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Vacationing In Burnout-ville

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The hotel rooms in Burnout-ville are always full …

… full of wrung out, worn out entrepreneurs.

The revolving doors at hotel front entrances are in perpetual motion.

Business is booming!

Unfortunately, it’s a vacation spot completely void of fun activities, swimming pools, shuffleboard, and scenic tours to book.

They have no souvenir shops — no one ever wants to bring back any reminders of their visit.

Talk about gloomy and somber.  

The scenery around town is pretty bleak.

Take a close look at the guests and you’ll notice clearly-defined dark circles under their eyes and people moving about at snail speed.  Guests resemble zombies right out of your favorite science fiction movie.

And the cuisine?

There’s no spice!  You could best describe what they’re serving as bland, dry, tasteless, and unsavory.  

Getting the feeling you’ll want to decline a free ticket to Burnout-ville? 

Beware — most tickets are “one-way” only.

You could easily be the next entrepreneur on your way to Burnout-ville if you are:

  • Saying “yes” to every favor everyone asks of you
  • Not eating properly
  • Allowing 30-minute sessions with your clients to turn into 90 minutes
  • Staying up late and burning the candle at both ends
  • Forgetting there’s a world out there outside of the internet
  • Multi-tasking on multiple days of the week
  • Forcing yourself to blog when you don’t feel like blogging
  • Simultaneously working your way through the last three programs you purchased
  • Stretching yourself and your commitments so thin, you’re like a rubber band about to snap
  • Constantly being distracted and derailed by shiny object syndrome
  • Trying to build your business by yourself and too proud to ask for help
  • Ignoring your family and friends
  • Unable to recall the last time you had any fun

Ever spend any time in Burnout-ville? How did you end up there?

Filed Under: Balance work and life Tagged With: , , ,

First Ever “No Questions Asked” Interview

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Solo Mompreneur exclusive!

Today I’m excited to post an extraordinary interview with Leanne Chesser and Cheryl Wilms of WAHM Solution — my first ever “No Questions Asked” interview.

How is it possible to interview someone without asking any questions?  Not one single question??

Click the WAHM Solution logo below and find out!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Blogging, Brand yourself online, Building relationships online, Following Your Passion, Making money on the internet, Moms in Business, Small business owners, Social Media Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

My Get Up and Go Got Up and Went

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Lately I feel like I’ve been pushing myself to get through the day.

Actually, I’ve been feeling like I’m trying to push a 2000-pound hippo uphill. I barely have enough energy to stick in a thimble.

Feeling sluggish and yawning all the time is so out of character for me and I’m not likin’ it!

What’s worse, the harder I try to gather up some steam, the more depleted I become.

Talk about a vicious cycle.

I’ve tried blaming it on everything – muscle weakness, old age, poor sleeping habits, slow metabolism, toxins in the environment, lack of essential nutrients, dehydration, hormones, and even a change in the weather.

You name it – I’ve blamed it.

Then it hit me!  My lack of energy isn’t due to ANY of those things. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Happiness, Moms in Business Tagged With: , , , ,

I Know You’re Busy

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Guest post by Kenneth Weene, PhD

As a married man, semi-retired and with no kids at home, I might seem an unlikely source for good advice to you, a single woman trying to run a business – and especially to those of you who are also moms. You may be among the busiest and most harried people on earth. You are also constantly being evaluated, observed and measured. Your every piece of clothing and accessory can be held against you. Your looks are constantly being judged. Men do have it easier.

So what do I have to offer you? A single word. Balance! I know that deadline is looming. I know that sale has to be made or that presentation given. I know the kid is sick and by the way needs some cupcakes or crudités for the school party. I know your home needs cleaning. I know, I know, I know.

Balance!

Make a graph. Across the top list the important needs, demands, and wants in your life. Once you’ve made the list you may want to arrange it so it goes from most important to least. Don’t forget your relaxation and health. Without taking care of yourself, you won’t get very far for very long. Don’t forget your spiritual needs. Without your sense of serenity you can’t keep your focus clear. Exercise is on that list. Important in itself not just part of health, recreation, and appearance but in itself. Have you added long-term security? You have a future, and so do your kids. Socializing – within the family and with peers, is important. So is looking for a mate if you want one.

When you finish your list come back. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Balance work and life, Moms in Business, Organize Your Online Business, Service Business Owners, Small business owners, Stress Tagged With:

The Trip From Crankyville To Humbletown

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Some days I could stand in the middle of the room and let out a primal scream that people on the next continent can hear!

I lead a particularly chaotic life.  Not by design, but by matters of circumstance.

99% of the time, I’m pretty laid back, I roll with the punches, and I have a very even-keeled temperament. 

It’s that other 1% of the time I instantly adopt the middle name, “frazzled”.

I don’t know about you, but when I cross over that line from being overly tired to completely exhausted, my next destination is “Crankyville”. 

Ever been there?

I made the trip last Monday.

I awakened to discover my dog had diarrhea through the night (just use your imagination here).  My daughter woke up with one of her infamous and profuse nosebleeds that created an emergency load of laundry.  I knew I wasn’t going to get out the door to work on time.

The phone rang. 

It was one of my co-workers calling to ask why I was late for work.  I responded, “Gee, I don’t know.  I think today should be canceled due to the lack of interest.” 

She didn’t see the humor in my reply.

When I went into the garage, I noticed my left front tire was flat.  I called the auto club for assistance.  That was going to take at least another 45 minutes to wait for their arrival.

NOTHING was going right that day and let’s just say I wasn’t exactly feeling chipper, peppy, and perky. 

Crankyville is not a fun place to visit.

That evening I was scheduled to teach an infant care workshop for another instructor who was ill.  Believe me, after all the events of the morning and then working all day, I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with pregnant couples (they visit Crankyville a lot!). 

But duty was calling.

As people were coming into my classroom, I couldn’t help but notice a daddy-to-be who was bringing his pregnant wife into the room in a wheelchair.  They were an adorable couple and so excited about having their first child!

I realized she was looking pretty tired about midway through the class.  So I suggested we take a short break and give everyone a chance to get some water and go to the bathroom.

During the break I came to find out this mommy-to-be has a form of brain cancer that developed during her pregnancy and it is, sadly, inoperable.  Her baby is due next month.  Chances are great she won’t live to see her child’s first birthday.  I’m praying for her with all my might.

In a matter of minutes …

I made the trip from “Crankyville” to “Humbletown”.

 

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