WAHM Tip Thursday: It’s Not all Butterflies and Unicorns

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Working at home is the bee’s knees. It is delightful, empowering, exciting…but it’s HARD!

It’s not like I expected my days to be about reading blog posts in my peejays, but a few things have come as a surprise or that I just plain underestimated.  Here’s a list of things I have learned (and improved on) in my short time as a WAHM:

–Having Firm “Working Hours” is Critical. Treat it like any other job, arrive on time, and get to work. I get up and go through the “get ready for work” routine. I feel like a complete schlump all day if I don’t do this. A schlumpy Franticmommy is an unproductive Franticmommy.

Set Boundaries: Encourage friends and family to respect your work hours. A few friends and family members seem to think that. since I’m “home,” I must be available for surprise drop-ins and long coffee chats. Just remember, just because someone knocks on your front door doesn’t mean you have to answer it.

Know When to Play: On the flip side of the above comment, know when to say YES to lunch invitations and networking events. Trust me, if you don’t, you risk becoming Crazy-Cat-Lady-like and starting to talk to your food and potted plants. Plus, it helps your community see that you have NOT been abducted by aliens or “fallen off the face of the earth.”

–Switch Gears: Turn a blind eye to household chores from 8-5 (or whatever your designated work hours are). During the day, we must be ruled by the Almighty Dollar and conduct business. The dishes may need washing, and laundry may be piling up, but don’t lose focus by allowing home tasks to seep into work time. Dust is not mold, people. House crap work can wait until after 5:00 p.m.

Know Your Power Hours: The early morning hours (5:00 a.m.- ish) are my prime work time. It is my most productive time, so I try to accomplish my more difficult tasks. By 3:00 p.m., I am a worthless (tired) piece-o-poo-poo, and that’s OK. Find those peak hours of the day and utilize them to the best of your ability.

Start a Nest Egg. Having a little stash of cash for emergencies is a good feeling—it’s pretty darn empowering. There have been times when major clients have disappeared, fear and uncertainty have taken over the business community, and consumers have stopped spending. During these quiet times, having a nest egg to pull from may be the only difference between hanging on until things pick up and needing to close the doors of your business.

Take Breaks: Focusing on work is fantastic, but know when to push away and get outside to smell the roses. Breathing your sticky air all day long makes for a cluttered and confused brain by the end of the day.  Even a stroll to the mailbox is a good thing and will clear your head and give you some much-needed Vitamin D. It also prevents your arse from becoming 2-ax-handles-wide from sitting all day.

Never Stop Prospecting: Life may be good, and you may feel you have “all the work I need,” but that can change in a heartbeat. Allow daily time to cultivate new clients and look for additional work.

Count Your Blessings: And count them often! You will live, love, and cherish this season of life.

 

You got this!

More Resources for Your Side Hustle Journey

MOM BOSSING

MOM BOSSING: The Freedom to Create the Business You Love is a book filled with personal stories, resources, support, wisdom, and encouragement from a solopreneur who has worked as a mom boss. This step-by-step guide shares the truth, fears, tears, and cheers of being a mom who is building a business empire on her own terms. If you are looking for a new career for the “second half of life,” venturing into direct sales, rocking a home business, or dreaming of leaving a dead-end job, this book provides the building blocks needed to move forward with a healthy dose of humor authenticity. In many ways, this book could also sport the tagline of Building a LIFE on Your Own Terms.

I was lucky to have Becky Flansburg join us at Multicultural Children’s Book Day when we first began our nonprofit. She was the “head elf, ” meaning she did everything from project management to helping us get sponsorships. In the early years, we couldn’t keep her busy for more than a few months a year, even though that was very part-time. Becky’s contribution to the team helped us grow our nonprofit, and, in turn, we could keep her busier. Now, as a “mom boss,” Becky shares her journey and wisdom for moms who want to try solopreneurship.  It’s particularly helpful for anyone who wants to become a VA (Virtual Assistant).~author and mompreneur, Mia Wenjen

Also available on IndieBound.com.

 

FREElance FREEdom: Creating the Work-From-Home Life You Crave

Have you ever dreamed of working from home on your own terms instead of being confined to a corporate cubicle or windowless office? Have you ever dreamed of earning a steady and honest income while having plenty of time for friends and family?

Lucky for you, it is all very possible. I have successfully lived this life for over 12 years, and I can’t imagine supporting my family (and following my dreams!) any other way.

This robust 90-page e-book and resource guide contains a treasure trove of excellent information about working from home (on your own terms), all rolled into a handy read-at-your-own-pace guidebook.
Whether you want to pursue a career as a freelance writer, virtual assistant, graphic designer (and more) this Resource Guide will provide the insight, tools, guides, advice, and strategies applicable to any freelance business. If you want the basics of getting started without support and coaching, this eBook is for you.

For anyone looking to start their freelance career, or up their game, this book is the perfect place to start. Jam-packed with actionable items and details about even handling unruly clients, well-meaning visitors, and kids while working from home – this book has it all! Highly recommended!~author and mompreneur, Carissa Andrews

 

 

For those who are contemplating the freelance lifestyle but need a guidebook with baby steps, this is your manifesto! Becky Flansburg shares her tips for balancing a freelance career with a family including the nuts and bolts such as the online tools she uses for networking and running her business. Becky is a gentle and realistic cheerleader for anyone who wants to work at home as a solopreneur.~Mia Wenjen

FREElance FREEdom is Available on Kindle

Also available on IndieBound.com.

Available in Paperback on Amazon: mybook.to/FREElanceFREEdompprbk