Do you have what it takes to become a successful work from home mom or WAHM It is certain that many who are still slaving away in their cubicle farms 40 plus hours a week think that staying at home would be a breeze. Well, the grass is a different color on the other side, but that color isn't always greener. The most successful work from home moms have banished the employee mentality and have embraced the entrepreneurial spirit that is absolutely vital to their success. Many entrepreneurs through history have overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to become successful in their businesses. There are many qualities and concepts that they embraced to get them there, but here are a few of the most important. 1. Embrace Sales Whenever someone mentions sales, many of us cringe inwardly and think of the stereotypical used car salesman or of the retail industry. The ugly truth is that sales skills are vital to every one of us - whether we are in the employee world or are working as our own boss. You must sell yourself to employers and clients and you must sell a product (whether it be your service or an actual product) to thrive. Think about the pet rock. Some brilliant mind said, "Let's sell them rocks. If we market it and sell it correctly, people will buy." Now think about the product or service you are interested in. Could it possibly be harder to sell than a rock? If so, move on. 2. Find Your Passion Do you know why most people hate their jobs? It is mostly because they are not utilizing their gifts and talents or they are not following their passion. What excites you? What fires you up? If you do not choose a business that does not enthuse you, how do you expect to get others excited about what you have to offer? 3. Take Your Business Seriously When you start a business, be the first to give it credibility. Don't just think of yourself as a freelancer. Put a name on your business, create an email signature, order business cards if need be and take It seriously. 4. Fake it Until You Make it Do you feel like an impostor in your business? In your life right now? Everyone feels that way at one time or another. Being an entrepreneur is hard work. Being and entrepreneur who is also a mom can make a person feel insane. Use that anxiety to spur you forward, speak to yourself and others about what you are doing in a positive light. Do not listen to people who are negative. In fact, avoid negative people altogether if you can help it. Remember the "Little Engine that Could?" It sounds silly but saying "I think I can, I think I can" can help you to power through to your goals. 5. Build a Network There is strength in numbers. Find people in your life who are willing to be positive and to support you in what you are doing. If you do not have anyone at home, go online and check out one of the many communities that serve WAHM's. There are also local communities of WAHM's that you could probably join. Even if you are a more shy sort of person, it would benefit you to network in this way because it also fends off the isolation that stifles so many WAHM's. 6. Be Proactive If you flew up the corporate ladder as an employee, chances are you are already a proactive person. The proactive person is the one who assesses a situation or a job and who goes above and beyond the call of duty. They realize that building relationships are what successful business is all about. If the client is impressed, they will come back to buy again and again and they will tell others. This is especially true if the business involves selling to women. 7. Bounce Back There will be pitfalls, people who are not nice to you and jobs you may get burned on. Learn and grow from your mistakes and do not carry them around like luggage. Have a good attitude about these things and when you find you cannot, take some time out so that you can refocus your efforts in a positive way. You are your own boss, so be sure to pat yourself on the back for a job well done and to give yourself a break when you need one. 8. Good at Multi-tasking? Okay, this one is an understatement. Now, not only do you have to juggle work, kids and a household - you have to do it all at the same time. The extra time with the kids is wonderful, but trying to juggle it and work will leave you exhausted. Also, don't count on your husband to understand - he may not get it at first that being a WAHM is actually MORE difficult than what you were doing at the cubicle farm. Making lists, sticking to schedules and preparing things beforehand will become life-saving devices for your mind. 9. Hone Your Gut Instincts If it looks too good to be true, it is. Especially on the web, take everything with a grain of salt until you learn the lay of the land. Once you have been at it for awhile, you will recognize what is worthy of your time and what is not. It seems that many women want so much to believe in a good thing or to trust the good will of people that they ignore their gut instinct. The most successful entrepreneurs go with their gut every time - it is rarely wrong. 10. Research, Research, Research No matter what any company, MLM or service provider tells you, they have not cornered the market on anything. There is always another company out there offering a competing product or service. Your job is to find the other products and services and compare and contrast. The entrepreneur who is constantly learning about their industry and growing from experience will become an expert and an invaluable resource for others. While there are certainly many other skills that make good WAHM's great, these are a good start. If you can read these and think that become a WAHM is for you, bravo! You are embarking on a journey of epic proportions. Let me be the first to wish you the best in your future endeavor. |
