Being a stay at home mom is a wonderful and beautiful job. It’s challenging and exhausting too. It can be overwhelming, especially when you’re first learning how to do it. Whether you run your own business or are an independent consultant for a direct sales company, you can be a successful WAHM (work from home mom). How do you get there? This article offers five tips that can help you if you’re just starting out and need a little guidance, or if you’ve been in the market for a while and still have some hurdles.
1. Be Organized: if you are a work at home mom your schedule is probably still similar to your children’s. Maybe you are also active in other groups. We are all busy and that is why being organized can help you get things done. Do not leave your business in the background if you want it to work. Even if you have to work nights, always make it a priority in your mind. Don’t go to bed without working and focus all your energy on one task at a time.
2. Be focused: When you’re focused, things get done more efficiently. Work time is work time, but accept that interruptions happen too. It’s frustrating when you’re about to write a great blog post and everyone in the family needs something. Find a time slot where you can devote your energy to working on your business. If it’s absolutely impossible to eliminate distractions, keep in mind that certain activities will take longer (ie, what takes 20 minutes will take an hour). Focus as much and as often as you can.
3. Set your goals, write them down, keep them in sight. This will keep you motivated. There are days when we don’t want to do anything but we have to move on. Keep a board with thoughts, phrases, and dreams that remind you of where you’re going. Writing down your goals is very powerful. Writing out a list of activities every day can help you stay focused and will help you set realistic goals. Share them with your mentor.
4. Have a mentor: This is critical. Who can teach you what to do? If you are a WAHM in Direct Sales then you already have people to train you. But you can also find coaches and trainers in books, online communities, blogs, etc. Find someone you can turn to when you feel down or have questions. You will soon be that mentor to other people.
5. Be patient: Any business needs a few years to take off. You will always learn about work-from-home moms who made it in months or even weeks, but do their best not to compare themselves to them. There are many successful WAHMs out there. Learn from them but don’t compare. Your situation is unique, your frustrations are unique, and your abilities and gifts are unique. Be patient with yourself. If you persist, you will be victorious.