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WAHMS – why are you not succeeding?
By Tiffany Davis
I have been a work at home mom nearly six years now
and from park to play-date the statement I hear most from other mothers
is “I would love to work at home”. Why is it that so many savvy moms
start businesses only to see their dreams piddle away to “something
they tried once”?
Let’s look at what keeps most moms from successfully reaching their
goal of working at home:
- Fear
- fear of the unknown
- fear of selling something
- fear of failure
- fear of rejection
- fear of fear
- Unsupportive spouse
- Lack of time
- Missed opportunity
- Unrealistic expectations
Even against such challenges the solutions are not unreachable!
Fear – a great foe in realizing
any goal. You must realize first that fear is a motivator, good or
bad. Once you recognize the fear you must then figure out where its
origin is. Then you must take it on – nose to nose.
Fear of the unknown. This will never
be conquered by sitting in your easy chair watching the soaps. Take
the remote by the horns and toss it aside. You are capable of taking
it on – heck you taught a kid how to use the potty!
Fear of selling something. While this
is not true for every at-home business, it is for a great majority.
The easiest solution to overcome the fear of selling is to LOVE
YOUR PRODUCT! I mean how many times have you been swinging your
kid next to another mom and get into a conversation? How many times
have you recommended a product or service that you used and loved
to that mom? It’s easy to talk about something you actually use
and benefit from. And to get right down to it – selling is talking!
Fear of failure. Been there, not the fear
part so much as the failure part. You must come to terms with the
fact that every business comes with an element of failure attached.
But it also comes with a terrific element called SUCCESS. What is
that wonderful saying? “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” It couldn’t
ring more true than in today’s market place for women. As mother’s
we have a unique bond to each other. We trust each other and we
want to help each other succeed.
Fear of rejection. Isn’t it silly that
we still carry this middle-school mentality around with us into
our adult lives? Get over it! Not everyone is going to love you,
your product or service and that’s just life. Too bad for them cause
your business is super and you are even cooler! Just move on to
somebody #2!!!!
Fear of fear. Did you read anything I
wrote above? Don’t let your fears keep you from you joys, rewards
and ultimate success. Life’s momentary opportunities are waiting
for you to jump on for the ride!!
The unsupportive spouse.
This one is tough. While we want to be independent women with our
independent business the fact is we are wives and mothers first. Believe
me when I say no business will be a success when you and your spouse
are at odds over it. So how can you get the spousal backing you need?
Start with a well built plan and a lot of enthusiasm (remember if
you love it so will everyone else). Explain how you will set you priorities
and “fit” the business in rather than fitting the family in. You may
suggest involving your dear husband in the business as well so you
can share your business triumphs as a team! Give him time, start slow
and as he sees the results he will be more likely to give you the
extra encouragement you need.
Lack of time. I think
as mothers we know the value and impossible task of time management.
I have no formula for what works. I know that when something is important
to me I make time for it. Simply if you want your venture to progress
past your day dream you have to give it some time. Re-evaluate where
you time is going. Can you get your husband and children involved
in other household tasks to free up some of your time? Can you get
up an hour before the kiddos for some focus time? I don’t know where
you “extra” (I know you are laughing out loud right now) time is,
but IT IS THERE! Buy yourself a day planner and book some business
time!!
Missed opportunity. Boy
if this isn’t the biggest on my list! Haven’t you ever come across
some nifty product that you thought of 2 years ago? “Man why didn’t
I do that when I had the chance?” you say to yourself. You missed
the proverbial boat! Do not sit on your ideas, dreams and aspirations!
Whether it is to sell the latest kitchen wares at a hostess home filled
with friendly ladies or to write the great American Romance novel;
your opportunity if floating by.
Unrealistic expectations.
You must set goals and dream big. However be reasonable with the measure
of your success. This isn’t the lottery and more than likely you won’t
be the lead sales consultant or pictured in entrepreneurial magazines
the next month. Give yourself and your business time to get through
the first stages of growing pains. If you set your goals beyond the
practical from the get-go something will burn out fast. Could be your
family, your house, your business and/or you. This is not to say you
should not hope and dream for your business’s long term achievements;
without those we have no vision. Keep your vision, visible and you
will be able to stick to what you started.
Tiffany Davis is a veteran work at home mom. As webmaster of Mommy
Mission she is helping moms in the pursuit and promotion of real work
from home. See www.mommymission.com
today! Or contact her at
tiffany@mommymission.com
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