Something All My Own
Owning my own business has taught me many things about myself.I've learned that I can make wise business decisions, I canmanage the accounts and taxes for my company, and I can typewith one hand while holding a sleeping 6 month old. All of thesethings have helped me develop into a much more confidant person.My business has also given me the freedom to test my limits andsee what I can accomplish. Running a home-based business has become a large part of myidentity. Not in a sel...
...fish, "See what I can do!" way, but in apositive sense. It has given me the confidence to know that Iaccomplish things that I never thought possible. Before I was awork-at-home mom, I wanted to be able to be at home with mychildren, but I also felt that I needed more. I needed somethingfor me alone that would make me feel strong and confident. Ialso needed the opportunity to keep in touch with others toavoid the isolation that often accompanies stay-at-home moms.There are three key areas in my life that I believe myhome-based business has helped me develop:PassionWhen I began my website it truly was something for ME. I wantedto compile work at home information all in one spot so that Icould find the perfect opportunity that would allow me to stayat home with my children. However, in running CWAHM I have foundthat I have a passion for helping other moms work from home. My business has taught me that to succeed you must give toothers and expect nothing in return. This may not seem like asensible business technique, but it is a biblical principle. Putothers before yourself, help others to succeed and you will besuccessful yourself. Gina Neef with The MOM Team, told me recently, "I didn't realizeI even wanted "something of my own" three years ago. When Ibegan - it all unfolded... so nice to have my passion fueled." ConfidenceIn college I was shy and very unsure of myself. I felt likethere was not any one thing that I was truly good at. My gradeswere average, my athletic ability was average, and on and on.Being a successful business owner has opened my eyes to the factthat there are things that I am good at. Melody Spier, owner of Ballyhoo Virtual Services, feltsimilarly. She states, "Owning a business has taught me so muchabout myself and my capabilities. I used to let fear of theunknown, fear of success and of failure hold me back, but nowthat I'm a business owner, I've learned that it's okay tosucceed at some things and fail at others. I take eachexperience and learn from it - what worked, what didn't? Todayif I want to do something but don't know how, I find someone whohas knowledge of the topic and I ask for help. Owning a businesshas taught me to believe in my skills and myself. My fear ofsuccess has long since vanished as well; I can now say that I'mproud to own a successful virtual assistant business." Courage Being a business owner has given me courage. Courage totake chances and go beyond my comfort level. Once I have a fewsuccesses behind me, I realized that I could do it all. Also,even my failures make me stronger. I found that my businessdidn't shut down with each mistake I made and I always found abetter way of doing things. Diana Ennen, president of VirtualWord Publishing, agrees. She states, "Owning my own business hasinspired me to do more in all aspects of my life. I love thewarmth of success so I try and take the right steps to achieveit. Just as I want the best for my family, I also want the bestfor my business as well. I'll often find the courage to go theextra mile and reach far beyond what I think is possible andwhat I find is that most of the time, I reach those goals." Having "something all my own" has benefited me in many ways -passion, confidence, courage - and so much more. I've beeninspired to do things that I never thought possible. If youdesire to work from home you'll find that it's worth the timeand effort that it takes to get started. Take the chance, stepout on faith and work until you succeed.
|
