Accelerated Growth Tips for Mom Entrepreneur Newbies
Are you a mom who has given up on your dreams before you even had a chance to pursue them? If you just raised your hand, you are not alone. Over the past few months, I have noticed a trend popping up over and over again amongst a group of incredibly ambitious and capable mom (would-be) entrepreneurs. Actually, I am quite positive that this is not a new issue, but rather something that women are just starting to talk about openly. It is time to break this topic open and give you some action steps to get moving on your entrepreneurial dreams, and fast!
Can moms successfully balance motherhood, entrepreneurship and the pursuit of happiness without totally burning out, failing their families and settling for less? The answer is YES!
As a coach to moms who want to live their life purpose by starting a passion-based business, my calling is to help moms realize their true entrepreneurial and personal dreams. However, in order to make this endeavor a reality, moms need to stand back and take a look at the big picture. Not only do you need to create a business plan that accurately reflects your business vision, but it also needs to include your personal and family goals and values while being a genuine picture of who you are and what you want out of life. Do you know what you want out of life? If not, take out a sheet of paper and start brainstorming!
While many of the moms that I work with are indeed passionate, motivated and loaded with good intentions, when it comes down to it, without the proper support and guidance, a lot of moms are so out of touch with themselves that they give up before they reach the finish line (or even the starting gate) of their dreams. Why do moms feel the need to stifle their brilliance in the name of duty? Were you born to be the caregiver of your children for your entire life or do you have other passions? I love my kids, but they are not my reason for being (or yours)!
From what I have seen, many moms suffer from a lack of stick-to-it-ness (and follow through) not because they are lazy, but because their days typically consist of caring for their children, their mates, their homes and lastly themselves and their personal desires. Does this sound familiar? When it comes time to get things done for you or your business, have you ever noticed things getting pushed aside in the name of the family (or perhaps some underlying guilt that you are taking something away from your family by following your own pursuits). For those moms who place their businesses or careers ahead of their families (even if only for a moment) there is often an element of shame or guilt that you are not giving your family what they need on some level. But with this scarcity mindset, will you ever win? No, you can’t.
Here are 3 Tips for Accelerated Growth for Mom Entrepreneur Newbies:
- As a parent, a feeling of occasional imbalance is completely normal. Life can be overwhelming, but we can’t let that stop us from taking goal-oriented action. It is important to acknowledge when you are overwhelmed or stressed and set up systems to alleviate it in the future, but make a decision to let it move through you and learn the lesson that is being given with each and every experience. Create a daily routine that expects stress and meditate, exercise or pray so you can come back to your center and move beyond it.
- Strive for harmony (not perfection) in your home while also letting your family know the value of the work that you do. Hold an open dialogue about your purpose in life which will help your family to understand and appreciate the gifts that you bring to the world. Paying attention to the gifts that each family member has to offer and invite them to contribute as often as possible to your business or to the family. Make a list of everyone in your family’s gifts, talents and blessings and honor them regularly.
- By consciously operating as a mother and an entrepreneur who is pursuing your own dreams and passions on a family journey, you are stepping into the shoes of an inspiring role model for your children to follow their own dreams. You are also empowering your children to participate while bringing a mindset of abundance into your life that shares wealth and love with your family. Make list of your role models and the qualities that you valued in them. Place this list somewhere that you will see it regularly and be inspired! Getting clear on who your role models are and what they have done for you will help you to appreciate and value those same qualities in yourself!
Inevitably, when a mother finally reaches the point where she is ready to take that entrepreneurial leap, she may find it hard to fit the hours that her business needs into her schedule as a caregiver or she may find it is difficult to finance the business of her dreams. If she does launch her dream business, she may reach a point where she feels guilty that she is taking her attention away from her kids and want to quit. And if she doesn’t have the right support system or mentor, she might also feel inadequate or afraid of success. The result is what some experts call self-sabotaging behavior and what others call a loss of drive, fear, denial or avoidance of the real issue. Don’t let yourself get stuck in the trap of fear! If you have a lifelong desire to do something, then it is your duty to do that thing! You don’t have to have every detail down in order to succeed! All you have to know is that you want to make something happen and take steps to achieve it, whatever it is!
The majority of newbie mom entrepreneurs need a coach or mentor to hold them accountable for their goals and a community to turn to for guidance, support and resources or they simply won’t progress. Listen, I have tried being in business without a mentor and I ended up spinning my wheels and spending a TON of money and time on the wrong things. If you think about it, having a coach is somewhat like having a mother to guide you in the business world and it is something that many of us need especially in the beginning phases of launching a business. It feels comforting to know that you have someone to turn to if you have a question or an issue that you can’t seem to overcome. We also need a community for support because as women, we love to connect with other women. We find inspiration from this sense of community and we blossom in these relationships. This is where networking online and off come into play.
The transformation that my business and personal life have experienced as a result of being a part of a coaching program and developing a network of supportive mom entrepreneurs has been incredible. Talk about accelerated growth- wow. And I have to say that it was worth every penny (even the $250 phone calls to Calgary to talk to Carla Young of MOMeo Community and magazine). I see coaching as an investment in myself and my dreams and I also know that when I help others to achieve their dreams, I find an immeasurable amount of satisfaction and happiness in that which is why this is my life’s work.
Motherhood itself can feel lonely and isolating (and beautiful and amazing), add to that the pressure of building a business and achieving your personal goals and you have a recipe for overwhelm (or incredible fulfillment- if done right). To prevent the potential for burn out and to get on the path of accelerated personal and professional growth, mom entrepreneuers need to have the right mindset, realistic personal expectations, a killer support network, clarity about your life purpose and the right vehicle to deliver your message. Once you take the time to put all your ducks in a row and see your life for what you were put on this earth to do, you will be well on your way to manifesting your dreams.
If you need any help along the way, make sure to sign up for my newsletter and feel free to send me an email at work smart mompreneurs at g mail dot com
