Doing What You Have to Do
As Moms we all know this phrase, don’t we? If I had it my way I would be sitting by the side of a pool with my laptop writing the next number one best seller. Unfortunately life steps in and along with life the bills, the kids schedules, the minor and major emergencies.
Sometimes we sacrifice our dreams for paying the bills. We sacrifice spa time for sitting in the emergencies room for a kid who just broke their fingers (that was my baby brother by the way). We do what needs to be done. I often feel that is the definition of being a mom.
We do things like this in our business as well.
Let’s be honest here. Those of you who have known me for a while will know this story, others may be surprised. But let me share my story of how, and how long, it was for me to start making a real start online working.
I have always wanted to make money from home. I have been online for … well let’s not discuss that at the moment. My passion is aromatherapy and soap making so I tried making a website and selling that. Didn’t do well at all. I sold some soap at different outlets, but I was spending more than I was making. I felt frustrated and defeated.
About three and a half years ago someone sent a link through a woman’s group I belong to. It was about a company that employed people to work from home answering phones. I was over committed at the time but filed it away. Right before Christmas I needed some extra income and remembered this link, and was on my way. Now it isn’t easy answering phones at home. Don’t let anyone tell you it is, but it gave me extra Christmas shopping money which was important.
I worked this job for about a year. Ups and downs. You only get paid for talk time. So if you don’t get any calls you don’t make any money. Some days were great others were … But you do what you have to do right?
I started looking into other ventures. That is when I found Associated Content. I also started proofreading for a great company that is putting books online. In my opinion this was much better than phone work. Not my passion, or my focus, but I was getting closer. I was also paying bills and being productive, at home, that is what I wanted to do.
A little less than a year ago I got what I thought was a big break for me. I was contracted with Writing Research Group. I write a certain amount of articles a month and they pay me a set price per articles. This gave me the confidence to start taking on clients of my own as well.
I can now call myself a freelance writer. It was a long path. With WRG I can now write about my passion of natural health and aromatherapy. With my clients I write about a variety of topics, but I have great clients that have subject matters that I enjoy. I have also bought a new website and venture Natural From Home. While this may seem off my focus, it allows me to talk about my passion of holistic health and to write about it as well.
But you know what, if I had to go back to answering phones at home, I would. If I had to go back to writing articles for Associated Content I would do that too. We do what we need to do to get the job done. While our focus may look off at times, it really isn’t. My major focus is my kids. If I need to switch things up to get done what I need to get done, then so be it. I will get where I need to get.
My path is not the same as yours. My situation is unique. Some people consider me lucky to be able to work at home. Others look at me like I am crazy. Others see me as someone with out focus and someone who will never make it.
I think it is a matter of focus, but I also think it is a matter of priority. A lot of times these two coincide, sometimes they don’t. Moms just do what they have to do. I believe if you have faith and are willing to put in the work, it will all fall into place.
