If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business. You likely find yourself talking yourself out of it. You have questions like “How do you do it all?” “How do you do it well?”
Well, at least that was the case for me. It took me several years to get started and it’s not like my responsibilities in life lessened. If anything it increased.
Let’s be clear “All” doesn’t mean perfect and saying yes to “Everything”. I think it’s fair to say that what “All” means to me is different for you.
When I ask this question from other mentors and productivity experts I know what I’m looking for… It’s the hacks and tips that will fit my life, it’s the ‘ahas’ that will make things simple and keep me sane.
So again, it’s not about getting it perfect and doing everything but it’s about living a life that is joyful with the right things that matter to us.
So “How do you do it?” I remember being asked this question in an interview a while back by Creative Entrepreneurs Jen and Elke Clarke. You’ll find the video below cued to this section. I hope you find some quick tips for you there. But since then I’ve also found a few more helpful advice, scroll down further and I’ll share more with you.
A few things I’ve learned that helped (my ever-growing hack list)
1. Know your “why”
Understand the value you bring to those you serve. I’m a believer in vision boards. There’s something about seeing it every day. I keep my vision board in our bathroom wall by my mirror. Start a business that will inspire you. not just for the money. Have a heart for helping others, solve a need and a problem.
In understanding where you want to be, you can reverse engineer what you need to do to get there. I’m careful what I say “Yes” to, it needs to support our dreams and goals. Even finding the right business model for our family was important. That’s why I license my designs with places like Zazzle instead of taking on more clients. Having a shop that customers can do things on their own. It helps me balance our priorities.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Before I even began a business, I spoke to my husband and my mom right away and the whole family.
I figured out that I was worried I won’t be able to be with my children the same way. Then I realized that I added that pressure to myself. I was thinking I have to be the only one to raise them, it’s such a false notion, I forgot that I have a tribe, and they support me.
I tapped into them and they made all the difference.
Added bonus: Our children are growing confidently that they have more people they can count on.
3. Early mornings but get your sleep.
I’m gonna tell you that trying to achieve your goals really takes sacrifice and dedication. It takes habits and a mindset that are different than the average person. So yes you will have to miss out on binge-watching Netflix.
I start with finding the pockets of time that I can work at. Turns out it’s early morning for me around 5 a.m. Time to pray and be focused.
When 7 a.m. comes around I wake up the kids and we get started with the day. You might think, how can you get anything done in 2 hours. I came from a design agency environment earlier in my career, so when you’re given a deadline… you better believe you have to produce.
So when you know you only have 2 hours, I bet you know what to do with that. Use the power of “To do lists” so you can be smart with this precious time.
(Insight: If you’re a parent, especially a mom, you might remember your life raising a newborn. It’s pretty cool that getting up for my babies back then prepared me to adjust to this type of schedule. I learned to use my energy in the right way…you get me?!)
4. Conscious Intergration
I recently learned about this term from Dana Malstaff (The Boss Mom), but I didn’t realize that’s what I’ve been doing all this time.
This is when you incorporate your children’s activity with what you’re doing and allowing them to be part of what you’re doing.
When I paint, I encourage them to paint alongside me. When I write blog posts I think of them reading it in the future. Will it help them as they grow? I see that they enjoy being included in what makes mom excited. And I hope they will find encouragement in this as they pursue their own goals.
5. Be Intentional and Commit
Your business isn’t something you do on the side. Just as your family isn’t a side hustle. To make it all work together you need to make intentional times and this could mean full days that are set aside.
Just as we take family vacations, a day off from a full time job to work on your own business makes a big difference. Setting specific days to learn, strategize and grow need to be an intentional decision.
6. When inspiration strikes don’t waste it.
Keep a running Google Doc, use your phone’s notes app, capture voice memos, write it in your journal…whatever works for you but store your ideas and feed on your surroundings.
If you’re ever stuck pull these ideas out. There’s a surge of energy that electrifies us with a great idea, watch out for it next time. Capture it so you don’t forget.
People think I just come up with ideas from thin air, but in reality, it’s been brewing for a while and my experiences and interactions have fueled it. So when I sit down to execute I know what to do.
7. Batching what you can
Focused work is productive work. – I’m guilty of multi-tasking, but when it comes to producing designs and writing I’ve used this advice to keep my mind from being scattered.
Do you find there are times you feel like you’re doing stuff but you haven’t accomplished anything. I suggest you batch the work.
For example, if I’m writing a blog about “Mother’s day gift ideas” it brought me to research what’s important to moms, then I realized that mom’s wonder about “How do you do it all”…hence this recent post 😉 and more to come.
8. Keep learning from those who’ve come before you and use the tools that you have
Listen to podcasts in your drive to work, while you’re folding laundry and not just topics for your industry. There’s so much wisdom out there that can apply to the challenges you are facing. Having the mindset and thirst for knowledge and wisdom has served me well.
I found Jen and Elke for this same reason, I sought out successful people who are where I want to be at.
Fortunately, they lined up with my values and they had free resources. As I found success and a bit more earnings from what I’ve learned from them. I invested in their courses.
You can learn more about their Zazzle courses here if you’re curious. I’m part of the mentoring program which I’ve found so valuable.
I’ve also taken Marie Forleo’s B-School, Hilary Rushford’s Instagram with Intention and Amy Porterfield’s List builder’s lab.
9. Give yourself Grace
It’s easy to become overwhelmed and feel that you’re not far enough. But remember that you can only fail if you stop trying.
As I said, it’s not about getting it perfect or finding success right away. You can’t compare your beginning with someone else’s middle. Know that every step you’re making and even the struggles are part of your growth.
10. Give & Serve
I had written on my vision board to “Give More”, it has been part of my “why”. As I’ve mentioned before, become selective on what you say “yes” to, but if you incorporate sharing your talents to non-profit organizations and those who need help, you’ll find more fulfillment and joy as well. Trust me, it’s in giving that you gain more in life.
These are just a few things. What do you think, can you share more of your own hacks and tips below? I’d love to hear and learn more.
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All the best with doing what brings you joy. I hope you found these ideas helpful, feel free to share this post with a friend.
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