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!
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