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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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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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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I’ve been working with the creators of StartUpNation since 2001 when I was hired to shoot Rich Sloan doing yoga on the conference room table in the Birmingham Michigan office of the up and coming StartUpNation.  I was recently offered the opportunity to blog about photography if I thought I could contribute to entrepreneurs and start ups. I think I can so I’ll give it a shot.  I’ll be talking about all things photography, from how to do a shoot in the office, to what’s the best stock agency for what your needs are, to rights and usage contracts.  I’ll be answering questions about any thing relating to the business of photography and photography in your business. If I don’t know the answers I’ll look to the vast knowledge base of my peers and will share what I learn with you, so post your questions and comments about you’re photographic quandaries here, and I’ll help you along the image driven super highway of successful businesses.

I should tell you a bit about me.
I began my career as a photographer early in life.  My brother had a darkroom in a closet at our house when I was a sixth grader.  It didn’t take long for my teachers at school to see an opportunity to recruit the next news paper and yearbook photographer.  That’s when I learned that you can have fun and provide a needed service at the same time.  I could get credits for graduation if I work on the year book and news paper staff!  Life was good.  Then one day I was handed a press pass to cover the cheerleaders for a story for the news paper, that was all the motivation I ever needed to pursue my career.  When I was a senior in High School I was introduced to an advertising photographer in my home town of Detroit named Ameen Howrani.  He let me watch him work one day, he was shooting a news crew for the local ABC affiliate.  It was very glamorous, they had food there!  I was face to face with the local anchor man!  That’s when I decided that advertising was where it’s at.  Fast forward 25 years.  I have photographed some really great people, some incredibly beautiful places, and some of the most interesting stuff you’ll ever see.  I picked up a few professional sports teams along the way as well.  Namely the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and currently Tampa Bay Ray’s as well as the NHL, NFL, MLB and other editorial venues related to sports. I’ve had unprecedented access to closed door behind the scenes events in the NFL, NHL, and MLB to name just a few. I was given the opportunity to shoot a book for the Detroit Red Wings called “48 Hours with the Detroit Red Wings”. Its a chronological documentation of what happens in forty eight hours in the world of the Red Wings Hockey team.  I was able to travel with the team to photograph players, coaches, and staff. We took two days to shoot the book so we could show the travel aspect of how the team lives on the road (and above the clouds).  During that shoot I was given access to coaches meetings that had never been photographed before.  One of the best experiences I had with the Red  Wings was Flying on the team jet to Washington DC to the White House to meet President George W Bush.   I was given an assignment by the Detroit Tigers Baseball team to shoot an eighteen page photo essay of Tiger Stadium during the final home stand ever to be played there.  The parting shot was Al Kaline in his nineteen sixty eight world series uniform (it still fit), pondering his days playing in that historic stadium.  The cover shot was of the stadium from the corner of Michigan and Trumble on a Friday night with fireworks lighting the sky.  I was able to get images never before captured, such as the neon Tiger Stadium sign from the roof of the press elevator.  I’m currently team photographer for the Tampa Bay Ray’s Baseball team, and have a nice client list of local and national companies and agencies as well.  I live in the St Petersburg area of Florida where I’ve lived for the past six years.  Before that I lived mostly in the suburbs of Detroit with a few years in New York city.  Please feel free to see some of the photographs I mention here at www.kovich.com

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We have become extremely sedentary as a culture with our dependency on computers and social media. We are so heavily reliant on our computers that we seldom move away from them. BUT, sitting at our desks, which is especially habit forming to those of us with home offices, is not good for our bodies.  I know you do not want to be behind in your work, updates, orders, sales conversions, and blogs…..but, extreme sitting can cause havoc on your behind.

Therefore, I propose - A few ways to Get up and Move:

1. If you have a home-office, place a file cabinet upstairs or downstairs if you can. This way if you need a file, you have to get up and go get it. I know, I know….everyone is always preaching for you to have a dedicated office space. You should have a dedicated work space, but if you can keep a small file cabinet in an upstairs closet or in the basement it is a useful tactic.  Use the cabinet for papers not regularly used on calls, but for files for long-term projects that you spend time working on. Get up and retrieve them as needed, and you will promote a little blood flow.

2. Take advantage of longer days in the summer and walk or bike ride in the early evening. Too Busy with your kids? Make it a family affair, and walk or bike for a fro-yo after dinner.

3. Need to hit the snail mail post office? Another great chance during the day to add in a quick walk if you live near one.

4. Schedule an hour for biz errand running and chunk all your errands together.  Park your car a short distance away from where you need to go and enjoy some moving around while running errands.

5. My personal favorite is lunchtime yoga. Be honest - how many of you already eat lunch at your desks? So, give yourself a tiny break and join a lunchtime yoga class once a week. You will not regret breaking away, will feel super energized for the rest of your day, and you can go back and eat your desk.

There you have it - Five easy ways to get ahead of your behind while keeping up with work.  would you add anything else to the list?

Want to read more on fitting exercise into your busy mompreneur routine? Connect with me here.  Rachel

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