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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:
1. Fear
- fear of the unknown
- fear of selling something
- fear of failure
- fear of rejection
- fear of fear
2. Unsupportive spouse
3. Lack of time
4. Missed opportunity
5. Unrealistic expectations
Even against such challenges the solutions are not unreachable!
1. Fear – a great foe in realizing any goal. Youmust realize first that fear is a motivator, good or bad. Once yourecognize the fear you must then figure out where its origin is. Then youmust take it on – nose to nose.
a. Fear of the unknown. This will never be conquered bysitting in your easy chair watching the soaps. Take the remote by thehorns and toss it aside. You are capable of taking it on – heck youtaught a kid how to use the potty!
b. Fear of selling something. While this is not true forevery at-home business, it is for a great majority. The easiest solutionto overcome the fear of selling is to LOVE YOUR PRODUCT! I mean how manytimes have you been swinging your kid next to another mom and get into aconversation? How many times have you recommended a product or servicethat you used and loved to that mom? It’s easy to talk aboutsomething you actually use and benefit from. And to get right down to it– selling is talking!
c. Fear of failure. Been there, not the fear part so muchas the failure part. You must come to terms with the fact that everybusiness comes with an element of failure attached. But it also comeswith a terrific element called SUCCESS. What is that wonderful saying? “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” It couldn’t ringmore true than in today’s market place for women. As mother’swe have a unique bond to each other. We trust each other and we want tohelp each other succeed.
d. Fear of rejection. Isn’t it silly that we stillcarry this middle-school mentality around with us into our adult lives? Get over it! Not everyone is going to love you, your product or serviceand that’s just life. Too bad for them cause your business is superand you are even cooler! Just move on to somebody #2!!!!
e. Fear of fear. Did you read anything I wrote above? Don’t let your fears keep you from you joys, rewards and ultimatesuccess. Life’s momentary opportunities are waiting for you to jumpon for the ride!!
2. The unsupportive spouse. This one is tough. While wewant to be independent women with our independent business the fact is weare wives and mothers first. Believe me when I say no business will be asuccess when you and your spouse are at odds over it. So how can you getthe spousal backing you need? Start with a well built plan and a lot ofenthusiasm (remember if you love it so will everyone else). Explain howyou will set you priorities and “fit” the business in rather thanfitting the family in. You may suggest involving your dear husband in thebusiness as well so you can share your business triumphs as a team! Givehim time, start slow and as he sees the results he will be more likely togive you the extra encouragement you need.
3. Lack of time. I think as mothers we know the value andimpossible task of time management. I have no formula for what works. Iknow that when something is important to me I make time for it. Simply ifyou want your venture to progress past your day dream you have to give itsome time. Re-evaluate where you time is going. Can you get your husbandand children involved in other household tasks to free up some of yourtime? Can you get up an hour before the kiddos for some focus time? Idon’t know where you “extra” (I know you are laughingout loud right now) time is, but IT IS THERE! Buy yourself a day plannerand book some business time!!
3. Missed opportunity. Boy if this isn’t thebiggest on my list! Haven’t you ever come across some nifty productthat you thought of 2 years ago? “Man why didn’t I do thatwhen I had the chance?” you say to yourself. You missed theproverbial boat! Do not sit on your ideas, dreams and aspirations! Whether it is to sell the latest kitchen wares at a hostess home filledwith friendly ladies or to write the great American Romance novel; youropportunity if floating by.
4. Unrealistic expectations. You must set goals and dreambig. However be reasonable with the measure of your success. Thisisn’t the lottery and more than likely you won’t be the leadsales consultant or pictured in entrepreneurial magazines the next month. Give yourself and your business time to get through the first stages ofgrowing pains. If you set your goals beyond the practical from the get-gosomething will burn out fast. Could be your family, your house, yourbusiness and/or you. This is not to say you should not hope and dream foryour business’s long term achievements; without those we have novision. Keep your vision, visible and you will be able to stick to whatyou started.
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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! Or contact her at tiffany@mommymission.com
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