Will the real superwoman please stand up? Did anybody stand up? I know I didn’t!

As much as I could definitely use superhuman powers throughout my day, reality kicks in and I’m just plugging away like everyone else.

When I started my home business I really had to stop and think, could I handle this? Would I be able to manage a full-time job, kids, husband, house, pets, friends, Life? Honestly, I couldn’t really answer that question for sure, but there was one thing I did know – I was going to do it, and I was going to be damn good at it too!

And, I can now honestly say that YES, I can manage it. It certainly isn’t always smooth and it isn’t always easy, but if you stay focused on your goal, keep moving forward, and don’t sweat the small stuff it all comes together.

So what have I learned in this journey to non-insanity? Three very important lessons.

You have to have a very strong WHY

So What is your Why?

Basically, it’s the reason you do this every day. Let’s face it, working full-time, being a full-time parent and partner, and becoming a Successful Entrepreneur is going to take a lot of time and energy. And, if you don’t have a clear vision of why you’re doing this and where you’re going, you’re going to hit that spot where it all just seems like too much.

I admit it. I’m tired. After working all day, I come home, and in-between all the other stuff I have to do I put in at least 3 – 4 hours at my computer. Why? Because I have a very clear picture in my mind of what I am working towards and what my life is going to be like when I get there. As in any journey, you have to have a destination or you get lost along the way.

One of the most profound exercises I did to solidify my “Why” was to create a Vision Board. I’d heard of this before, it was even one of the first things they suggested I should do when I first started with my mum company. But actually taking the time to really think through what my life would look like, feel like, sound like, even smell like became a very strong motivator in my life. I made my board with a picture of myself in the centre (of course modified a little, because after all, we’re setting goals here!) I went through some magazines and found pictures that represented what my life would be like. I added things that make me happy, like a picture of my family, places I want to go, my dream car.

But then, instead of just sticking it up on the wall I put it in my bedroom beside my bed where it’s the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see before I go to sleep. Talk about creating a strong vision in your mind of where you’re going.

You Have to Be Organised and Effective at Managing your Time

One of the biggest obstacles that I have faced in my business is dealing with what I call “Overwhelm”. There is so much coming at you that you have to deal with and I’m not even talking about your family – YET. Let’s face it, in order to become a successful entrepreneur you have to work your business. You have to talk to people, read emails, attend webinars, read emails, network, write blogs, read emails, and all the many incomes producing activities you do in a day.

Ok, I have a small pet peeve. I can’t believe the number of emails I receive in a day. If I allowed myself, I could be bogged down for at least 2 or 3 hours a day going through everything that comes into my inbox!

But, I don’t. Because being organised and managing your time is one of the most important things you will master on your road to success. Here’s a couple of things I’ve learned along the way:

Have a daily plan. Schedule what needs to get done. And make sure you add in all your family commitments too.

Prioritise what you need to get done in the day always keeping in mind that you need to be spending the larger portion of your time on income producing activities. Make a plan each day of what you need to accomplish and prioritise them. That way you are more likely to get the most important tasks done and if you run out of time the less important tasks can make it onto tomorrow’s list.

LUNCHTIME – I never eat lunch at lunchtime – well I do but it’s never at a table! You’d be amazed at what I can do in 40 minutes. I do my banking, fill up my car, run errands, grocery shop, check my emails, outline my blog post, read a report etc. etc. etc. I quickly skim through my emails during my coffee break, delete the stuff that’s not important to me, and save the things that need more attention for when I get into my office. While you’re waiting for your kids to learn guitar, play hockey or whatever it is they do – great time to catch up on your reading. Hands-free Bluetooth — I rarely drive alone!

Get the smaller things done during the day and maximise your time.

You’re Not in this Alone

Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re not only doing this for yourself but to create a better future for your family too. Trust me, I suffer from my fair share of “Mother Guilt”. But I try to think of what a positive example I’m setting for my kids. By working hard at something I love and believe in, by becoming a successful businesswoman, I am hopefully instilling the same values in my kids.

So how do you keep a fairly harmonious home while building your empire?

• enlist the help of your family – when everyone’s on board things will be easier for you – share your vision, your goals and successes with them
• schedule your work time but also be flexible – you want your family to remember who you are!
• let people know what you’re doing. Keep your friends in the loop, it solidifies your vision in your own mind and lets them know it’s not personal that you don’t see them as much as you used to◦spot cleaning isn’t a crime! Your house may suffer somewhat from your attention being focused elsewhere but hey, you’ll be able to afford a service soon!
• nobody will die from eating frozen pizza twice in one week. You can alleviate the guilt by buying the whole wheat thin crust and serving it with veggies. Besides, nothing makes kids happier that answering the “What’s for Dinner” question with “Pizza”.
• Don’t stress about the overflowing laundry basket — embrace the chance to wear those clothes at the back of the closet and buy more underwear.

So yes, I’m often tired, I get a little stressed, sometimes snap at my kids, and eat frozen pizza but I try not to sweat the small stuff, try not to get overwhelmed, and always keep my eye on the prize.

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