Momprenuer Tips (from a Pro) on Family/Work Balance, Success and Sanity

Mitchell Savage, one of the keynote speakers at our 2009 JBF National “Beyond the Numbers” Convention, reminded us that not all of the important things in life come with awards or financial compensation. Like being a mom, a wife or a Christian. But, the benefits are so much more than money could ever compensate you for that you need to stay focused on these “intangibles.”

·         Moderate your motivation…or you will burn brightly and then fade out because you are burned out. Harness your passions and use that energy and enthusiasm to sustain you for the long haul…this is when you will experience the most success and contentment.

·         Blend your enthusiasm for your business with the reasons you started this journey in the first place. Maybe you want to provide financial stability for your family…or pay a child’s college tuition…or you want to stay at home with the kiddos and only work part-time. All worthwhile reasons…and worthy of your focus and sacrifice. Don’t get caught up in the struggle for money, power or influence…these are cold dinner dates.

·         Balance is the key to being a great mom, wife, Christian…but, how do we accomplish this, sleep and manage to find matching shoes before we leave the house?

1.            Don’t love your business, love your family. If you do love your business, it will NOT love you back. You can be passionate about your business, but you cannot serve two loves at the same time…one will always win. Make sure the winner is your family! If you are not a business owner, think of these concepts in terms of your volunteer work, your hobbies, your friends and even your ministries.

2.            Keep a mentor. Select these individuals by asking yourself, “Do I want my career to look like theirs?” I have personal and professional mentors. I have mentors that I see every day and those I have only met online. I take the best that someone has to offer and try to incorporate that goodness into my own life. It might be in the form of wise counsel, a new perspective, a hug or even a “come to Jesus” talk that grabs my attention and demands I sit down and take a serious look at where I am and where I’m headed. Find your own inspiration and then learn what they know…observe…make changes in your own life and then reach out to others who will learn from you. Yes, you are probably already a mentor to someone!!!

3.            Leaving work is good business! Don’t let your business be your life or you won’t have any life left to bring to your business. Go out and experience new restaurants, visit moms groups, make a lunch date with your child at school….read a book…have coffee/tea with a mentor…you get the picture. LIVE your life, don’t just survive it!

4.            Have a timeline and a deadline for your business. You will first need to become stable…then profitable…then self-sustainable. Measure, evaluate, explore, LEARN, change and have some fun, too! (Don’t let your business own you!) If you have a job instead of a business, the principles are the same. Our early jobs help us become financially stable, then we branch out and get promotions, certifications and degrees that make us profitable and, finally, we are self-sustainable through our retirement, savings, consulting work, etc.

5.            Remember, there is something after this!!! Did you get into business to work until the day you die? If not, what are your long-term goals, vision and exit strategy? You are not your income…you are (or will probably be one day) a grandparent, an empty-nester, a traveler, the parent of college graduates, a missionary…fill in your own plans.

We all want a higher quality of life for the people we love and working is our way to obtain that goal. The trick is not to lose yourself while striving for your dreams…you don’t want to wake up “one day” and realize you have been so caught up in the destination that you never took time to enjoy your journey. Children grow up, spouses need attention/time, health wanes…today is all we really have. So, we should work hard, leave a few minutes early, make a memory and use the extra energy from today to fuel tomorrow!