The "Mom" in EPMA

I have to admit that I get very focused on the "Entrepreneur" & "Professional" in our group that many times I forget the "Mom" part. My mindset is very focused there for many reasons. First, EPMA is a start up and that usually means a lot of set up work. Think about your last party. All the prep work was crazy but the party itself is maintenance, right?

Also, I have one month left in my pregnancy and so I'm nesting with my businesses! I feel there is a lot to do before my boy comes so, that I can still keep the businesses running while focusing on my newborn.

Another important factor is that perhaps I feel more comfortable giving advice in areas of business but, less so in areas of family. It's not that I don't think I have good ideas; it's that I want to consider that there are more than one way to raise a family. However, I am beginning to think that it is an area that is worth exploring - after all it is a "Moms" association!

I am even currently working on a book about managing families using business techniques! Going forward, we'll have more information about raising kids and pursuing your career passions! Sharing advice and opinion is important. I should give you all the benefit of the doubt that you can discern what is relevant for you and what might help!

I'd love to hear from you - let me know what you want to learn and what you struggle with when it comes to family! In addition, I'm currently looking for guest bloggers and educators who are interested in sharing their information!

BusiMom Monday MOMentum 4-29-10.mpg

BusiMom Monday MOMentum Topic: Anger

Are you a procrastinator or is it something else more positive?

Did you know that procrastination can be your friend? I had an interesting conversation today with a member who gets one-on-one coaching and we talked about procrastination.

We discussed the pros and cons of "putting things off." Sometimes waiting is a good thing. It means there is something in our gut that is telling us to wait. Maybe you need to do some more research or review. Or perhaps you just need a break because you are getting overwhelmed.

If you are constantly putting off something, think about why you are waiting. Is it just because you hate doing it? If so, either stop it all together, change how you do it or change how you think about it!

Procrastination can also give you time to look at the big picture. When I was taking art classes as a college student the professor would walk around the classroom and pull us back away from the easel. Wow! Stop and take a look or things will get out of perspective! When I was life drawing and working so intensely on a foot, I'd forget that I need to make it fit with the rest of the body!

Stepping back - it's not procrastination...it's getting perspective.We also decided that sometime we might get overwhelmed at working on a project that we don't ever want to go back again. My answer to this is to take regular breaks - spread out the tasks. No sense in "getting it all done now." Taking a break is ok. You always need time to recharge! Again, not procrastination.

Deadlines can loom and make us crazy. If you wait till the last minute to get started...well, maybe that's procrastination.How to deal with procrastination? There is no magic cure.

1. Acknowledge and honor that you really don’t want to do the task or project.
2. Decide how important it is that it gets done? 
3. If it’s important enough, start with small steps and do a little at a time. 
4. Just don’t wait till the last minute. It doesn’t make it any easier.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

(Whew, I’m finally done with something I was procrastinating on…)
Cheers, Lorin

A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #9 of 53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur, great for work out of home moms, too

Continuation of a series: I'm currently sharing my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/


9. No matter how successful you are, you shouldn’t stop learning.


I’ve seen a mixed bag of this. For moms who network – I commonly see women, who get comfortable with life/work and stagnate.

I have a very good friend who has worked at the same company for many years and now needs to make a move. She never networked and made no connections while she was employed. Now she’s trying to make connections and it’s taking a while. Networks take time to build. You should and MUST be networking at all times – not only when you need something!

As a matter of fact, networking when you don’t need something other than a place to learn, grow and build relationships is the most ideal time. Many people are turned off by others who only network when looking for a job.

Learning is the same thing. I know a lot of people who don’t take advantage of the seminars, tele-seminars and webinars, only because it’s “something they already know.” There is a reason that doctor, lawyers and other certifications require CLE’s. (Continued learning education) to renew their licenses.  Things change and you must keep up with the changes!  People can get stuck in paradigms and that will KILL YOUR BUSINESS!

You may think conferences in your area of industry are a luxury but you get to do many things at conferences: opportunity to learn, present, make connections, learn, learn oh, did I say learn – an not only at the lectures. You learn from those that you meet, in conversation. The connections you make at conferences can be valuable and long lasting!
There are lots of place to learn – heck, I’ll bet you learned something from you kid(s) today!