Stay at Home Jobs – The Winding Road

Over the years I written a variety of magazine articles and even two books on investing, but I never thought I would be writing articles for the internet. Then one day my son suggested I put my “stuff” on the net, to share with others who work from home. I guess I never thought I had much to share. Then my husband, who’s worked with me for years in our home business, reminded me of what I used to tell my children every day — you can do anything you put your mind to, absolutely anything. So, I thought I would share a few tips and tricks I have learned over the years in business, nothing outrageous or astounding, but certainly things that have helped me.

When I first started our business, I was petrified; I was used to a 9-5 job and someone else giving me a paycheck. Now, I was going to be responsible for my own money — wow, what a shock! What was I going to do, how was I going to make sure it made money? I had others counting on my contribution. I had to find ways to make money. Then I remembered something an old friend of mine and I did to help her. She had been very ill and needed to focus on her internal strength. So, we came up with a saying, a mantra if you will, that got her through those rough days. It gave her determination and focus — “never give it an inch or it will take your life”.

Now you may be wondering what does this have to do with being a stay at home jobs person, well plenty. I decided I would use that same philosophy to make my business a success. I would work on the positive and never give the negative an inch — or it would take my business. So, I took a pad of sticky notes (my family says I’m the queen of sticky notes — they are everywhere, my desk, my monitor, refrigerator, etc.) and wrote down my positive mantra. Then I took my sticky note and went into my bathroom.

Ok, you’re thinking ’she’s lost it’ this is supposed to be about starting my business. Well, you see on the mirror in my bathroom was a note from my father. On it was a saying, one he lived by and that I still believe in today, “if you can’t look yourself in the mirror every day — then don’t do it”. I decided that my new sticky note needed to be right next to his, “Never give it an inch or it will take your business”. Wow, two great thoughts to live by — ethics and positive determination. I had a start, if I could follow these I knew I could do it, just like I told our sons.

So, I forged my goals and made a list of activities I needed to do and focused on the positive — the old fashion power of positive thinking. I looked at those notes every day, even when things got tough. I would stand there and just concentrate, focus my thoughts and energy into keeping straight and on my path. I kept those notes on that mirror until we sold that house many years later.

Now, almost 17 years later our sons are grown and I’m still working from home. My family has shared some awesome travels, a tremendous amount of quality time, freedom few ever know and the luxury of being in control of our lives. I’ve managed my business through a tough economy TWICE, the loss of my parents, hurricanes and my husband’s military career (he finally retired and yes, he now works from home). We’ve had the good, the bad and the ugly — and I wouldn’t change it for the world!

So, if you truly want your own home business, to be able to spend more time with your family, then you need to focus, have determination, make your plan and follow it. I’m a firm believer if it’s not written down, you can’t see it and if you can’t see it you may not accomplish it. So, crack out the notepad, get some stickies and start writing. A written plan of action will always take you farther and reinforce you more then only a passing thought floating in and out of your mind.

Here’s to your sticky notes and the success of your stay at home job!