How do moms do it!

[Tamra Foy]

I'm looking for working mothers to share ideas on how they balance home and career!! Give me your best tips!!!-- Tamra

[Kimberly Porrazzo]

Balance is a word that I'm not sure works anymore. The buzz word I keep hearing is "integration." Without knowing it, that's what I did when my boys were 4 and 6. I was self publishing a book that I would take to Office Depot, make my own copies, and use their plastic spiral binding maching to assemble the workbooks. I had my boys in tow. They each had a little job (holding things for me, pushing the copy machine button, etc.) until they got too tired. Then they would "play office" right next to me in the office furniture department. I always made sure that there was something to look forward to afterward - time at the park, a video at home, a treat of some sort. I would often take my paperwork with me when I would wait in the car as I picked them up from school. And I would work before they got up and after they went to bed. We would celebrate a "sale" together. Even at their age they understood it. They could see the whole process and knew that a sale was a good thing. The hardest part for me was being on the phone. I would try to time that during naps or quiet time or when my husband was home. I'm not sure how women do it that have "real" companies with real revenue and real demands. I think that's where the nanny comes in. You work at home and she watches the children, but you are within ear shot and can pop in. Oh! I'm assuming you're working from home! You might be a woman business owner who works outside the home. In that case, I think the key word is compromise. Don't expect either homelife or work to be perfect. As long as you "approximate" in both arenas I think you are doing great. I did write a book titled "Momhood: Reality Mothering." It's available at http://www.lulu.com/content/260059 if you're interested. Thanks for asking. Can't wait to hear what other moms say!

[Nicole Hoekstra]

Hi again Tamra!

Well, here's my story:
Before SOC, I was a nail technician for 8 years and just tired of the nights & weekends. It wasn't worth it to me to miss that important time with my family, so I made a change and decided to start my own organizing company. Boy, was that not what I was thought it would be! I thought I would have more time & less stress if I worked for myself. Well, that was not the case to say the least, ha! I found that not only was I now doing the 'work' - you know, the hands-on stuff, but when I was done with that I had to do everything else too! I was it; it all rested upon Me! That was stressful for the whole family. Thank goodness I have the most supportive and easy-going husband and son Ever!!!

Well, somewhere in that mess I had gotten involved with SendOutCards as a productivity tool to offer for my clients. The more I learned about the company, the more I loved it and realized that SOC was what I wanted to do.

You know, it's funny. When I stopped trying so hard and working so much, my business stated to grow more than ever before! I guess you just have to let go and let success come to you sometimes. I mean, totally go out there and meet people, be a go-getter!!! There is certainly nothing wring with persistence. :-) But, just let the rest go!

I followed one simple quote that the top income earner from my company says all the time - "Work Harder on Yourself than you do on Your Business" by Henry Ford. Those sure are powerful words!! I work hard, but I Always put my family first. I never miss anything, ever! I am proud of that, very proud. That makes me happy, and that feeling shines through when I network, and that is where my success lies.

I've come to realize that as much as a person may try to hide their thoughts or feelings, they are always blatantly obvious to those around us. Be happy, love life, be passionate about who you are and what you do. Be a good person - helpful, kind, genuine and honest. Make your self a valuable resource to those around you. You'll get it all back ten-fold!!

Sincerely,
Nicole :-)

813.746.5644
[e-mail]
www.SOCNicole.com

[Maria Elena Salientes]

Hi Tamra!

I agree with Kimberly -- balance doesn't work. I think making the most of available moments is key -- the Power Hour has worked well for me. Taking an hour each day and breaking them down into 15 minute increments where you make customer calls, organize, learn and market -- or however you want to break it down. But it's an hour a day where you concentrate on your business and nothing else. I think I got it from Belinda Ellsworth. If I find it, I will post it!

Staying organized is my uphill battle. I'm constantly moving piles of stuff from one location to another in order to accomodate my ever chaotic family life (5 kids and a husband with his own business!). Invariably my piles of stuff become just that -- piles of stuff! I need an office space to call my own!

[Kimberly Porrazzo]

What a great idea! The Power Hour. An hour to really focus without distraction. That's the best idea I've heard!

[Nicole Hoekstra]

Wow, 5 kids! I only have one, and my work time is when he's in school - then it stops for the most part.

Have you ever thought of hiring a professional organizer to help you get better organized organized? If you find one with experience that likes to coach while helping you organize, it can be a very helpful thing! I've seen a lot of coaches on the website, but I'm not sure if any of them get into organizing. You can go to WWW.NAPO.NET to search for an organizer in your area, however.

Managing your time and space really makes a tremendous difference....and knowing when to multi-task and when not to.

Hope this helps!
Nicole :-)

[Maria Elena Salientes]

Hi Nicole,

Yes, 5! and they range from toddler to middle-school age so we're busy. I also get some work done during the little one's nap time and I don't do much between 3pm and 8pm unless I leave to do a party, but I totally love the fact that I'm home most days and nights now and I wish I had found Slumber Parties sooner.

I do have a colleague who is a professional organizer and I'm thinking I've got to get her, the interior designer and Jenny from Jenny's Helpful Handymen together at the same time so that we can plan a total makeover for my home. I don't think it's ever seen any major renovations!

I'm still looking for my Power Hour cheat sheet and will post it!

--Maria Elena

[Tamra Foy]

Thanks Ladies!
My computer crashed after I sent out the question. I'm just reading the replies. I am collecting these ideas to add to my own for my business. I actually work as a strategist for professional women. With 13 years of helping women in small businesses what I have learned is there are always more ideas out there! Life is ever changing and our systems need to change as well. I have 4 children ages 4, 6, 9, 16. Preschool to High School. Every season is different. I think the big word is FLEXABILITY! I would love to see the sheet Maria!! I really like the word "integration"!! The ideas are great!! Any others are most helpful!-- Tamra

[Maria Elena Salientes]

The "Power Hour"
by Belinda Ellsworth

Editor's note: In 1999, Karan Radcliffe, Independent Executive
Director with Pampered Chef, was featured as our "Success Profile."
When asked what advice she would give our readers, she stated: "You
can build a great business by working (only) 13 hours a week." When
asked how, she responded:

"Every day (or five days a week) spend one 'Power Hour.' The first 15
minutes, spend the time making hostess-related calls: hostess
coaching and setting up shows. The second 15 minutes, spend the time
making teambuilding- related calls: following up on recruit leads or
calling someone you met at a show who would be great doing what you
do.

"The last half-hour, spend the time servicing what you did the first
half-hour: sending out hostess packets or recruiting information.
Then spend two evenings per week doing shows. If management is a
goal, [simply double your efforts] . . . spend two 'Power Hours.'"

It wasn't long before our readers began calling to share the profound
results they were experiencing since implementing the "Power Hour"
system. We received such an overwhelming response, in fact, that I
contacted Karan and asked her to expound on this system for me.

I personally found her advice so powerful that I realized I needed to
be training it; but before you can train something, you need to do it
yourself. So, I added my own little touches to make it work for me,
and began to utilize it in my daily life.

(Note: Since then, I have incorporated it into my Step into Success
seminars, sharing it with direct sellers throughout the world. And
based on the feedback I receive from attendees at every seminar, they
have and are continuing to experience powerful results. Thanks,
Karan!)

Here is how the "Power Hour" works. First, you must allocate one hour
of the day and divide it into four 15-minute increments.

During the first 15 minutes, discipline yourself to only work on the
topic at hand, no matter what. Your topic could be "booking calls"
or "customer service calls." The point is, you spend that 15-minute
timeframe only making booking calls or customer service calls.

Then you go on to the next topic and spend 15 minutes on that topic.
The next 15 minutes, move on to the next topic, and so on. If you're
a manager, you may want to increase your time spent to half-hour
increments instead of 15 minutes.

To help me get organized, I took four manila folders, and labeled
them with the four topics I consistently work on. My envelopes are
marked "Booking Leads," "Speaking Business," "Magazine/Website"
and "Customer Service." Your envelopes could be marked "Recruit
leads," "Teambuilding, " "Customer Follow-up," and "Meeting Ideas"
might be applicable.

One category that should not be ignored when allocating the 15-minute
increments of your "Power Hour" is customer service. How many of us
make it a point to always call our hostesses a week or so after they
receive their products and ask, "How is everything? "How are you
enjoying your products?" "Was everyone excited to get their orders?"

The truth of the matter is that most of us don't make customer
service calls because we equate it with negative responses: problems,
complaints, etc., and we don't want to deal with it. The excuse we'll
often use is, "I jut don't have the time to call everyone back . . ."
when in reality, we can't afford not to call everyone back!

We want our hostesses and customers to be advocates for our
businesses. We want them to use and show everyone all the free
products that they received from our companies. We want them to rave
about our products and hostess plans, to be excited that they had a
show, and to encourage others to do the same.

How can our hostesses and customers be advocates for our businesses
if they're not using their products or receiving exemplary customer
service from us?

Customer service is really customer care. It is taking care of our
customers and our hostesses. It's building a strong rapport and
camaraderie; it's making friends and establishing relationships that
will ultimately make us their "consultant for life."

We all know the importance of goals. Many of us in the field of
direct sales have short- and long-term goals, and one of the major
vehicles we use to propel us toward our goals are daily lists, or
things we wish to accomplish each day.

Unfortunately the majority of us do not make "healthy" lists. You may
ask: "What is a healthy list?" A healthy daily list is simply one
that lists no more than five things that can realistically be
accomplished within a 24-hour timeframe -- things that will move us
toward our goal!

We set ourselves up for failure by making unhealthy lists filled
with scores of things to do that are unrealistic and impossible to
complete. At the end of the day, when only four or five tasks have
been completed, we become discouraged. Making healthy lists
reinforces a positive sense of accomplishment.

All too often I hear salespeople and managers say, "I never have time
for myself; it seems like I do this business 24 hours a day!" It's
not that you don't have the time; it's that you don't allocate the
time for yourself. Each day ask yourself: "What five things am I
going to do today to get me to my goal? What five things can I do
during the next 24 hours that will propel me forward on my journey to
success?" Then do them, 15 minutes at a time!

When you get them done, you will feel great, and have a sense of
pride and accomplishment. Then you can take time out to do the things
you enjoy -- time for you! It's all about how you allocate your time.

One hour each day. Four 15-minute increments can begin to move you in
the direction of your goals. By incorporating this "Power Hour"
system into your lives, I am confident that you will begin to see
powerful results in your businesses!

[Nicole Hoekstra]

To all the ladies out there...if you haven't read 'Eat That Frog!" by Brian Tracy, you Gotta get it!! It's a quick and easy read, and only costs about $14. You'll be so glad you read this book! Make sure to have your highlighter handy. :-)

Hope this helps!

Nicole :-)

[Kimberly Porrazzo]

What's it about Nicole?

[Nicole Hoekstra]

Woops, I thought I replied. Sorry! It's about 21 Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done In Less Time! Something we all need for sure!! :-) It is such an easy read; very basic yet packed with extremely useful information!!!

If you read it, let me know what you think. :-)

P.S. This book was recommended by David Frey, who is a top producer with SOC and also a well-known marketing guru. I use his proven materials (directly related to SOC) to train my new distributors to achieve maximum success as quickly as possible. ;-)

[Nicole Hoekstra]

'21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time'

I am not a big reader, but I am telling you I can't put this book down!!!!!!!! I know that everyone on this website will benefit from reading this book!!! If I can read it, trust me when I say Anyone can - and they will be glad they did!!! :-)