Not sure if you remember, but last spring - I unplugged! That is right, I unplugged for a week with my family.  It was great!  I logged in to my computer once a day just to quickly go through emails in case of anything urgent, but for the remainder of the week, I was PRESENT for face-to-face time.

As winter break approaches and I am going to travel a little with my family, the question of unplugging boils up again.  Well, this time around, I cannot totally unplug because I have a few pressing projects, etc.  However, I only plan to attend to those specific tasks, and unplug for the rest of the time.

As a mom and an entrepreneur, I am not doing my job as a mom if I do not unplug and give full attention to my family when the opportunity presents itself.

So, this semi-unplugging begs the question:  To use an automated ‘out of the office’ message while traveling this holiday season. I say NO.

Don’t fret if you have a different opinion.  I am open to your thoughts, but for me, it is a BIG fat NO to the automated message.

Why? I think that the automated response has a place if you really are somewhere without internet access (where is that?) or ACTUALLY will not be checking email for an extended period of time.  My guess is that will not be the case for most of you.

Even with time off, most of you (and me) will be checking the iphone/berry/droid from time to time.  Isn’t it just easier to do what I did with my initial unplugging?  Simply respond to anything urgent, file away what can wait and needs a response when you are back to work, and delete the junk.

This crazy little unplugging system that I have may seem like a contradiction, but I think a quick daily check of email can really save valuable productive time when you return. With my way, the only emails left in your inbox are the ones that need your attention.

As for what all this has to do with the automated response:  they are annoying; make more junk mail for the recipient; and my guess is that if what your emailee needs is so pressing, they will go on an email frenzy with your inbox and everyone else associated with you.

If this snowball effect happens, it could mean more work for you to clean up in contrast to quickly attending to the matter in the first place.

If you check once a day and respond (currently 24 hours is the minimum courtesy expected to return an email), everything just flows more easily.

As I said, this is my opinion.

I say NO to automation.

If you say YES to automation, share your experiences…..

For more winter vacation survival tips as a mompreneur, click here

AND I do say YES to Merry Everything!

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The holiday season together with the end of the year can create a very stressful time period, especially for start-up business people who are also parents.  You know exactly what I am talking about….

In business, we rely A LOT on ourselves for many small details, so this time of year becomes more than hectic.  There are personal and professional holidays cards to go out, gifts to buy and send for family AND possibly customers/clients/associates, holiday parties, family dinners, expenses to gather, business and personal travel to navigate, school vacations, daycare closures, babysitters spending time away, end of the year numbers, goal setting for the new year, and next thing you know it is January 1st!

Recently, I have employed a number of stress reducing tips to help me survive this time of year both as an entrepreneur and mom.  If we are so frazzled when the New Year arrives, we will start off on the wrong foot, and no one wants to do that!

5 Ways to Lighten Holiday Season Stress:

Do NOT hesitate to shop online. Online Shopping is easy, and guess what?  If you wake up just a half hour early or stay up a tiny bit late on one or two occasions, you can get all your shopping finished (right from your own comfy couch).  You can find everything from unique start-up business items to big box retailers online.  Make it simple…..find one or two items that you like, and buy a bunch of them.

Search for a bigger discount and/or free shipping. There are many discount code sites where you can access savings available for cyber shopping.  Saving a few bucks here and there is a fabulous anti-stress technique if you ask me!  I like Retail Me Not.  Just search for the store or item, and save more….

Do not let exercise and health fall by the wayside. This is a biggie!  Often when we are eating holiday goodies and extremely busy, the first thing to go is our workout plan.  This is a BAD idea because exercise is stress relief and we all know we need just that during this time of year.

Do NOT apologize for taking time with family. As parents in business, this time of year requires taking some time off to be with family - No explanations necessary.  Enjoy your time with the kiddos, nieces and nephews!  Have a big order to fill? Major paper filing to do? Or even serious gift wrapping?….Make it a Family Affair!

Saying NO is OK.  Although we want to attend every party, bake a goodie for every bake sale around, visit every relative, and make time for each and every cause, WE CANNOT!  Say No to just one or two items on the list, and guess what?  You may just find the time to fit in your exercise!

Happy Holiday Prep to all of you….Rachel

Looking for more work/life balance exploration? Visit me at http://backngroovemom.com

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The article elaborated on how Dorsey’s days are themed so to speak.  For each 8-hour shift, he is working on a particular aspect of the company, such as product development or marketing.  While reading the piece, I was struck by mental lightning!

As moms in business, we essentially work 2 different shifts (at least we should).  We are startup business people for part of the day, but whenever we decide to quit, we are moms.  (Pay attention to the deciding to quit part.)

A common complaint that I hear from moms in business everywhere (and this probably pertains to all home based business people with families) is that the 2 roles often run together.  When we mix our offices with our home life, which is all too often the case, being a mom and a business person intersect, crash, and merge continuously throughout the days.

Just this past weekend, I was at a party and a mom who works from home approached me on this exact subject.  How did I recommend setting boundaries? Which ways did I not only enforce to my kids that I was working, but let go of work when it was family time?  Did I find it difficult to turn off work since it was so readily available at home?

Moms in Business feel the pull between both of their babies, both human and business.  Our children need our attention, love, and understanding, but so do our growing businesses.  I think that we can all take a lesson from Jack Dorsey, so I incorporated some of his techniques in my tips for being both a MOM and an ENTREPRENEUR:

First, define and separate the time periods for working on business AND families.  Now, I know first hand that being a mom is a 24 hour gig, but there are hours that our children are in childcare, with family, or at school.  These are hours that we can count on to work on our businesses.  Define the ‘shifts’ to increase boundaries.

Second, hold a planning session with the one and only - YOU - on Sunday Night.  Set your tasks for the week, and use Dorsey’s themed days as an example.  Maybe an accounting day or a day spent entirely in meetings back to back for that particular week?  Set expectations, commitments, and ‘themes’ for the week.

Third, resist the urge to let the 2 roles collide. This is extremely difficult with or without a home office because let’s face it, where we go, our smart phone goes.  Resist the temptation to answer one last email or take one last call when it is family time.  I am certainly not perfect at this, but what I can guarantee is that when you overlap one role into the other, you are not providing either ‘company’ your full attention, which leads to mistakes and/or extra work (trust me).  Give each position your undivided attention when you are set to work on that project.

Fourth and finally, be forgiving. Do not beat yourself up over wanting to work certain hours on your business plan.  Do not feel guilty about setting boundaries on your business when it is time for you to be a MOM.  Be firm and peaceful with your plan because your business and your children are both your babies.

Can you suggest any scheduling tips and tricks to help remove overlap, leave out guilt, and improve performance?

Rachel

http://backngroovemom.com

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I don’t want to!

Wa! Wa! Wa!

Sounds like a small child not getting his or her way, doesn’t it?

Well, believe it or not, I’ve heard plenty of adults saying these exact same things recently and felt the need for a little pep talk via this blog.

Whether it’s a difficult kickboxing class, a small-business meeting or a social event, the buzz out there is negative.

Well, I’ve got news for you “Negative Nancies.” It’s time for an attitude adjustment!

Yes, things are ugly in the news today, and you may be feeling a significant strain on your budget. But you’re not going to get anywhere is you don’t change your thought pattern. And more importantly…

Strong people are feeding off your weakness right now!

That’s right. The more negative you are about your business, physical health, finances… the list goes on… the more your competitors are taking advantage of your weakness.

While you focus on the negative, we’re focusing on how to turn a bad situation into a positive one.

While you’re crying over the stock market, we’re increasing our financial education.

While you’re moping around in front of the television, we’re exercising and taking care of ourselves.

Things Can Get Better.

There are new clients and customers out there with money to spend on your products and services.

There is a way to improve your financial situation even if you are flat broke.

There is a way to feel better emotionally and physically.

But you’ve got to take action right now.

And it doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. Start with a small step. Conduct some research online to find information about improving your finances, business and health. Hang out with positive role models who can give you good advice and guidance. Change your mindset and think positive thoughts.

This may sound simple, but if you are whining about your current situation and not willing to take any action, your situation is not likely going to change soon now, is it?

And after all, isn’t it time you started to take control of your destiny?

With this in mind, try to stop looking at your negative balance-sheet, turn off that reality television-show, avoid hanging out with naysayers, and put down that bag of potato chips. And more importantly, stop whining and start doing!

It doesn’t take much to go in a positive direction. Take a small action right now to make your dreams a reality. You just may be surprised at how fast your life turns around!

(This concludes my pep talk for this week. I hope you go for it and become the success you are meant to be.)

And if you have questions about SEO copywriting, please write to me below, or check out the free information on my site at www.rembrandtwrites.com. Thanks!

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Last week, I wrote about the beginning steps of forming a childcare cooperative.  Why is this type of initiative vital to start-up business?  Well, if you are a parent and trying to grow a business at the same time as your kids, quality child coverage is hard to find and costly!  We never want to skimp when it comes to our kids, however, we are more than likely operating on lean budgets with our business.  Striking a partnership with another parent or two under similar circumstances is a fabulous solution.  You know who your kids are with, your kids know the plan, and by returning the favor you retain CASH.

As both parents and business owners, we try to be available to our children on most occasions.  There are times that we cannot swing it.  Thinking ahead of the curve translates to success for all involved.

You do not have to be Super Mom or Dad on every day off!  Your kids can learn valuable lessons from other fabulous parents just like you can provide fun experiences for other kids.  When your kids are invited out, it is a chance for them to learn something new while you are a Super Business Person for the day!

If you forgot the details of the first few steps, you can catch up here. Otherwise, let’s get down to the business of arranging for a childcare partnership.

Once you have located and pitched the other parent(s) to be involved:

1. Negotiate Up Front - Just like you would in a business bartering arrangement, negotiate your childcare partnership up front.  Make certain all parties are happy with the terms.  For example, snow delays and cancellations are a reality in many states, and a real pain to the parents affected.  I have an agreement with another mom that on certain days of the week, I take all the kids in a delay and other days, she is in charge.  On cancellation days, we split the day in half with each of us taking a half-day with the troops.  Planning ahead of time makes last minute surprises, such as a few inches of snow and ice, much less expensive in relation to last minute childcare plans and hours lost.
2. Pay in Advance - Are you planning on taking a day off for a particular National Holiday, taking a time out over spring break, or heading to the museum on an in-service day for your school?  Invite a few of your kids’ friends to go.  That’s right, I am suggesting that you add a couple MORE kids to your day.  When you are a helpful mom on a day off of school, it makes asking another mom a lot more natural on another day.  School Vacations, In-Service Days, and National Holidays can make moms feels that their kids never go to school.  If you set the tone for partnership, a few of these days off can actually be extremely productive days in business for you.
3. Family Last - You have heard the expression Family First, when it comes to childcare, I reserve Family for Last.  You may be scratching your head and questioning this.  It can become very easy to ask other family members - grandparents, aunts & uncles, siblings - to take charge of your kiddos.  I recommend saving these chits for when you really need them.  Sick days are particularly difficult and expensive to find a solution.  This is the type of day that I save family members for….who else would take better care of a sneezing, coughing little one?  Have a biz trip that you need added hours of help or overnight care?  Another example of when to call in the family.  Reserving Family as a Last Resort is the key to effective cost management when you may need childcare the most.

You must think of the time when it is most important to you that Family be involved in child care.  Prioritize your reasons and Save your Family for those times.  This way, your Family stays a viable option!

There you have it!  Time to put your partnership to work and Grow your Business and Your Kids at the Same Time!  Visit my blog on Monday — I am sure that I will be updating on my half day with kids and half day of work – http://backngroovemom.com

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I really love twitter. Actually, I can’t stand it.  What a wonderful tool - and what a waste. I am so conflicted - I am the @chazbono of Twitter users.

I’m not going to take the time to explain to you what Twitter is, because you already know what it is.  It’s easy to spot someone (particularly news reporters) who doesn’t know Twitter because he/she will call it “The Twitter” or “Twittercom” or “Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) said on something called Twitter today….”

So, everybody’s HEARD of Twitter at this point, but according to recent studies, only 8% of you actively use Twitter.  Moreover, Twitter has something like an 83% dormant account rate.  That’s a TON of people who sign up, play with it, and then quit.  You know why?

Because Twitters’ interface is AWFUL.  Twitter is a gigantic river of 140 character bursts of information and you don’t have a boat or a paddle.  You are a blind man stumbling around in a vast rain forest of data - sure, you can find what you want if you feel around long enough, but 83% of you just give up after a while.

The problem is that the data is BEAUTIFUL.  There are tons of great and interesting people on Twitter who want to share what they know with you.  Celebrities can give you a peek into their worlds like never before. Organizations can inform you about their products or services. News travels at light speed on Twitter - you can literally be on the ground with someone during an attack, or an uprising, or an earthquake the instant it’s happening.  I love Twitter for that…

…and I hate Twitter because it’s just too simple of an interface and too damn hard to figure out.  Who do I Follow?  How do I find Twitternames? Why do we type a # sign before a word when search finds it anyway? Why am I only shown the last 500 people I’ve followed when I try to send an @ message to someone?  How am I supposed to whittle down my thought to 140 characters? (Seriously, how much time is spent writing the thought vs editing the thought? 50/50% thought so.) How do I search my follower or following list? What do you mean I can’t send DM’s unless they follow me too?  Does anybody even use the DM’s anyway? Which URL shortener do I use? Pictures?  Is anybody even listening to me? VALIDATE ME DAMMIT! Waiter, check please.

EVERY marketing person you talk to about Twitter, after you explain your difficulty using it, will reply “Well that’s because you’re not using Twitter correctly.  Twitter is for starting conversations”.  If you don’t believe me, go ask anyone you know in marketing about using Twitter and see what they say.  In fact, “Twitter is for conversations” is the Free Space in Twitter Bingo. I mean, that’s awesome and all, but if I can’t figure out how to use it, guess what - I’M NOT GOING TO USE IT.

It all just makes me want to kick Twitters’ ass right in the face.

There are several other gigantic streams of information out there, you know.  One is called Google. Another is called Facebook. A third is called Wikipedia.  Then, of course, there’s the largest information stream out there, which is called The Real World.  None of them are perfect - all of them have their own unique problems.  Twitter is a treasure trove of valuable information, but let’s face it, folks:

Twitter needs a better way to find and share information, or it’s a Kardashian.

Kevin Harmon

CEO Red Shorts Media

Twitter: Imadness

Facebook: YesTHATKevinHarmon

LinkedIn:  thekevinharmon

kevin@redshortsmedia.com

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Often, as parents and business owners, we start to feel that our kids are out of school more than in school.  The question of what to do with our kids on all these days OFF is HUGE! Quality occasional childcare is expensive and hard to find, so what I suggest is create a partnership with another mom or dadpreneur.

Forming a Childcare Cooperative is a fabulous solution to a very large and difficult problem. In small business, keeping costs down is a necessity, and exorbitant rates for child coverage does not exactly fit the plan.  Striking a deal with another mom or dad is an easy way to navigate high rates and know that your kids are in good hands.

You may be thinking this does not apply to you because often mom and dadpreneurs work their businesses around home life.  Often, parents & business owners work late nights and early mornings, during naps and school hours, but there is always a window where coverage is a necessity.

Take advantage of finding a solution up front because last minute arrangements prove to be stressful and expensive.  Not to mention, kids are unhappy with who, what, & where when a plan is a surprise to them.

Leaving happy kids makes you a much more productive parent and entrepreneur.  Not to mention the incredible experiences that your kids can have with different parents’ expertise.

Over the next few weeks, I will share some steps that will help you establish a partnership with another parent or two or three.

Here are your first 2 steps:

1. The ‘Talk’ - The first step in the equation is to connect with your spouse/partner - even if you are divorced - and make sure that you each take ownership of what your individual responsibilities are as a parent.  This is what I like to call the ‘talk.’  A crucial step in dividing up tasks is knowing who is the parent in charge of finding coverage when there is a shortage.  (note - if you are a solo parent & a solopreneur….just move on to the next step)
2. Turn a playdate into a Pitch - The second step is finding another mom or dad or a few parents that you trust in a similar scenario.  These are other parents who you trust and also need a helping hand when it comes to childcare. Make a plan to connect over coffee or a playdate, and present the idea.

Now you have the first 2 steps…Get started!  Stay tuned for next week when I discuss more in the Formula for Growing Your Business and Kids at the Same Time…..

Visit me anytime at http://backngroovemom.com where I highlight my adventures as a mom and startup biz owner!

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In the middle of this aforementioned mess that I refer to as my life, I am also preparing final copy for a one-sheet to be handed out at a conference next week.  Being the perfectionist that I am, not only has the copy kept me up at night, but while doing it I found 10 copy areas that I want to change across my website.  Yet another pressing item that interfered with my sleep.

The reason why I mention all this goes full circle to me discussing stress busters on my own blog.  I left out SLEEP as a way of beating stress.  I do not know if that was some crazy subconscious thing, but sleep was not on the list.  I listed exercise, eating right, and laughter as the top busters. Sleep was missing from the list.

Typically, I do tend to burn the midnight oil AND take advantage of being a morning person.  Earlier in the week while working on my copy and finding it difficult to step away, several people said to me ‘sleep on it.’  In other words - give it a rest and look at it with a fresh eye tomorrow.

I took the meaning of ‘sleep on it’ a step further.  I interpreted the statement literally.  I realized that I was in fact very tired and really did need a good night’s sleep.  What did I do?  I slept on it, literally and figuratively.

I powered down all my various devices and hit the hay.  When I woke up in the morning, I felt great and absolutely ready to attack the task at hand.  I finished the copy with a new perspective, and I physically felt much different.  I am now moving SLEEP to the top of my stress buster list.

As start-up business people (and moms/dads), our lives are hectic and full.  We need to take care of our businesses (and families) and often forget about ourselves.  I know myself - I grab another cup of coffee or diet coke and keep plugging away.  This catches up with me and you all too easily.

Yes, we need to make time to laugh and exercise.  It is always important to eat right.  BUT, most important is SLEEP.  Allow yourself the time to walk away from whatever project you are working on, power down, and relax.  Getting a solid night’s sleep will not only give you a fresh approach but make you feel great.

Think of it this way - SLEEP = PRODUCTIVITY.

Want to read more about stress relief or my latest mishap - check out http://backngroovemom.com

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My thoughts were that YOU cannot afford to skip ME time, and my task was for you to make a list of 3 ways that you like to pamper yourself (I know you are laughing - what, pamper myself?)

You do not have to share your list…it is personal, but I have a very simple solution on where to locate more time for YOU!

Watch this and see how I suggest that you find some time to incorporate your pamper ME list.

I know that this may seem silly, but it is a really good exercise to track time.  It is important to measure this vital resource, both how much we use and on what.

I track (or at least try my best) my time directly in my calendar, but there are so many ways that you can record what you do and for how long.  You can go old school with paper and pencil or high tech with an app for your phone.  It does not matter how you do it, just that you actually keep track of your time!

Time is your most valuable resource in running your business, especially if YOU are in a service oriented biz.  So, cut the fat, get rid of wasted time, and spend a few quality minutes on YOU because ME time will make you approach business and life better and stronger!

Want more tips on balancing life and biz?  Visit me at http://backngroovemom.com and read more on fitting it all in.

Anyone want to comment on what their biggest time-waster is??

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I thought of how this question may relate to my larger start-up biz audience here at StartUpNation, and I easily found my answer in the original question — “Can we find time for pampering?”

I hear from so many entrepreneurs, not only moms and women, but men, too –  “I just do not have time for ME!” or “ME time is a luxury that I cannot afford right now.”

Well, I question how you simply cannot afford to go without a bit of ME time.  Although we all define what pampering means differently to each of us, every person is entitled to a little bit of it.  As a start-up biz person, who lives and breathes their business, more than likely works out of their home probably close to round the clock, and has invested the majority of their time, energy, love, and money into their venture…..YOU need some ME time!

So, while I plan to make some very real suggestions to mompreneurs everywhere on how they can fit a tiny bit of precious pampering, I ask you, StartUpNation Readers, to make a short list.  That list should include the top three ways that you like to enjoy ME time.  Honestly, your top choice could be as simple as shutting off your phone and reading a book for 30 minutes or indulging in an hour of yoga or perhaps a massage.

Make your list, hang it above your desk, and think about whether you take the time or not.

If you do, share with us why it is so important to make the time.

If you do not, stay tuned for some helpful hints as to allowing yourself time to indulge in YOU!

In the meantime, read about my recent brush with excess time and how I prefer the craziness and chaos at http://backngroovemom.com

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