Working mom? Guilt! I feel it all the time. Like it or not, I’m constantly thinking of the time I’m missing with my kids when I’m away from home. But then I enjoy running my venture so much that it would be a painful decision to give it up. Catch 22, that is what we get into when we decide to be mompreneurs, a mom who’s an entrepreneur.
So, what do we do? Well, we learn to balance life as a mom and as an entrepreneur better than anything else that we do.
That’s exactly why I thought the best way to give all those moms out there a Mother’s Day gift was to acknowledge how successfully they manage to balance their roles as a mother and an entrepreneur.
Here’s what I’ve learned.
- It’s going to be messy
One thing you need to digest without freaking out is the fact that being a mom while you’re running a business, can take the glamour out of entrepreneurship. You’ll be working while tending to the kids and taking care of their needs while you’re trying to close a deal. I’ve carried my 2-year-old to crucial meetings because there wasn’t another option. The separation between the two roles gets hazy and it won’t get any better until they’ve grown up and are taking care of themselves. The key is to accept that things may be in a mess for a while and just go with the flow. Changing diapers and trying to meet deadlines simultaneously, are situations that challenge most businesswomen are who are moms too. What you need to know is, that it’s ok if you can’t figure out everything each time. Accepting an unpredictable schedule is part of being successful.
- Support system
Smart mompreneurs make sure they have a support system in place to see that things keep running. This could include your team, your partner, family and friends. At work, you need to put systems and processes into place and make people accountable so that nothing is missed. With partners, there needs to be a clear understanding of shared responsibility and involvement. Besides that, other members of the extended family may be willing to support and help out in small ways to make life easier. My family has always been there for me, helping me at trade shows and events and contributing their time whenever I’ve needed them. Be open to any support that may be offered to you by family and friends, this is very important especially as you start and build your business. Besides, there are endless options for babysitters and daycares when you need them. Stay close to people who believe in you and your goals and are willing to encourage you so that you don’t keep feeling like giving up.
Have you seen our post on Skills Every Woman Need to Balance Work-life?
- Plan and manage your time well
Every entrepreneur mom I’ve seen is usually successful because of the way she manages her time. Both babies (your business and your child) need attention. The best way to achieve that is to plan things to the minute as much as possible. There, of course, are going to be unpredictable interruptions and adjustments but knowing which 5 things you need to do next, helps at least in prioritizing if nothing else. To-do lists come very handy and putting down deadlines on a calendar works very well. All said, it also means that you’re almost never free to complain about how bored you are! Keep in mind that you may not always be able to stick to a schedule so be prepared to frequently skip, swap, adjust and reschedule both professionally and personally.
- Be flexible
Having a workspace at home and a kid’s den at work sometimes becomes essential to function. Additionally, there may be times when you need to take your children along to your meetings and promotional trips. I remember having to take my 2-year-old to a very important meeting. I explained to him how vital it was that he be good and to my surprise, he didn’t trouble me at all! It may sound difficult at first, but as moms, you have to do what you have to do and most times people are willing to support you too. Mothers in business succeed by finding ways to simultaneously look after both areas of their life. It is next to impossible to compartmentalize the two areas of your life, so you might as well learn to mix them and smile.
- You are important too
Never forget that if you don’t look after yourself, you CANNOT look after anyone/thing else. Time off to rest, relax, do something you like or just spending time for yourself is not just advisable but essential. You’re working non-stop and so is your brain, you need to give both your mind and your body a break so that it can keep going at the same rate without malfunctioning. The best way mompreneurs do this is by setting aside a day and time for themselves. Put it on your calendar. And then stick to it. It may sound impossible in the beginning, but once you start doing it on a regular basis you’ll find that you can manage all your urgent responsibilities even while you take some time off for yourself. It’s also a great way to keep you motivated the rest of the week. Don’t forget to keep healthy habits and stay healthy, most mamas will tell you that’s the best way to stay productive and happy.
- You have to love what you do
Some of us get to choose what we do professionally; others may have to do it as an only option. That doesn’t mean you can’t come to love what you do. It is only when you start to enjoy what you’re doing or get satisfaction out of it (whether it’s being a mom or running a business) that you are able to become good at it. Whether you’re doing something to support your family, or out of a passion for your product, it is always love that makes you grow. If you are sure about “why” you’re doing something, it will keep you motivated and encourage you to never give up. Doing something you love will give you the strength, commitment and determination to succeed.
- Learn from others
Lots of women around us are an inspiration. Family, friends, personal and professional acquaintances – look for moms who are successfully managing work and kids. Find them, talk about how they’re managing, take advice and learn. I’ve learned so much from my own mom as a little girl and that’s what helps me manage today. The family recipes she taught me as a child helped me create the delicious beverages at Makomas. She passed on her cooking skills to me and it is from her and the many amazing women around me that I learn how to look after my family even while I’m so involved with my venture. Another option is to read about women who have been doing it and find out what they do to effectively juggle business and home. You don’t have to make every mistake that each working mom has made in the past. Instead, learn from their mistakes and grow.
- You can’t always score
There will be times when you don’t get results or can’t do things exactly the way you would’ve liked. Those are times you need to realize that accepting your failures and learning from them is the best way to keep moving. You can’t always do everything and at times it will leave you feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. Guilt creeps up on you every now and then but you need to keep reminding yourself that you’re doing the very best you can. Managing expectations, both yours and those of the ones you love, can be an uphill task. The solution is to keep doing what you do to the best of your abilities and leave the expectations to manage themselves. Don’t kill yourself over things that are not in your control. Remember there’s only one of you, and you can’t be everywhere at the same time. Take that guilt in your stride, its part of the game and its ok to sometimes miss things or not be able to do them. Accept your limitations and do your best, the rest will take care of itself. Be the best that you can, “superwomen” are only in the movies.
- Self-motivation
Ups and downs abound when you’re trying to grow a business and be a good mom all at the same time. The only way to succeed is to stay positive and keep your energy levels high. Successful mompreneurs make it a point to consciously motivate themselves and avoid negative thoughts. I’ve found that affirmations and giving yourself a pep talk every now and again work well. I’ve also got into the habit of reading positive quotes and words of wisdom to give me that push every day in the morning. Talking to like-minded women and acquiring an encouraging group of friends is a good way to keep you motivated and determined.
- Pick what you’re comfortable with
Not everything that works for someone else will work for you. You need to figure out your own plan of action. Learn from others and then tweak it to suit your situation. You may have to make a few mistakes to figure that out, but in the end, being the mom of a business venture or of a child, kind of teaches you what will work. The end result should be that your business grows well and your children are happy. Things may change with the passing of time, but it only gets better I promise you.
Being an entrepreneur and the mother of young children is a 24 x 7, 365 days a year job. You need patience, dedication, determination and lots of energy. But along with it, you have the opportunity to set an example by teaching your kids about following your passion, being self-sufficient and working hard. I personally wouldn’t ever give up this opportunity. I’m sure you wouldn’t either.
So Happy Mother’s Day to all those mompreneurs who wake up every morning ready to face a new storm and make their families proud.
Stay motivated. Stay strong.
Magbè
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You are so inspiring! Thank you for you thoughtful insight to help women turn their dreams into goals! Love your blog!
Thank you for reading!
these are all wonderful tips. I’m not a mom, but i have a very demanding full time job and it’s hard to remember some of these things sometimes.
Thanks for reading, Danielle. Anyone with tasking jobs can make do with these tips.
I know how busy being a mom is. My mom is the busiest person I know so finding a balance it so important and your tips are a great reminder to do just that
Moms are gold. Try to be the support she needs.
Great tips there and to have a good support system is so important. This will be so helpful too. Great tips.
Thanks for reading. Hoping you’ll provide support to your mom friends.
These tips are so important! I’ve been doing this for almost two years and I’m just starting to have things in order…that does not include my house, although I try! The mess can wait.
I’m glad similar tips have worked for you.
Those are great lessons you have learned! Great to help others! I do agree it is always messy and without the support of the people around me, I couldn’t do what I do and function as the best mom I can be. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for reading and keep being a happy mom.
I agree. It could be tiring as hell, that’s given but it is all worth it. All you need is time management!
Yes, as a working mom, I’ve been forced to have a relationship with time.
These are important lessons to have learned. As a working mum, I have learned the same lessons and a good support system is an absolute must.
Good to read you’ve found what works and a support system. We need the latter so much.
I don’t have children but I can relate to many of your steps, as an entrepreneur myself. It’s always important to be flexible and to accommodate situations that might happen in your life.
Flexibility and accommodability are two strong forts of every entrepreneur. Without them, it will be tiring.
These are awesome tips! I admire you for being a working mom. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your compliment, Dhemz.
Yesss! Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful and strong mompreneurs out there! Glad you could find the balance, and hope all the mommas out there get to learn from you too.Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your wishes and reading. Sending balance to all mommas in this shoe.
I love these articles, always gives me little bit of sense what I need to do and be prepared for Thanks!
Nice to read how you feel about the post. Thank you.
love this topic! every single one of them is such an important guide. Thanks so much for sharing
Good to read you loved the post. Please share with friends.
Nice reading your tips. It would be extremely useful for those moms who are starting up on entrepreneurship.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing our little mom secrets.
Great post! I think to some degree we all suffer from mom-guilt. we all want to do and be more. Even as a work from home mom, I can’t be at every event in every way. It is about balancing and depending on your tribe!
Mom-guilt is real no matter how much we try to ignore this conversation. Finding balance and having the right support is very important.
I do struggle with finding a balance. Blogging is one of those times you can keep spending more time on. And then there are deadlines I struggle to make. All while juggling the kids. Thanks for sharing your tips.
I can understand this crazy-busy mom life. These tips are helpful, try one them and @me if it works.