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Do you love your business? Or are you just going through the motions because you need the money?
When I first launched my freelance business, I took every paying gig I could get my hands on. I wrote 1600+ word posts for $20. If I knew anything at all about the industry, or thought I could quickly learn, I sent the pitch.
As you can imagine, it didn’t take long for me to burn out. To get discouraged about how little I was earning. I thought about quitting.
But, the more I thought, the more I realized I enjoyed pieces of my business. So I started making changes.
It’s a lot easier to work on your business if you’re enjoying what you do.
What If You Don’t Love What You Do?
Are you like I was, spending hours working on tasks you don’t enjoy? If you aren’t doing what you love, it’s time for some analysis.
Get a piece of paper and a pencil, or open up a blank document. Here are some questions for you to answer:
- What are your three favorite parts of your business?
- Why?
- Which parts of your business are your least favorite?
- Why?
- Can you see yourself doing this same business in five or ten years?
- What does your ideal client look like?
Spend some time, and answer those. When you’re done, come back!
Making Baby Step Changes
Alright, what did you learn about your business? If you already love what you’re doing, feel free to stop now and skip down to the end.
Don’t love what you’re doing? Keep reading!
If there’s a disconnect between what you’re doing and what you love, it’s time to make some baby step changes. Otherwise, you may not see it worthwhile to continue working at home with your kids when you don’t even enjoy what you do. You may struggle to put in the effort it requires.
You probably can’t change everything overnight, but you can start taking steps in the right direction.
- Stop taking gigs that consume your life.
- Set boundaries with your clients.
- Decide what you enjoy doing most, and brainstorm ways to do more of that.
- Outsource dreaded tasks to a virtual assistant if possible, or find ways to minimize them.
- Raise your rates.
- Be pickier when it comes to taking a job. Not every client is worth it, even if you need the money!
- Offer service packages based around what you love.
Slowly Shape Your Business
A beautiful thing about being a business owner is your ability to shape your business. It’s not a static entity, and as you discover what you love and what you’re good at, your business will slowly change.
My business has certainly shifted over time. When I first started this blog, it was pretty directionless. I really saw it just as a means to landing freelance clients.
But, I’ve discovered I really love sharing tips for balancing diapers and deadlines. It’s something I know, and a topic I’m good at. I like helping other moms find success working at home WITH their kids.
So I’m slowly shifting my blog away from samples and turning it into a viable business all on its own. It took me about eighteen months to find my purpose and to make these changes.
I still enjoy writing and being a VA, so I’ll continue growing the service aspects of my business, but I now have this extra entity. It’s exciting to see the changes, and I’m looking forward to the future.
We Don’t Know the Future
Your business today isn’t necessarily what your business will look like six or twelve months in the future. If you’re discouraged, find ways to make changes.
You can do it! You can turn your business into one that you love. It just may take a little time, one baby step at a time.
M is for…
Come back tomorrow for the next post in this series. By the time I’m done, you’ll have 26 tips to help you work at home with kids successfully!
Remember if you’re struggling with something in particular, leave a note in the comments and I’ll either answer it in the comments or incorporate your question into one of my upcoming posts.
Know someone struggling to work at home with kids? Share this post with them!
Lisa Tanner is a former teacher turned homeschooling mom with 11 kids. She's also a successful freelance writer. Lisa enjoys helping other busy moms find time to start and grow a side hustle of their own.
My son is now 15 so it’s easier to do some work at home. Good luck with the Blogust Challenge from one challenger to another:)
Thank you so much Kim! My oldest is 15, and teens are so much help. Good luck to you as well!