Raising a Business While Raising a Family…

It is hard work!  I have the added blessing (stress) of being a military spouse…so I’m often running a single parent household. 

But I have encouraging words for you:  You’ve Got This!!! 

Being a #Momboss is such a blessing because I get to follow a dream, build a life I love, and be there when our family needs me!  I am there for the matches, the games, the field trips, the dances, and the calls from the school nurse. 

There are a few things that I have picked up over the years that have helped me keep all my plates spinning.  Do I sometimes drop a plate or two….sure!!!  However, these tips are my go-to systems that aid in my success:

Tip #1:  Have a Schedule 

The schedule rule is something that I’m working really hard on.  My mind tends to wander and I often find myself falling into a rabbit hole somewhere…I don’t know, it may be social media, it may be Good Morning America…literally I just booked our trip to Disney and then spent 30 mins. looking at resorts in the Bahamas because I clicked on a blinking deal.  Seriously…no joke!  😛

I NEED a schedule!  I work best from a To-Do list!  In fact, I have sticky notes for my sticky notes.  The feeling of checking off a task is like a gift from Heaven!  🙂 

I’ve  found an AMAZING goal planner from Lara Casey and Cultivate What Matters!  It’s called Make It Happen Powersheets.  They have helped me take my BIG GOALS and break them down into monthly and weekly tasks.  I truly would not have accomplished a website redo, Senior Team applications and selections, blogging deadlines, and business financial goals…all just in January!!!!  Such a blessing!!  In fact, I decided to share my great find with a friend and we now meet monthly as business accountability partners to keep each motivated and inspired.  Sweeeettt!!!  🙂

I suggest you keep a schedule and get into a routine.  For instance, I grocery shop on Friday mornings.  The kids are in school, the store is less crowded, and I can focus on groceries and errands on just one day a week.  It then frees up my weekend to be with my family and to do a quick photo shoot.  My husband often travels during the week, so I like to have a stocked fridge and clean house when he gets home.  To me, it makes it feel like home when he arrives and all the chaos of the week is gone when he walks in the door. 

Tip #2:  Grace…not Perfection

I always say, “Rules are meant to be broken!”  Refer back to Rule #1….if I don’t stick to my schedule then I give myself grace and don’t stress over getting off track.  My schedule is a template to my work week, it’s not written in stone.  I’m a mom of three teenagers, things happen!!  Client meetings need to be rescheduled, kids get sick, basketball games are in the middle of my work afternoon when they travel for away games….STUFF HAPPENS!!! 

So I give myself and my schedule grace!! 

Tip #3:  Put Your Family First…they are only little once

I remember people saying this to me when my kids were little.  I would smile politely and think “I just want them to be able to buckle their seat belt or tie their own shoes.:  🙂  But they were right….they grow so quickly. 

You’ll never regret putting your family above your job!  Yes, we all have to pay the bills and feed our kiddos…that’s not what I’m talking about.  I’m talking about those days when you are scrolling through Instagram at the park instead of pushing your 4 year old on the swings.  Or taking on a huge project that you know is going to totally overwhelm your schedule and make you a stress monster.

Can I tell you that your kids notice when you aren’t fully present.  Our 14 year olds look up in the stands to see if I’m watching every time.  They want me to record them doing that awesome stunt so they can replay it and they ask me if I saw how fabulous the stunt looked!  I wink and say “You bet!”   

THEY KNOW!!  Show up…be present!! 

Tip #4:  Have great systems in place

I LOVE Honeybook!!  They are who I use to keep all of my client correspondence organized and filed.  It’s software that tracks emails, sends proposals and contracts, and accepts payment.  I’ve used other systems…but Honeybook ROCKS!!!  It saves me time, keeps me efficient, and adds to my professionalism.  

I also use a few other apps and companies to help keep things from falling out of my brain!! hahahaha  Truly, get a mileage app and a bookkeeping system….I use an online service, but I also created awesome spreadsheets to help me figure out how to divide up my income.  Online systems are great….but sometimes you just have to create something that works for you!!  So a little tweak here and a little tweak there…and voila…pure BUSINESS GOLD!!!  Find what works for you! 

Please know that you are not alone in the pursuit of happiness with work and family! We’re all in this together!  

Something that has always stayed with me was what a wise, mom mentor from church once said when someone asked her what mission she was volunteering in that year (on top of her teaching job and three kiddos).  She simply answered “my own family”.  We all kind of looked at her and she continued “God gave me these precious children and I am called to minister to them day in and day out. No one else can do it like I do it.  I am knee deep in the mission field! ”  Amen!

It’s all about keeping things simple, knowing your limits, and giving your best to the things that mean the most!

Blessings,

Corry