Motivating Mum

Recently the lovely Veronica at Sleepless Nights asked the question – ‘what do you do for a break?’

I considered it. The last magazine I looked at was an online parents one – that I looked at solely for business purposes. The last time I caught up with someone in a cafe for a gas about something other than biz was so long ago I have forgotten and the closest I get to having a lie down is when I have my feet up at the desk while talking, you guessed it, business.

I had to answer – ummmmm, work. I work for a break. It sounded sad. I sounded sad.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realised it really was a break for me. God I love work, and I love it for the following reasons:

• I get to use my brain,
• I get to learn,
• I can control work – what I do and when I do it (unike the kids),
• it’s quiet when I work, and
• I see the rewards of work, whereas with kids, let’s face it, it’s often a thankless job.

That said – all work no play makes Alli a dull girl so I jumped at the chance to take a break watching mummy comedienne, Jenny Wynter, strut her stuff on stage. And even better – she sent me five extra tickets to bring my mums along!

So, if you’re a mum in biz and you need a break, leave a comment below letting me know how often you actually get a break and what you do in that period and five of you will be coming with me for a much-needed laugh. (p.s. you need to be in Melbourne and free the evening of Tue, April 10 to enter)Drawn Thu, April 5.

Cheers! Alli x

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

 

1. A goal. Written very specifically and quantifiably. To lose weight this year is not enough. You need to know how much and by when.
2. Chunking. Break that goal down into smaller parts and set dates for each of these so you have something much more achievable to aim for i.e. to lose 1 kg in a month as opposed to 5kg in six months.
3. A plan as to how you will achieve these chunks i.e. a diet plan and an exercise regimen.
4. A review system. At the end of each smaller goal review how you went. Where did you trip up, how can you address it, where did you go well and can maybe even expand upon, where have you been unrealistic as to what you’re capable of and where have you under-estimated yourself.
5. A reward. What is going to get you to the end of each smaller goal and to your final resolution? Make it interesting and motivating!
6. A reminder. Pop up your goals and your rewards – as a schedule, in pictures, to remind you every day of what you’re aiming for.
7. A safety net. Fall off the horse?Be prepared that this may happen and have a back up plan ready to enable you to get back on. Falling off is often a good excuse for staying off – but if you already have a plan and have envisioned yourself getting going again you will find it so much easier.

And that’s your New Years Plan. Guaranteed to get you so much further than a few slurred words at New Years Eve. And the best part about this plan is that it can be implemented at any time and for any aspect of your life – in business, with the kids or for yourself.

Cheers! Alli x

I received an email recently from a lovely mum called Nektaria from Spoil Ur Bubba asking me if I could help her. She needed some help with selling on her FB page however, she didn’t have any money. Would I accept some products from her page instead?

She needn’t have offered the products, I was so happy she’d just asked for what she needed that I was in! Why? Because there are so many mums out there thinking:

• I have to do it on my own,
• I’ve only just started in business and don’t feel confident asking,
• I’m too embarrassed to ask, or
• I don’t have the right to ask for help as I have little to nothing to offer in return.

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We already know a lot of mums pursue their passion in business when they have kids. But what about those that want to study? I was imagining mums strolling about University Campus with kids strapped to their backs before I got an email from University of Newcastle letting me know about the flexible study options at their Online Grad School.

This is what I imagine I would look like if I went to school!

Now, it seems, mums can study everything from Architecture to Aviation, International Business to Special Education and Engineering Science to Midwifery, in between feeds, school runs or the laundry. I love that – become an architect at the same time as folding socks.

And not only can mums study, it seems they can work at the same time. Like this great story of a single mum of two who’s making it work:

And what if you want to get out of the house and get a bit of University life? University of Newcastle have campuses in both Newcastle (that one was kinda obvious!) and Sydney. If you’d like to check them out they have Open Days this week (click the link for more deets).

Go forth and learn!

Cheers, Alli x

I have a new mentee, the delightful Heather James of Inspiring Mums. If any of you know anything about Inspiring Mums then you’ll be aware that it is a community for mums and, among other things, she offers business events from time to time. Some people might say she’s my competition. I guess if push came to shove I would have to say she was too.

It’s the reason why, when she first asked me to mentor her on an area in business in which I am already developed, the first thing I felt was my gut drop. You know the feeling? When you hear or see something your competitor is doing that is either something you’ve already done or are about to do? Fear. Aaaaahhhh!

Luckily for me I am familiar with this feeling – having been in a competitive industry for nearly five years now – and recognise it for what it is. A knee-jerk reaction. It encourages me to get defensive and protect my business from all these people intruding on my patch! Make wild irrational decisions to do whatever I can to bring the other man down.

If I was listening to this reaction when Heather asked me to mentor her my answer would have been no. If I kept the information from her I could stunt the growth of her business, thereby ensuring mine endured (that’s the irrational speaking). Luckily, I have reprogrammed myself so that whenever I feel the gut go I use it as a sign to step back and think logically about the situation. This is what I came up with instead:

1. I like Heather, her business ethics and beliefs, and want her to succeed.
2. Not mentoring her isn’t going to stop her going into this market anyway. Instead, I can mentor her and we can work together, cross promote and support, one another.
3. If I do a good job she might recommend me to mums in her community.
4. I believe there is plenty for everyone.
5. Mentored or not, if she moves into the same field as me, the only reason I will fail is if I do a terrible job. It won’t be because Heather is taking all my business.

So I said yes. And do you know what? In our first session Heather admitted that she went through the same thought process as she would be relating her challenges and difficulties to her ‘competition’. I had been so wrapped up in making my decisions that I hadn’t even interpreted her asking me as a massive (and trusting) step for her. So why did she go with me? Because she likes me and felt I could really help her achieve her aims.

And that’s why I’m writing this blog. Because I wanted to let you know that I’m coaching the competition – and it turns out it’s a fab opportunity for the both of us.

Cheers! Alli x