Enterprising Moms Network Inc

Guest post by Nancy Milton - www.lifedots.ca

Should sucks.  Really, it totally does.  I have been “shoulding” my whole life.  “You should call your grandma (daily), you should make a proper dinner (vs. serving myself a great plate of nachos with cheese and salsa), you should clean the garage, you should get up/ showered & dressed before the kids interrupt the process.”  See what I mean?  There’s a whole “here’s how it’s supposed to be done” guilt part of life that, to put it bluntly, I’m tired of.  So, I’m letting go of ‘should’, and have reintroduced  ‘would’. And today, I will make the introductions to you.

I’m a morning person.  Pre-kids, I would set the alarm in the morning (it’s amazing I still remember this, it seems so long ago).  When the alarm would go off (music, no shrilling “GET UP” ringing for me), I’d simply lie there for a couple minutes.  Listen to the news from the radio, open my eyes, do the mental check list on the body parts (and ailments), LOVE the feeling of the comforter cocooning me and the moments of pleasure without a to-do list running through my head like nails on a chalk board.

I gave this up 5+ plus years ago.  This 5 minutes of bliss. This ‘connect with my mind/ body/ spirit regime and all it’s benefits’ to instead thrust myself out of bed – to the point of sometimes dizzy – to begin the marching orders of my routine for that day. 

Then, one morning it all changed.  The kids “slept in” (for clarity, this is anytime after 7:00am) and I woke up independently.  I listened to the birds chirping. I stretched. I thought about the dream I woke from. I enjoyed a couple moments of “ahhh’.  Then it hit me.  I’VE MISSED THIS.  I NEED this back in my life.  Then my inner voice started with the ‘shoulds’.  “You’re now behind schedule. You should get dress FAST, make the bed, put on your make up, wake the kids and do it without seeming frantic because you’re late.”  Let me ask you this, does your inner voice know my inner voice?  This particular morning, I put a stop to it.

 Simply. I didn’t should.

Instead I “would”.

So, the kids come in within minutes of this blissful experience and the 5 year old literally asks me “Mommy what are you doing in bed?!?”.  I laugh out loud. Then asked them to both climb in (bed) with me so I could teach them to “would”.  So they climb in and I prep them for the “experience” (worded more kid friendly then I have for you). “Would it be nice to start every morning with a couple minutes giggling in bed? Would it be joyous to gaze out the bedroom window & enjoy the beauty of the start of the day? Would it be a better day to feel a connection (to self or each other) before throwing back the covers to rush to get to school?” 

It’s no shock to you I am sure, the answers to each would were yes.  So, every morning they climb in to wake me up.  We come up with shapes within the clouds & tree branches out my window, we talk about our dreams, we talk about our day.  We connect.  And the alarm is set for a specific time to allow us to wake each other up and have this “would” time in case anyone ever oversleeps again (ha...have only needed that alarm once).

Everyday my live was full of ‘shoulds’.  I ‘should’ empty the dishwasher. I ‘should’ get this stuff to the drycleaners.  I’ve got lots of ‘shoulds’ in my life that I’ve relabelled with ‘must’.  For the rest of them, I do my ‘would’ test to help me better access if the ‘should’ is a ‘must’.  If it’s not a must I then ask myself, what would be best in the situation? Or what would the benefit be for me to do that in the short and long term?  What would this do to make my (or others ) day better/ brighter/ easier? Then I let my gut answer.  My gut is always right, it’s the interpretation I’ve been screwing up on. What ‘shoulds’ are ‘musts’ in your life? And what ‘should’ needs to experience the ‘would filter’ to give your life connection back?

Nancy Milton is “the First Dot” of Life Dots; a Facilitation and Coaching organization that strives to assist all clients in making the change in their lives to give them the life they want to have. Life Dots is about connecting your Life Dots.  For more information on one or one coaching, corporate coaching or retreats check out www.lifedots.ca or contact nancy@lifedots.ca

On May 2, 2010 a very special event is taking place at locations across Canada.  The Walk For Kids Help Phone takes place annually in more than 50 communities across Canada.  In 2009, more than 20,000 people participated and raised a total of over three million dollars for this cause.

Kids Help Phone hears from young people today dealing with challenges and experiences that previous generations could not imagine. And when issues are too difficult for kids to discuss with parents, teachers or peers, they may turn to Kids Help Phone. The range of issues kids talk about - from sexual and physical abuse, to suicide, mental health and anxiety, family issues, peer pressure, bullying and internet safety, is extensive. The need for Kids Help Phone counselors to continually deepen their understanding of critical issues facing young people is more important today than ever. And they do that.

Whether you are raising pledges, pledging walkers, volunteering or walking on May 2nd, by taking part in the Walk For Kids Help Phone, you are helping to ensure that for young people with worries like this, help we will be there for them - 24 hours a day - providing a safe, supportive and confidential place for them to share their concerns.

"On May 2nd, Walk So Kids Can Talk"

Today is "Pink Shirt Day" in support of taking a stand against bullying. Today is the day that everyone is encouraged to wear something pink to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere. Pink Shirt Day originated from two incredible Nova Scotia high school students, David Shepherd and Travis Price. Below is an article written by CBC News in 2007, about how these fantastic kids started Pink Shirt Day.

Two Nova Scotia students are being praised across North America for the way they turned the tide against the bullies who picked on a fellow student for wearing pink. The victim-a Grade 9 boy at Central Kings Rural High School in the small community of Cambridge — wore a pink polo shirt on his first day of school. Bullies harassed the boy, called him a homosexual for wearing pink and threatened to beat him up, students said.

Two Grade 12 students — David Shepherd and Travis Price — heard the news and decided to take action. "I just figured enough was enough," said Shepherd. They went to a nearby discount store and bought 50 pink shirts, including tank tops, to wear to school the next day. Then the two went online to e-mail classmates to get them on board with their anti-bullying cause that they dubbed a "sea of pink." But a tsunami of support poured in the next day. Not only were dozens of students outfitted with the discount tees, but hundreds of students showed up wearing their own pink clothes, some head-to-toe.

When the bullied student, who has never been identified, walked into school to see his fellow students decked out in pink, some of his classmates said it was a powerful moment. He may have even blushed a little. "Definitely it looked like there was a big weight lifted off his shoulders. He went from looking right depressed to being as happy as can be," said Shepherd. And there's been nary a peep from the bullies since, which Shepherd says just goes to show what a little activism will do. "If you can get more people against them … to show that we're not going to put up with it and support each other, then they're not as big as a group as they think are," he says.

The students' "sea of pink" campaign did not go unnoticed outside the province. U.S. talk show host Ellen DeGeneres expressed interest in their story, and other schools are talking about holding their own "pink day." "It's been totally overwhelming for us. I mean we're just two local boys and I mean we're getting calls from like Alaska and e-mails. It's just phenomenal the support that we've gotten from across the globe," said Price. The school principal, understandably, was flush with pride. "You're always hearing about the youth of the world and how bad things are. Well, they're not that bad," said Stephen Pearl.

It's April 14th, wear pink and show your support in taking a stand against bullying! For more information, visit www.pinkshirtday.ca

Are you someone who loves (or lives) to write?  Do you have expertise or insight into a topic that you would love to share?  We'd love to help you share!

The Enterprising Moms Network is currently looking for guest bloggers to contribute to our blog.  Topics on the blog cover everything from networking and marketing to family vacations and summer fun.  We know that there are alot of women out there who have lots to say and share about life, motherhood and business.  And we'd like to hear from you!

If you are interested in writing for EMN, please check out the EMN Editorial Calendar by clicking here. Every month we have 2 different topics, one "Enterprising" topic and one "Mom" topic, and there is a submission deadline for each month.  If this sounds like something that would interest you, please email us for more info or better yet - send us your post!

Two quick things to remember regarding your submission - please keep your post to about 500 words, and also include any photos/graphics etc to give your post as much "eye-candy" as possible.  Also, be sure to include the link to your website!

Here's to seeing some "enterprising" entries - happy writing everyone!

Blog post courtesy of Dara Wyton, Chapter Director EMN Sunshine Coast & owner Dara Wyton Design.

Ladies this is not your husband’s office, a shared space, a nook in the corner, or a kid friendly den.  This is an office devoted to you and you only!  You are one of a number of women working from home or running a successful business - your office should leave you motivated and inspired.

Every woman needs a space of her own.  Going to work every morning can be a delight when you have a chic and efficient space.  Devote one room to you and make it multipurpose - this space can be an office, den, and cozy escape from the hectic world.  Think outside the box and make it as unique as you are because your oasis does not have to follow the standard rules of office space. Skip the institutional-looking furniture and coordinate with your décor.

In this glamorous yet elegant office, we took a number of beautiful furniture pieces and made them efficient and functional. The skirted parson chair was transformed with four basic casters into a beautiful and comfy office chair. The striking bureau was refinished and put to use as an elegant storage cabinet. A cozy nook in which to relax and unwind was created with the placement of a graceful chaise lounge in the corner. This room has been streamlined with highly functional items and minimal clutter, creating an office sanctuary with a feeling of leisureliness.

A variety of light levels can establish different moods while still providing enough light to work by. Here, a seductive chandelier was added to enhance the glamour as well as providing plenty of light as it sparkles off the gloss ceiling. We also placed stunning table lamps around the room so the mood could be brought down to a more intimate level for reading or sipping a glass of wine in the evening.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts for a perfect office: Do give yourself plenty of storage because the last thing you want is to feel overwhelmed in your fantastic space. Don't ever use florescent lighting; it is harsh light that will only give you a headache. Do use colors and finishes that reflect your personality- this room is for you and you only! Don't let your office become the storage room. Do splurge on a feature you love, whether it is the lighting fixture or the drapery treatment, which will make your office that much more special.

Ladies, do not sell yourself short-you deserve a space of your own!

I first became aware of a film called "The Glow Project" in February of 2009.  As a consultant with a Canadian direct-sales company, there were many consultants who had seen the movie and were sharing their thoughts and feelings about it.  The consensus seemed to be that this was a phenomenal movie that affected women from all walks of life greatly.

I soon saw the trailer for the movie, and eventually saw the movie a few months later.  The Glow Project had a huge impact on me as a person, as a mom, and as a woman in business.  The Glow Project showcases a full-length feature movie that spotlights 14 incredible women—seven of them corporate achievers and seven successful entrepreneurs. The Glow Project is the result of a dynamic grassroots movement fueled by the authenticity, stories and life lessons of the incredibly gifted women selected for The GLOW Project. Without question, The Glow Project has redefined the personal development paradigm for women and represents a breakthrough in helping women achieve like never before.

To find out more about The Glow Project and the impact it's had on women's lives, check out The Glow Project website here.  To see more on how women have reacted to the Glow Project, check out the video below... and spread the Glow....

Guest post by Jennifer Fong

You know, it’s interesting. Every now and then a brand reaches out and touches me on Twitter in a way that really impresses me. It makes me think, “Wow they’re paying attention, and they care about me as an individual.” That impresses me, makes me remember them the next time I want to do business, and generally leaves a favorable impression of that brand. Oh, and I typically tell a lot of other people about the positive experience too.

I thought today it might be helpful for you to hear about some of the specific ways brands have reached out to me, specifically. It’s interesting to note that all of these interactions have happened on Twitter. It might help you discover some things you could do with your own business, to leave an impression on people looking for what you have to offer.

- I tried out a survey tool, and was pretty happy with it. I tweeted about the fact that I tried it and was impressed. Within a minute or two, their main competitor reached out to me suggesting I try their solution too. Even though I was pretty happy, no one from the first brand acknowledged my tweet, but the 2nd brand was paying attention. Which tool do you think I’ll try next?

- I had been given a sample of a product at a conference, but it was a liquid that exceeded the size I could put into my carry on luggage. I tweeted that I would have loved to have tried it, but had to leave it behind because of the size. The brand (Biltmore Estates) was paying attention, and offered to send me the product via US Mail. I was so impressed, I tweeted about the great service (and the marinade was good too!) I was traveling to Washington DC and sent out a tweet asking if anyone in the area could recommend a hotel. Two different online hotel booking services responded with suggestions. But one also gave me an email address and said they would find me the best deal if I reached out to them. I emailed them my needs and they found me an incredible deal very quickly, right near where I needed to be. They also told me they would keep searching and if they found anything else they would let me know. 2 minutes later I had another email with a better deal. I also had the name of an individual who did the searching. Guess who I booked my hotel with (and who I will use in the future…AWESOME service.) p.s. If you’re looking for a great hotel service, try http://resideo.com.

- I was looking for some advice about electronics and asked about it on Twitter. Consumer Reports reached out to me asking how they could help, and then provided me with a link and a way to get the content for free. I had let my Consumer Reports subscription run out a while back. But now I’m seriously considering renewing it. Because of the great service.

All of these are examples of how an effective monitoring program can pay off in the long run. Yes, it’s one customer at a time. But that customer will become very loyal, and tell her friends. We’re still surprised by good service. And that’s something you can capitalize on.

So how will you use this knowledge to build your business?

Jennifer Fong helps direct sales companies, direct sales professionals, and other home-based business owners leverage the power of social media to grow their businesses. A former direct sales company CEO and serial entrepreneur, Jennifer is passionate about teaching direct sellers how to use social media tools to enhance their businesses. She helps business owners put the principles of social media to work in a profitable way, offering coaching and training to business owners. She offers products and training courses that teach you step-by-step how to apply social media to your home-based business. Visit Jennifer’s website at http://jenfongspeaks.com and subscribe to her newsletter by clicking here.

Have you had that "ONE" bright business idea and let it go because you had no idea what to do with it? Or how about already owning your own business and being scared to take it to the "NEXT LEVEL"?       

Many of us have been there and know what its like. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. The risk of failure, the possibility of it not working - yep, that does exist.

However, what also exits is the possibility of its success and creating the life you always dreamed of.

If entrepreneurship was easy, everyone would be doing it. What separates those who succeed, and those who don't is simple: tenacity.

Have you ever read a bio about someone and thought to yourself "I thought of that!" or "I could have done that".  The only difference between that person and you is that YOU didn't try.

Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs. You will find that every successful business owner will have a story about failure(s) - of when the business really wasn't working very well. But they stuck with it - saw it through, and eventually it succeeded. 

These struggles build character, they define how you will handle business in the future. In essence, they make you a better entrepreneur because you  lived through the hard times - and so did your business.

So if you have always wanted to try your hand at entrepreneurship because you have that ONE great idea - or really want to grow your business and take it to the NEXT LEVEL; make 2010 the year you simply go for it.

Never live your life with regret - you'll never know if it could work, unless you work to make it happen.

Happy 2010!

Last week we asked people to tell us what ONE word summed up Christmas for them.  We had a great response & are very happy to now "show off" our EMN Christmas WordCloud! 

Thank you to everyone who submitted their Christmas Words to us...

Enjoy!