WAHM: Juggling It All And Enjoying Life

I am asked all the time, "how do you do so much and how do you have any time leftover to enjoy the fruits of your efforts?" Well, it's not always easy (okay, it's never actually 'easy' but some days go more smoothly than others) but with practice, failures and persistence it is possible to work at home and raise a family without losing your mind.

#1: Practice
Practice makes perfect? Well, in our house, we like to say that practice makes better and practice gives you a clear picture of what you're good at and what you might want to consider moving on from. As Einstein put it (and I'm paraphrasing here), you cannot judge how smart a fish is by how well it climbs a tree. In other words, we all have our strengths and our challenges. Practicing our routines and abandoning what doesn't work can help us stregthen those things that are working. While some families can wake up early, have a fabulous breakfast and be off to carpool, school and back home to work; others are going to need to evaluate the reality of rolling out of bed to cook a big meal with no coffee and very little time. I'm not a morning person (ahem, check the blog name) and oatmeal and coffee get us through our morning and out the door on time. Every once and awhile my kids get a treat and wake up to pancakes. This is rare. Learn what works for you and then practice it like your life depends on it...because, in a way, it does.

#2: Failure
Try something new with your juggling act. Don't be a fraid to fail as these failures often teach us more about what we need to do then success really does. If a part of your daily, weekly or monthly routine feels like it could use a change then, by all means, change it! Maybe it will be exactly what you needed and maybe it won't. You won't know unless you try and without trying you will be stuck with what you already have (which we've already appraised isn't working for you and yours). Failing isn't the end of the road. Keep experimenting and know that you will find your mojo. And know that once that mojo is found, it will work for about two weeks and then everyone and everything will change and you'll need to once again attempt and fail a few times to find your new rhythm. Such is life, whether your a WAHM or a WOHM.

#3: Persistence
Ah, persistence. This is probably the most important attribute for a WAHM, second only to talent...scratch that, it's second to none. While plenty of talented writers, business owners and other entreprenuers attempt to plant themselves firmly in WAHM life, this place is reserved for those with persistence. The persistence to weather the great cashflow times and the famine times as well. Those who can persist when the routine is altered, because it will be, will be a driving force in the WAHM movement...or they'll at least find a perfect niche because they never gave up. Persist in setting routines and rhythms for your family. Once you find what works for you, like coffee and oatmeal, don't be persuaded to change it unless absolutley necessary. I love the comfort that comes from the stability of our routines. The ability to stick with it and persist are also great things to teach my kids. Lead by example and all that.

Okay, so now we have a firm grasp on the juggling part...now what about the enjoying life part? A well-juggled (my own phrase, like it?) career, family and social life can be it's own reward. Above that, it's important to look up. Be mindful as days pass and grow into years. Take time to walk a bit more slowly and watch your children play. Read a good book that doesn't relate to your business. Savor your drink of choice whether it be coffee, tea or a good red wine. And never take yourself to seriously.

Getting Things Done!

Although I've been away from this blog for some time I've been working hard on a lot of other projects, and, get this, actually accomplishing some goals! I know, right?

Back at the beinning of the year I had my writer status with Suite 101 removed because I couldn't keep up with a full time job and writing for them. With the summer I've been able to get back on with Suite and I'm working on getting some great articles published. I'm currently researching keywords and average search volumes to ensure that all the articles I write there perform well. To learn more about keywords and using them to boost your earning potential, check out Willow's blog. She's laid out a great tutorial that is free and really easy to implement. Thank you, Willow!

I landed another private client today. I love expanding my resume and learning new things. I think tackling web design is next up on my to do list! Anyone know of some good web design classes or do-it-yourself books I should check out?

How is everyone doing goals-wise? I think, for myself anyway, that goal-setting is a tough one. I set goals and then I don't achieve them but only because they change and shift while I'm in the process of learning.

Thanks, all, for following along!

Writing Tip #134

Okay, so there aren't any other Writing Tips out there right now, but this one is #134 in the line of Writing Tips I have in my head. Basically, it's important, but not as important as, say, proper grammar.

Tip #134 is Be Aware. This essentially means be in business mode or at least acceptable mode when online. You never know where a client is going to come from (or return from). You never know who's reading your tweets and following your blog (ahem) so always give your best and be professional (yet personable) online.

Be timely with your work even if the client you're working with isn't the greatest at the moment. Maybe the pay is low. What if this client raises the pay down the road but you've already written them off and done less than stellar work. You won't be getting hired at their new rate and you're burning a bridge that could land you gigs with other clients.

Think ahead and Be Aware. Always, always, always. In freelancing, you never know where your next paycheck is going to come from.

Springing Into a New Week!

I hope that everyone had a restful weekend (or a profitable one, depending on your goals)!

Spring Break is over, and I am going back to the daily grind of full time work. However, I won't be putting writing and online money-making back in the closet. I have my goal of one residual income-earning article per day and I have a few articles due for private clients as well.

What are your plans for the week?

What kind of income goals are hoping to reach? What are you doing that is going to bring you closer to those goals?

I can't wait to hear what plans everyone has! I'm always inspired by the strong will of other work-at-homers. Here's to a new week!

Weekly Wrap-Up

What happened for you this week as a WAHP (P meaning person!)? We want to know! I'm always so inspired at others' work and I hope that each passing day finds you closer to where you want to be.

The freelance writing market has been good to me this week considering the cold shoulder I gave it for so long. I've written lots of (great!) content and landed a few private clients for the long-term. I invested the rest of my time and energy toward learning better SEO techniques, building networks with other freelancing mamas, and enjoying time off with my kids. I can confidently say it's been a tremendous week of growth for myself and my career.

Now share what made your week worth it or what went awry. What are your goals for the following weeks? Happy Spring, here's to new growth and opportunity!

Jessica