I must confess. There are times that working from home and seeing the housework that awaits really bums me out. There’s nothing that can set me off more than waking up to the same ol’ dog hair, dirty dishes, and piled laundry. Plus, while I want our home to be a comfy refuge, I often don’t want want to do what it takes to make it one. And then there’s the fact that I feel pulled in a million directions with my family and my business. But that’s another post.
For me, the positives from working from home as a mompreneur far outweigh the negatives. When I think back to being a technical writer or a teacher, I remember how stressed I was to have to work on someone else’s terms. Sick days were cause for a mommy melt-down, as finding a substitute teacher (particularly when I taught emotionally disturbed kids) was often impossible. Other stresses were that I often didn’t agree with the way the organizations were run; I wasn’t able to tap into my strengths and creativity in ways that nourished me. Running my own business feeds that creative part of me that thrives on autonomy and innovation. So, here are my top 3 reasons I think being a mompreneur rocks:
- I’m the boss, applesauce! I’m in charge of my own destiny. Like it or not, my success or failure is, in large part, up to me. While this often scares the pants off me, it also exhilarates and delights me.
- I am doing something I am passionate about and that feels like spiritual work. This is big. Nowadays, motherhood can be a competitive sport, and mompreneurs are not immune to this. I get to be part of a movement to help moms use their strengths so they can be leaders in their fields and leaders with their kids. How awesome is that?
- I’m on a roller-coaster ride of self-growth. I’ve learned more about myself in my four years of being a mompreneur than I ever could’ve imagined. There have been times I’ve wanted off this wild ride, but overall, I’m a better person for it. I’m learning to be less driven by my ego and more about service. I’m constantly learning new ideas about growing my business and how to help my clients. I’m learning patience and perseverance. Being a mompreneur has shined a light on my strengths and my weaknesses. I’ve learned to be open to new ideas and viewpoints and to let go and laugh.
So what’s the one way being a mompreneur doesn’t rock? This would have to be that I am constantly wrestling with my passion for my business and my passion for my family. It’s common that I’m thinking about a blog post or a podcast, while in the middle of reading to my daughters. I know, I know. This isn’t being mindful. But I’m being real here. I love what I do and I love my family. And because I work from home in my own biz, I am constantly deciding where to give my attention. Sometimes I feel like I am juggling a bunch of balls while riding on a roller coaster!
But mostly I feel grateful to be doing what I’m doing. I’m modeling for my daughters how to take initiative, start something you believe in, succeed, fail, learn, learn some more, and create.
And that just rocks.
BizMom’s “Secrets Revealed” Retreat
Hey, Moms—