Mom Works at Home

Are You Scared?

Are you a mom who is wanting to become a work at home mom ,but are scared? One of the worst things that is holding back a lot of moms is fear. You might have a genuine fear of failing or you might even have a fear of success. Both of these will hold you back from being all that you can be. You need to ask yourself some serious questions before you move forward in your dream of having a home based business:
What is the worst thing that could happen if I do fail?

What is the worst thing that could happen if I am successful?

Can I live with either one of these outcomes?

If you find out that you could live with either one of these outcomes, you have got to make the choice right now to not let fear stop you from achieving your dreams. You have got to let your greatness shine through and get out there and start working towards your goal of having a home based business.

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Be A Balanced Mom

So You want to go from being a stay at home mom to being a work at home mom. Moms are pulled in many directions. There are kids, the husband, the household, and so much more. It never seems like it all gets done. To make the flip to also being a work at home mom, you need to have great time management and organization skills. This will ensure that you get everything done and still have time for your family.
Use these tips to help you find the balance to become a better mom and work at home mom:
1. Use a calendar. You will stay organized and keep track of home, school, and your work schedule with just one calendar. Having a calendar hanging in a certain place , like a kitchen, where the whole family can see it lets them know your schedule also. That way when you are working they also know it and know not to bother you. I also find that it is good to have an agenda that I can keep in my handbag so that it is with me all of the time.
2. Know when to ask for help. Let your family know if you need them to maybe help you a little bit more with housework. You might be having a busy week “at work” because of holiday or taxes.
3. Do not hold on to guilt that you might have because you are “working”. You cannot do everything. You might have to ask for help. You have to remember that what you are trying to do by starting your own home based business is for your family. Do not overextend yourself though.
4. When you are not working , spend your time with your family wisely. Do not plop down in front of the tv. Go for a walk, play a game, or something else where you are really connecting with your family.
5. Set dates on your calendar for spending time with your family and on your self. Do not let your home based business dominate your life.
6. Change things when you need to. Talk it over with your family if you are needing to change your schedule. You might have found out that you can get more done with your home based business on a certain day or time and then that will leave more time for you to be spending with family and the house.
7. Be a flexible as you can be. Leave room for change and growth. Your family is growing at the same time as your home based business. With this comes many changes that will be exciting, frustrating, and very challenging. Stay open to all of the changes.
8. Do what is best for your family and you. Don’t allow your home based business dictate what happens in your life. Don’t let long hours working keep you from spending time with your family.

With these tips and ones that you already do you should be able to find the balance of being a stay at home AND work at home mom. All it takes is planning, flexibility, and a positive attitude. You can do it if you set your mind to it. Just make sure you are always letting your family know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

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Saving Time

One of the best ways to get organized and save time is to make
a “to-do” list.
Try not to leave anything out. List everything from the most
Important to the least important.
When you get finished writing out your list do not feel overwhelmed.
Go over the list and select the most important things that need to be
Done. Like calling important customers, ordering supplies, etc.
Make sure you write down next to these when you need to have them
Done. Is there anything on the list that you could delegate to
Someone else to do for you?
When you business prospers you might have to hire employees to
Do the work that you no longer have the time to do. Many small
Business people think that they are the only ones that can do stuff.
That could be your downfall.
Over time you might find that the items on your list are not as
Important. They can be put off until another time.
You do need to be able to decide when something is a priority.
Like going to talk to an important client about a problem.
Put your list somewhere that you are sure not to miss it or get
Lost in your paper work.
If you follow your “to-do” list than you should save a lot of time
Because you are getting everything done . When stuff gets put
Off than it will slow you down trying to catch up.

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Take Steps To Your Own Business

You have made the decision ~ You want a business of your own! Maybe you have not quit your full-time job, but you are wanting to be independent. Here are some pointers to help you on your way.
The first step you should take is to start small. You may get cold feet or friends and relatives may discourage you. Get started with your ideas anyway. Don’t gamble with your whole life savings ,but start small and keep your expense low.
Get advice from people who also have their own business or are doing the same thing you are doing. Often people with more experience will enjoy sharing some of their advice. Always be on the look out for new learning experiences.
Write down your goals and plans. Create a timetable of when you are wanting certain goals completed. You also need to plan on how you are going to reach your goals. You also need to keep track of important deadlines, such as the date you need to be in to reserve your booth at the craft fair or flea market. Make sure you have all legal papers ,license ,etc you need.
Try to anticipate your cash flow. Will you have enough to carry you before you start bringing in money from your business? Just as things sometimes take longer than expected ,you will also find that things cost more than expected. Be prepared. If you are starting out with very little money than you have be even more smarter and more imaginative with your money. Whatever you do, Keep paying your bills on time.
Map out your sales campaigns. How big of a area will you cover?? Who are your customers and how are you going to reach them? Study different marketing methods an their costs.
Get organized and stay organized. Keep careful track of all of your records, bills, customers, etc. Start now when your business is small. If you wait until your business is bigger than you will find that you do not have the time to do it.
Make sure public image is presentable. You may need a sign in front of your shop or imprinted stationery. Keep expenses as low as you can. Maybe trade with another business. Is there a local print shop that might trade with you for something you do for a small starter order of imprinted cards or stationery? Let others know what you do and how you are just starting out. Spread the word.
Learn to live with less sleep and fun! Make sure you take good care of yourself and eat well. Get used to the idea that sleeping late and watching hours of tv will be part of the past if you want your business to succeed. While getting a new business off of the ground it will consume your life, but when it is successful you will see that it was well worth it!
Be prepared for surprises. Things will never happen as you have them wrote out so be prepared for the little sidetracks. You will always need more money, time, and courage, than you thought you would. But if you are prepared and know that things happen sometimes than you should succeed . All of the experiences you have throughout your starting a home based business are a learning experience and maybe you will be able to share your advice with someone years from now when they start their own business.

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Take Steps To Your Own Business

You have made the decision ~ You want a business of your own! Maybe you have not quit your full-time job, but you are wanting to be independent. Here are some pointers to help you on your way.
The first step you should take is to start small. You may get cold feet or friends and reletives may discourage you. Get started with your ideas anyway. Don’t gamble with your whole life savings ,but start small and keep your expense low.
Get advice from people who also have their own business or are doing the same thing you are doing. Often people with more experience will enjoy sharing some of their advice. Always be on the look out for new learning experiences.
Write down your goals and plans. Create a timetable of when you are wanting certain goals completed. You also need to plan on how you are going to reach your goals. You also need to keep track of important deadlines, such as the date you need to be in to reserve your booth at the craft fair or flea market. Make sure you have all legal papers ,license ,etc you need.
Try to anticipate your cash flow. Will you have enough to carry you before you start bringing in money from your business? Just as things sometimes take longer than expected ,you will also find that things cost more than expected. Be prepared. If you are starting out with very little money than you have be even more smarter and more imaginative with your money. Whatever you do, Keep paying your bills on time.
Map out your sales campaigns. How big of a area will you cover?? Who are your customers and how are you going to reach them? Study different marketing methods an their costs.
Get organized and stay organized. Keep careful track of all of your records, bills, customers, etc. Start now when your business is small. If you wait until your business is bigger than you will find that you do not have the time to do it.
Make sure public image is presentable. You may need a sign in front of your shop or imprinted stationery. Keep expenses as low as you can. Maybe trade with another business. Is there a local print shop that might trade with you for something you do for a small starter order of imprinted cards or stationery? Let others know what you do and how you are just starting out. Spread the word.
Learn to live with less sleep and fun! Make sure you take good care of yourself and eat well. Get used to the idea that sleeping late and watching hours of tv will be part of the past if you want your business to succeed. While getting a new business off of the ground it will consume your life, but when it is successful you will see that it was well worth it!
Be prepared for surprises. Things will never happen as you have them wrote out so be prepared for the little sidetracks. You will always need more money, time, and courage, than you thought you would. But if you are prepared and know that things happen sometimes than you should succeed . All of the experiences you have throughout your starting a home based business are a learning experience and maybe you will be able to share your advice with someone years from now when they start their own business.

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WAHM’s Find More Time

I am a WAHM and I find that I am too busy to get everything done all of the time. There is never enough time in the day! But I found some tricks that people who use their time efficiently.
Keep a log of how you use your time for the next few weeks. Watch for when you spent too much time doing something or did not use your time efficiently. If you do this ,than you will quickly see where you are losing time and be able to fix it.
Have shorter conversations. Keep track of how long you are on the phone. Are you spending too much time on a phone conversation that could be done a lot quicker?
Learn to say “I’ve got to go”. Let them know that you have a lot of work to do and that you have to go. When you work at home it is so easy to get caught up with phone calls and messages from family and friends ,but let them know how you feel about it and when you do your work and that you will call them when you are done.
Try to make appointments with EVERYONE ! This way you have a plan and can figure out your time and can be doing small stuff like stamp envelopes or something while you wait for them.
Do 2 things at once. Always have something to do when you know you will be waiting. Like for example - take order forms to fill out in the waiting room at the doctors etc.
Keep your workspace organized!!!! This is a hard one ,but if you can follow it you will be amazed at how much time you will save. How much time have you lost looking for a phone number or an email address??? I know I have lost a lot of time do that!

Get an answering machine!

Very small changes can make a huge difference. Remember the old saying,” TIME IS MONEY!” The most successful people do not have any more time than you do , they have just learned how to use it well and to manage it.

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10 Ways to Reduce Your Business Costs

1. BARTER
If you have a business you should be bartering goods and services form other businesses.

2. NETWORK
Try networking your business with other businesses. You could trade leads. This will cut down on your marketing and advertising costs.

3. WHOLESALE OR BULK
You will save alot of money if you buy in bulk or at wholesale. You can get memberships at wholesale clubs or buy your supplies at a mailorder wholesaler .

4. FREE STUFF
Try finding the stuff you use at one of the many freebie sites before you buy it. You can find free graphics, software, and other business needs.

5. BORROW OR RENT
If you are in the need of some business equipment for a very short time than tey to borrow it or you could rent it.

6. ONLINE AUCTIONS
You can find many business supplies at online auctions (like ebay) for low prices. You can sometimes get your supplies for next to nothing!! I get ink for my printer off of ebay for 2.99 and with free shipping!!!!! That is a huge savings!

7. PLAN AHEAD
Make a list of business supplies you need in the future and keep it with you so when you are out shopping and see something that you use all of the time on sale you can go ahead and buy it before you are out of the item.

8. USED STUFF
You do not have to have new supplies on some stuff. You can get office furniture at thrift stores or yard sales. and you can sometimes find other business supplies also.

9. NEGOTIATE
Try to negotiate a lower price for any business equipment or supplies. I go to kentucky alot to buy some of my items and at one office supply store I told them I had come from out of town and they gave me a 15% discount. I do not know why ,but it was cool and from now on I always mention that I came for out of town.

10. SEARCH
Aways be searching for new suppliers with better products and lower prices.

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Saving Time

One of the best ways to get organized and save time is to make
a “to-do” list.
Try not to leave anything out. List everything from the most
Important to the least important.
When you get finished writing out your list do not feel overwhelmed.
Go over the list and select the most important things that need to be
Done. Like calling important customers, ordering supplies, etc.
Make sure you write down next to these when you need to have them
Done. Is there anything on the list that you could delegate to
Someone else to do for you?
When you business prospers you might have to hire employees to
Do the work that you no longer have the time to do. Many small
Business people think that they are the only ones that can do stuff.
That could be your downfall.
Over time you might find that the items on your list are not as
Important. They can be put off until another time.
You do need to be able to decide when something is a priority.
Like going to talk to an important client about a problem.
Put your list somewhere that you are sure not to miss it or get
Lost in your paper work.
If you follow your “to-do” list than you should save a lot of time
Because you are getting everything done . When stuff gets put
Off than it will slow you down trying to catch up.

Share This

WAHM Cleaning & Organizing Advice

If you are like me and are a work at home mom than you know how hard it is to keep your house clean and work out of it. My house seems like it is just full of clutter . So my one piece of advice is to tackle small projects each day. One day I will do the kitchen , the next the living room, one day is laundry, and so on. I dust and vaccuum every other day. Make sure you wipe down the bathroom everyday so that it is easier to deep clean. Do beds every saturday morning because my kids can help. I set aside one day a week just for organizing. We have a coat rack by the back door so we alwyas know where out coats are. There is a huge basket there also for bookbags. Kids have a certain place by the microwave where all of their school papers go that we need to see or sign. Each kid has their own laundry hamper in their room. I usually am not as busy in the winter as I am in the spring and summer. Because I have a huge garden I also tend to in the spring and summer. So I will have to set time aside for that. But my kids are home in the summer and help with that. My work stuff is kept totally away from the rest of the house. If you plan and set goals you should be able to keep your house clean and organized and still get work done !

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