children, they may not be able to understand the concept of waiting for a reward. To get your younger children involved, try explaining what you are doing in very simple terms and having them help you. Set up a small desk or table for your toddlers and add crayons and paper so they can help you with your work by drawing some pictures or writing a letter. Children that are a bit older can put stamps on envelopes and seal them, paperclip papers together or do other simple organizational tasks.

Of course, no matter how supportive your family and friends are, they are not going to be happy if you work 15 hours a day. Make sure that you ask for uninterrupted time to do your job or run your business, but also make sure that you schedule time for your family and friends. While you are making up that schedule, don’t forget your significant other. If you sit at your computer all evening after the children are tucked away for the night, you may end up with some serious relationship issues!

Once your family and friends are involved and you’ve scheduled time for them in your life, it is time to consider a few ways to make the most of your valuable work time. While you may be tempted to work non-stop during the time you have dedicated to your business, you should actually try to take some breaks. Taking a half-hour walk or having lunch away from your desk can really help you recharge your mind and keeps your body from growing stiff and tired. When you sit back down, you can do so with a clearer view of your goals and fresh energy and focus.

Also, don’t be afraid to make a “to do” list for your business. Write the four or five items you absolutely must do on your list and promise yourself that you will get them done before you visit your favorite forums or check your email. This can really help you get more work accomplished in less time.

So, although you may not have super powers, you can still have a home life, a business life and some time for yourself. The next time you are feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, ask your family for some help and try out a few of these great ideas for balancing your life.

Article by: Aurelia Williams is the author of Journey To Joy, an inspiring eBook that explores many obstacles that women face. It also provides essential action steps, worksheets, resources and an hour long Balancing Your Life Audio.

If you’ve been thinking of starting an online business, but wasn’t sure if it was right for you – I just found something that might help. It’s a quick quiz that will show you if you’re suited for an at home career, what type of business you might set up and additional tips to help you get started.

The quiz only takes a couple of minutes and you can take it right here:

Online Business Quiz

Good luck!

It’s the dream of many working moms or moms who are faced with the need to go back to work and leave their little ones behind. If you’ve wondered what it takes to be a Full Time WAHM (work at home mom), this post includes a resource to help you in that very direction.

Let’s be clear, running an online business from your home takes careful planning, discipline and energy. When you work outside the home, it’s easy to separate work and family life. When you bring the two together, chaos can erupt and there can be a big learning curve to getting it right.

But you can beat that learning curve!

One way to do it is to learn from other moms who have been there, done that. Luckily Just Add Sweat’s “Full Time WAHM Success Blueprint” brings you the success stories of 22 moms all earning a full time income from home.

You’ll learn exactly how they make money, the top 3 techniques they use to grow their business, their biggest mistakes (so you can avoid them!) and what finally brought them to a full time income.

Learn about these 22 amazing ladies and get your copy at:
http://www.justaddsweat.com/fulltimewahm/

Not only will their stories inspire you, but they’ll give you the practical advice you need to become a Full Time WAHM.

To your success,
K.C.

Website traffic tip #1: Twitter (and other social media sites) actually work!

TheLazySlacker’s website is a blog about how to make money from your blog. Okay, nothing fantastically new in the concept department, but he is starting from scratch and posting about all of his successes and failures, what’s working and what isn’t. Why not learn from his trials, right? I would have subscribed to his feed anyway, just out of curiosity, but he also offered money for me to do so. Now THAT really got my attention!

Website traffic tip #2: Give them a reason to pay attention!

I keep reading his posts… and commenting… and watching his other comments. This guy really has something working here. In a short period of time, he’s gathered quite a following and his blog is offering a lot of good useful information on website traffic. Time will tell if he actually makes his goal on website income, but with website traffic like that coming in already, I’m willing to bet he does. And if he does, I’m gonna have the benefit of learning from his experience. I’ve subscribed to his weekly newsletter too, so I don’t miss anything and can monitor his progress.

Website traffic tip #3: Give them a reason to keep coming back!

Anyway, I wanted to share his blog with you. I think it’s worth checking out. (That and he offered me the possibility of more money for doing so.)

The links to his October contests are embedded above, but if you want to go straight to his home page, here’s the link: http://thelazyslacker.com. Tell him I sent you.

However, I am never one to give up and leave my clients stranded.  So I started doing some research.  I found out that there are several different file formats and sizes required when delivering a quality logo design, including vector format.  (I don’t even know what a vector medium is.)   I researched prices… found out that some of them aren’t that bad.  I found companies that will provide you with more than one custom logo design from more than one designer.  What a great idea!  If one designer doesn’t “catch your drift”, another one probably will and you have more to choose from.

What I found that I liked:

• LogoYes – A pretty nifty little do-it-yourself logo design website.  You choose your icon and text and arrange them however you want.  You can play with it for free and only pay when you’re ready. If you are looking for something simple, this could be the way to go.  (They do custom logo designs too.)
• Professional Logo in Minutes! – Just follow the three easy steps to create your logo. Once you get your logo just right, pay only $49 and the unique logo you have designed will be yours to use wherever you need.
• LogoDesignPros.com – 4 logo samples created by 2 designers within 2 to 3 days for only $198.  Free unlimited revisions, after-sale support, complete ownership rights, 100% money-back guarantee.
• My Site Logo - Home of the $89 logo.

Which one fits your image?

Now, I also know that my WAHM client who was looking for the custom logo design in the first place, was really looking to give another WAHM graphic designer her business.  So, if you have any recommendations, please do comment and share your referral!!

Nicole is so smart!  (And so am I for following her lead.)

Thanks Nicole!   (Again)