April 2009

4/15/2009:

No competition allowed.
 
As a work at home mom with a business of my own, I've come to realize that there are other work at home entrepreneurial women out there that have some great ideas - some of them similar to mine.  While in a cut-throat business world, these women might be considered competition, in the true spirit of motherhood (we love and nuture everyone) I consider these women not competition, but rather other like-minded entrepreneurs who have a slightly different perspective than I.
 
Why is it important to look at it in this manner?  Do you know how many wonderful relationships and working business partnerships I've formed because I've contacted and work with the "competition"?  As women we work hard.  As mothers we nuture each other.  Why should this not carry over into our professional world?
 
My secret - if you can't beat 'em.  Join 'em.  You won't regret that you did.

4/1/2009:

You are never too old to need your mom.

seriously, never.  I speak with my mother nearly every day,  and she always has loads of tremendous advice.  I remember a time when I thought my mother would never have anything to say to me that i would ever find 1) interesting, and 2) worth my time - hey I was a teenager once.  But I'm so glad that I saw the error of that thinking.

mothers can be found everywhere - whether it's your actual mom, or a good friend, or a neighbor down the street - not a single one of us is going to be without the need for a listening shoulder, a great piece of advice, or a good friend.  As moms we need that support because nine times out of ten, we are the main support system for those around us.  we need someone we can go to when we feel in need of a little extra lifting.

So, pick up your phone and call your mom.  It's never too late.

March 2009

3/15/2009:

Dream The Life ...  Then Live The Dream.

What exactly can I possibly mean by this?  Growing up my mother always told me that I needed to make goals and aspirations.  If I had a set goal in mind, it would be fairly easy to find a way to accomplish that goal.  I found that she was indeed telling the truth about this.  When a person has a set goal in mind - it's much easier to focus their actions to achieve such a goal.  So - Dream The Life.  Decide what it is you want from working from home, whether it be more time with your family, more income to create financial security...whatever it is, you set that goal.

Now, Live The Dream.  You've got it.  You've got your mind set on that goal, what do you need to do to accomplish it?  Do you need to take on 4 more clients?  Do you need to set your working hours to a rigid schedule?  Whatever it is - find the actions that will eventually lead you to your dream.

Dream The Life, and Live The Dream.  The WAHPM daily affirmation.

3/2/2009

Never Give Up- Never Surrender!
I admit, I've stolen this one from an Army friend of mine - and quite possibly from the Army itself, but it's still solid advice.
I found one thing while trying to promote "Confessions" to the wider book marketing public, and that was - most people just didn't get it.  Unless they were a wife/mother/mom-trepreneur themselves (which by the way is about 50% of the population, give or take) they simply didn't understand or see the market for such a book.  (This is where I have to note that most publishers/distributors that I spoke with were of the Male variety).
I must have received about fourty "no's" before I got one "yes".  However, I never gave up.  I didn't let those bad feelings take over.  I kept going.  I believed in my book, and knew there would be at least one more person out there that did too.  And wouldn't you know it- there was.

So, the Secret to Success this week-  keep going.  No matter how tough it may get, the reward will be there in the end.

February 2009

2/15/2009

2/1/2009:

 

January 2009

1/15/2009

Customized Ring Tones

This fun little tool - that I discovered with my first cell phone - can be a great business tool - especially when working with kids.  Use your phone to program a new ring tone for business calls, and one for family - get as detailed as you want, but the key here is to let your kids help you do it.  When they hear the phone ringing with that special little jingle, they will recognize that it's a work call, a family call, or even a call from a friend.  Believe it or not, they will behave accordingly as well!
Customized Ring Tones - The WAHPM way of involving your kids in your phone calls.

1/1/2009

Happy Little Helping Hands

Imagine sitting in your office with your desk neatly cleaned and all your filing neatly tucked away in it's appropriate places.  Ok, now - open your eyes.  Is it really that way?  If so, I commend you - you've managed to do something I always struggle with.

I've found recently, however, that my children (the 6 and 10 year olds anyway) are always wanting to help me out in my work.  Enter those piles and piles of papers on my desk.  They are great at finding the appropriate folders and stowing them away neatly.  I admit that it might be faster to do it myself, but in the end, they get to help out, I've accomplished a task that was daunting, and we've had some quality time to share.

That's it.  My tip for success this year.  make your New Year's Resolution to get Organized, and then let your family do it.