Life Balance

How Moms Can Get Back into the Workforce by Becoming Successful Entrepreneurs

October 19, 2023

Many moms have had to step out of the workforce to take care of their children and families. However, with the evolution of technology and the rise of entrepreneurship, more and more moms are finding ways to balance both family life and running their own successful businesses. Starting a new business may seem overwhelming, but with proper planning, resources, and a determined mindset, becoming a successful entrepreneur can be a viable option for moms who want to get back into the workforce. Here, NMC Coaching provides some tips to get you started.

How Moms Can Get Back into the Workforce by Becoming Successful Entrepreneurs

Recognize New Market Trends

If you want to pursue an entrepreneurial endeavor, you’ll first need to recognize new market trends, including:

● Consumers want on-demand services and products

● More shopping takes place online than ever before

● Digital storefronts are just as important as retail storefronts

With this information in mind, you should come up with your business idea and business plan based on your interests or desires. For example, maybe you can start a new marketing agency, start up a freelance web design company, or do something else entirely.

Just be sure to choose something that accounts for the above market trends!

From Stay-at-Home Mom to Successful Entrepreneur: A Guide for Moms

Consider Returning to School

Before your new business gets off the ground, you might want to go back to school to get an online degree or finish your education. There’s no better time to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree than when you’re laid off or working from home, as you have much more time on your hands. The right degree can give you the skills you need to thrive as an entrepreneur.

How to Start a New Business

Start your new entrepreneurial endeavor by:

● Writing a business plan

● Applying for funding (if needed), such as a business loan

● Hiring any necessary employees

● Buying supplies, like server hosting or product materials

● Choosing a business structure

As you grow your business, consider establishing a limited liability company. LLCs are advantageous as they shield your personal assets from potential lawsuits and offer tax advantages, flexibility, and minimal paperwork.

Ensure you get paid on time for your services by developing a process for invoicing. This can include billing clients immediately after services are rendered and offering them multiple payment options. You can create a branded invoice by using an invoice maker. Choose from a variety of templates and then add your terms, billing info, typeface, and logo.

How Marketing May Make a Big Difference

Starting a business is one thing — making sure that it thrives is another. You can market your business effectively and see stellar results or fail to market your brand and go out of business.

The best ways to market your business include:

● Using SEO (search engine optimization) and other research tools to identify your target audience

● Advertising directly to that audience with social media ads, banner ads, Google ads, and more

● Using email marketing to connect with and build long-term relationships with your core customers

Fortunately, the more you market for your business, the better you’ll get at it, and the more bang you’ll get for every marketing buck you spend. You may also want to bring in a digital marketing agency to optimize your website, SEO, and social media posts.

Also, make sure any marketing graphics or icons are of high quality and well designed; hire a graphic designer if need be. If you do work with a designer, get familiar with a file conversion tool so that it is easier for you to send high quality graphics through email. JPGs are often too large, but a PDF will preserve the quality while lessening the file size. You can easily convert your image format to documents using free online tools. Just drop in the file and the tool will do the rest.

The Mompreneur’s Guide to Success: How to Build a Thriving Business While Balancing Family Life

Achieve Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!

Ultimately, it’s more possible than ever before for women just like you to achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions. There are many digital tools and resources you can use to get started. All you have to do is trust yourself, make a plan, and work to achieve your goal!.

If you are stuck and need some help determining what to do next with your life, contact NMC Coaching for guidance!

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Career, Motherhood, Productivity

How to Effortlessly Cultivate Wellness in Your Remote Job

September 7, 2023

In the evolving landscape of remote work, prioritizing wellness has become paramount. This article presented by NMC Coaching delves into practical strategies to seamlessly integrate well-being into your remote job routine, ensuring a balanced and fulfilling work-life experience.

**How to Effortlessly Cultivate Wellness in Your Remote Job**

Establishing an Exercise Program

Incorporating physical activity into your remote routine can boost energy levels and mental clarity. As a working mom, finding time for exercise might seem challenging, but the benefits are worth it. Regular exercise not only enhances your physical health but also positively impacts your mood and productivity. Simple home workouts like yoga, stretching, or short cardio sessions can easily be incorporated into your daily schedule. Aim for consistency rather than intensity, even if it means starting with just a few minutes each day. A brisk walk during breaks or some calming stretches can make a world of difference in boosting your remote work wellness.

Care for Yourself

Remote work can blur the boundaries between work and personal life, making self-care essential. As a working mom juggling various responsibilities, taking care of yourself might feel like a luxury, but it’s a necessity. Dedicate time to practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply stepping away from your desk for a few minutes to recharge. Create a designated workspace that promotes relaxation and minimizes distractions. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal time will help you maintain focus, reduce stress, and boost your overall well-being.

Develop Healthy Eating Habits

Crafting nutritious meals while working remotely can positively impact your energy levels and productivity. As a working mom, meal planning can be a lifesaver. Design a weekly meal plan that includes a mix of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Opt for balanced snacks that keep you energized throughout the day. Staying hydrated is equally important, so keep a water bottle handy on your desk. By nourishing your body with the right foods and staying hydrated, you’re setting the foundation for a healthier and more productive remote work routine.

Staying connected while working remotely

Develop Social Connections

Isolation can be a challenge in remote work, especially for working moms who are used to bustling family environments. Prioritize staying connected with colleagues, friends, and family through virtual meetings, group chats, and online communities. Schedule virtual coffee breaks or catch-up sessions with colleagues to maintain a sense of camaraderie. Join online groups or forums where you can share experiences and gain support from other working moms navigating the remote work landscape. These connections will not only combat feelings of isolation but also enhance your remote work wellness.

Wellness Made Easy: A Remote Worker’s Guide to Self-Care

Taking Pride in Success

As a working mom, you’re accomplishing feats both big and small every day. Acknowledging these achievements is vital for your motivation and mental well-being. Celebrate milestones, whether work-related or personal, by treating yourself to a favorite snack, taking a short walk, or simply reflecting on your successes. Creating a positive work environment that acknowledges your efforts can boost your self-esteem and overall satisfaction with remote work.

Going Outside

Fresh air and sunlight can work wonders for your remote work wellness. As a working mom, taking breaks outdoors can offer a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. Consider incorporating short walks during breaks, having outdoor lunches, or even setting up a temporary outdoor workspace if feasible. These outdoor moments can help clear your mind, reduce stress, and enhance your focus when you return to your tasks.

Digitizing Documents into PDFs

Efficiency is key in remote work, especially for working moms who often juggle multiple responsibilities at once. Streamlining work processes, such as converting important documents into PDFs, offers easy sharing, accessibility, and compatibility across devices, ultimately saving you time and stress when searching for essential information. If you need to convert to PDF online, utilize tools that allow you to annotate, highlight, and make notes on PDFs, further enhancing your remote work efficiency.

Remote Work Wellness: Tips for Staying Healthy and Happy

Balancing wellness and remote work is not only feasible but essential for sustained productivity and happiness. By integrating exercise, self-care, healthy eating, efficient document management, etc., remote-working moms can effortlessly cultivate a thriving and fulfilling work routine. Remember, taking care of yourself ultimately benefits both your work and your family, creating a harmonious and rewarding remote work experience.

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Career

Advice for Parents With Disabilities: How to Make Your Dream of Running a Business Come True

September 25, 2022

As a parent with disabilities, you may not know how to make your dreams of entrepreneurship come true. How do you ensure you can balance your obligations as a parent, your health, and a business? Navigating Motherhood Coaching wants you to know that you can succeed with a plan, a home-based office, and a connection with clients.

For disabled parents: How to create your dream business

Start With a Plan

Before your dreams become a reality, you need a strategy. A business plan helps you manage your company through every stage. Many entrepreneurs choose a comprehensive traditional plan. This type of plan includes a summary of your mission, how you plan to be successful, and market analysis. It also details your financial projections, funding needs, and business structure.

To complete a market analysis, you need to look at your industry and target market. Check out the competitors and consider their strengths. What makes your competition successful? Figure out how you can offer something better. In addition to identifying your target audience, market research can also tell you if your business ideas are profitable. Always stay up-to-date on the market to ensure you know what clients want, even when needs change.

Make an Accessible Workspace

If your disability affects your mobility, you may want to consider a home-based business. Not only can you create an accessible workspace for yourself, but it also gives you more time to be with your children. You can sell anything from your home and use social media to advertise. And you don’t have to worry about non-compliant offices or other hurdles related to your disability.

You may need to meet with clients in your home depending on your business. Creating a distinct work area is vital for these interactions. You don’t want a client sitting at your dining room table with your toddler coloring next to them! Converting an unused room is the ideal situation, but if you can’t devote that amount of space, create a clear division between work and home by using dividers or strategic furniture placement. Also be aware that smells carry throughout your house. Even pleasant cooking smells should be whisked away by a quiet but efficient range hood in your kitchen. That way your client won’t be thinking about their dinner plans during your late afternoon meeting.

Things to consider if you are starting a home based business

Create a Financial Strategy

There are grants available for small business owners with disabilities, including those to help you with medical expenses, housing, and equipment. In some cases, you may have to establish a limited liability company before applying for the grants. In addition, look for other small business funding sources, like loans and lines of credit. It’s important to check your credit score before you go out soliciting funding. Many lenders will only fund individuals whose credit report shows they can handle money well. If your score is too low, consider postponing your quest for loans until you are able to raise your score.

Creating a financial plan can help you work toward your small business goals. If you are interested in investors, you need to have a proposal written out to show them how you plan to generate revenue and manage your expenses. If your company requires equipment, you may benefit from equipment financing. When you finance equipment, you do not have to worry about collateral because the equipment is collateral.

Use Accounting Software

Unless you’re a sole proprietor, you probably can’t get by without business accounting software. When you have business accounting software, it’s much easier to keep track of your business finances. This type of software can help you track your business income and expenses, so you always know where your business stands financially. Without business accounting software, it would be very easy to overlook crucial financial details, which could eventually lead to problems for your business. This software can also help you manage inventory and invoicing, so you can streamline your business operations and save time.

Connect With Your Clients

Make your customers feel special. Take note of how they interact with your brand. The way clients engage with you and your company can tell you a lot about your customer base. Learn to take constructive criticism. Respond to client concerns and encourage client satisfaction. Nowadays, most people have online platforms. Use your business page to connect with the customers. Keep your social media voice relatable to others. Be fun and casual on the internet.

As a parent with disabilities, you have your hands full at all times. Sometimes, you may not have time to generate your own content. Share your clients’ content on social media. For instance, if you sell products and your clients highlight the product on their page or take pictures of your services, repost them on social media. Encourage customers to talk about your brand.

Many people choose to include their pets on their social media posts to get the attention of the many pet-lovers out there. If you do choose to include your fur child on camera, make sure they’re at their best through regular grooming. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a professional though. Look online for great smelling pet shampoos. Then, get the kids involved in a designated spa day for your pooch to ensure they are always camera ready.

For disabled parents: How to start a home based business

You Can Juggle It All

Your life is full of hurdles. You may feel like you do not have the time for your professional ventures, but if you have a dream then you should pursue it. Start by creating a space that is designated for you to work, and ensure it has everything you need exactly where you need it. And take advantage of help through formation services and by re-posting your client’s content on social media. Juggling it all is about finding the shortcuts and the right support. You’ve got this, so make your vision a reality!

If you’re looking for a coach to come alongside you and motivate you to make your business a reality, then contact Darcey at Navigating Motherhood Coaching.

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Personal Development

How To Make Decisions When You Feel Stuck

September 19, 2022

If you are preparing for a career transition or another big event in your life, you may feel stuck. You may feel like you can’t take the first step. Maybe you don’t feel courageous. Maybe you feel hopeless about your current situation. You could just be feeling too drained to make that first move. However, there is one thing that stops people time and time again from achieving their goals. This one thing makes us play small and stay in our comfort zones.

How to make decisions when you feel stuck

You probably think I’m going to say fear of change, but while that is a factor, it’s only part of it. The one thing that stops us in our tracks is the difficulty with or inability to make decisions.

Do you ever have this problem? You are thinking about something for weeks or months. You want to make a decision, but you just can’t. You haven’t picked an end date, you’re asking everyone you know what you should do, you’re going back and forth and this decision is hanging over you like a dark cloud. Moths or years will go by and you still haven’t taken action. Why not? Well, because you’re afraid of making the wrong decision. You want to please others and be well liked. You are placing too much emphasis on what others think. Then where does that leave you? It leaves you stuck and with unfulfilled dreams. In this post, I’ll give you several strategies to help you make decisions when you feel stuck.

I’m capable of making decisions that are best for me

Follow Your Intuition

The most important thing is to follow your intuition. Some of us don’t trust us and have fears of this because we don’t trust ourselves, but this is the only thing in the end that really matters.
If we can feel that a decision is good for us in our body, that is so important. That means it’s a healthy decision for us. If there is negative tension in our body around this decision, we may need to rethink it.

Set a Deadline

The second most important thing to do is set a dead line. Pick a date to make a decision by and stick to it. Market on your calendar if you have to. Meanwhile you can use the strategies listed below.

Do Research

Do your research. If it’s something you’re deciding such as which product to buy, how much to spend on certain items, which school your kids should attend, which classes you want to take etc. Google is your friend. Other times research may involve calling a company, driving to different locations, interviewing people, visiting a library etc. Write down the results of your research if necessary. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t be afraid to keep investigating. Your intuition will serve you well here. For example, if you are making a career decision, Talk to people who work for the company you are interested in. Visit their website, check out the company culture and values, look for salary information, look at reviews etc.

If you do the proper research, you can make your decision not only on your intuition and feelings, but the hard facts as well. Using both of these methods, you will make a decision you feel comfortable with.

I believe in my ability to make decisions

Meditation

Meditation can work as well. If you were questioning something major in your life, maybe you want to meditate over it for several days or weeks. Let your intuition guide you. After each meditation, you may want to write down your thoughts and or feelings about what came up for you. Then using what you wrote down, you can use this information to guide your decision.

Pros and Cons List

A simple way is to make a pros and cons list. Which ever list is longer is the one that is your deciding factor. This may be a good strategy for simple decisions, but if it’s something more complicated where you have to weigh all the factors, this might not work for you.

Deciding between healthy and unhealthy food

Ask for Advice

Finally, you may want to ask someone for advice. However, if you have a pattern of struggling to make decisions based on what other people think or fear that they will not like you depending on the decision you make, I would use this sparingly. It should be someone you trust, someone that can keep an open mind and someone who can keep things confidential. Especially if it’s a sensitive topic. Again, someone that is trustworthy is key. I would also suggest against asking too many people for advice. The more people you involve, the muddy or the waters. Unless the decision directly affects someone, you don’t have to involve them. unless you feel good about doing so.

Some questions you should ask yourself in the decision making process:

Am I calm and thinking clearly?
Do I need to step away from the situation before making my final decision?
What are the consequences of either side of my decision?
Does my decision align with my values?
What would I tell a friend if she came to me asking for advice?

How to make confident and clear decisions

To summarize if you are having decision fatigue or you are struggling to make decisions because of fear or people pleasing,, there are several strategies that can help. Following your intuition, setting a deadline, meditation, using a pros and cons list, doing your research and or asking others for advice. What strategies do you use to make decisions? Tell me in the comments.

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Productivity

How to Adjust to a New Routine

September 12, 2022

I’ve been talking to my audience and one thing that keeps coming up is the struggle with adjusting to a new routine. It’s September, so that means back to school. That means getting up earlier, rushing out of the house and having to be on your kids about getting dressed and doing anything to get them out the door. If you struggle with this, you are not alone. Here are several strategies to adjust to or create a new routine that your family will love. If they don’t love the new routine, it will be at least tolerable. Maybe even enjoyable.

The Purpose of Your Routine

First, look at your why. Why does this new routine need to happen? It being September, the most obvious reason would be the kids going back to school, but there may be other reasons to start a new routine such as a new baby, a move, the start of a new job etc. Looking at the reasons behind any new routine will help you stay clear and focused.

Planning Your New Routine

To begin creating your new plan, ask the following questions. Write out the answers and share them with family if necessary.

What needs to happen in the morning?
What needs to happen at night?
Who needs to get up when?
What could you do to speed up your morning routine?
Who will do which tasks?

Routine Tweaks and or Suggestions

Create a schedule for use of the bathroom if you have to.
Maybe kids need baths at night instead.
Create a chore chart for the kids.
Set out clothes the night before.
Pack lunches the night before.
Start the routine a couple weeks before the actual change needs to happen.

Practice Gratitude

In order for change to be welcome and to stick, you have to find some benefit in it. It can take at least 21 days for new habits to stick, so don’t get discouraged if anyone in the family slips back to their old ways of doing things.

What are the benefits of the new routine?
What are you grateful for?
Will it give you more time to yourself.
Will it give your kids more structure?
Will you get more work done?

Relieve Your Anxiety

Is there any anxiety around your new routine? Change can be scary if it is a large change. Humans are creatures of habit so even small changes can be bothersome. If you find yourself resisting, it’s time to look at any anxiety you have around the new routine. Here’s a list of some examples, but you may have some that are different.

I’ll be late for work.
We won’t get enough sleep.
I’ll have to get up earlier and I’m not a morning person.
I won’t have enough time to myself.
I’ll be yelling at my kids.
I’ll feel rushed.
My kids can’t do enough for themselves yet and I’ll have to do everything.
I’ll be busy looking for things. The keys, a pair of shoes, the child’s homework etc.

Get Organized

One way to beat some of this anxiety is to get organized. Find places to keep things and make sure they are kept there. A basket by the door, a place for the backpack, a hanger for keys, Organize drawers so that clothing or personal items can easily be found.

Have a morning routine you love.

Do you feel stressed and hurried in the morning? If so, you will want to create some nonnegotiable rituals. Some examples may be Meditation, exercise, journaling, a cup of tea or coffee, watching the news, watching cat videos etc. Whatever gives you a boost, relieves some stress and can be done in a short amount of time, do it! Even if you have to get up a few minutes earlier. You may have to delegate some tasks or do them the night before. Doing something for yourself in the morning is so worth it. It starts your day on a more positive note and it may only take a few minutes depending on your rituals. If possible, do this before the kids are out of bed. This way you have some quiet time to yourself.

To summarize, get clear on why your routine needs to happen if it isn’t obvious. Then create a plan. Who does what tasks and when? Figure out what makes you anxious about the change and then get organized. Decide what you can let go of and what are your non negotiables. Through this process you will create a new routine that you love. If it’s not something you love, it will be a routine you can tolerate. Did I miss anything? What helps you get adjusted to a new routine? Tell me in the comments!

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Career

Three Ways Modern Women Can Get Ahead in the Workplace

August 23, 2021

This week, I’m sharing a post written by Brad Krause. Are you a mom trying to juggle work, family and other responsibilities? If your career is an important part of your identity, it can be a struggle to maintain balance while furthering your career. You are not alone. There are so many of us in this boat! However, there are strategies that can help you become and stay successful in your profession regardless of your career path. This post maps out 3 ways women can get ahead in the workplace.

3 ways women can get ahead in the workplace

The fight for equality for women in the workplace seems to be making progress. As of 2019, 47 percent of workers in the U.S. were women. But in spite of that significant number, there’s still much to do when it comes to establishing women’s worth in the professional sphere.

NMC Coaching offers three specific ways women can achieve their dream careers without giving up their rights.

Adjust Your Attitude at Work

While no one can argue that it’s women’s attitudes that hold them back in the professional sphere, perception can play a significant part in your ability to boost your career. Changing the way you act, speak, and even email can affect your work.● Muscling your way into the break room won’t earn you any favors. But learning and applying powerful body languagecan increase your confidence (and impress your coworkers). It can also help you communicate more effectively in high-stakes situations.● Consider changing up your speech patterns. One speech coach suggests cutting “filler” words such as “like,” “I mean,” “just,” and others from your vocabulary for more powerful communication. Changing your speech may not be necessary, but it could impact the length and impact of your verbal interactions.● Understanding different communication styles is also crucial for success in the workplace. There are gender communication differences, so learning more about them can offer insight and help you strategize.

Make the Workplace Change for You

While many women are content to rise above professional barriers, others will feel compelled to break them down. And the truth is, making the workplace change for you is one way to ensure a well-trodden path for yourself and future generations.

● Encourage your workplace to host training workshops on diversity, sexual harassment, and other relevant topics that impact your work experience.

● Enlisting other women for support and advocating for work-life balance are two ways you can navigate a male-dominated field. It may not be easy, but it’s meaningful work that could pay off in the form of a promotion.

● It’s not easy to report harassment or deal with the aftermath. But if it’s happening to you or a coworker, you have rights. When it comes to discrimination at work, know the law and your rights so you can be prepared.

Business woman juggling work life balance

Do Something Different

Taking a different path than ‘most women’ in your profession (or generation) can be refreshing. Consider doing something unexpected with your career, and you may have a more unique experience than you’d think.

● Research suggests that women remain underrepresented in senior management roles. While you may not be in complete control of your professional trajectory, setting your sights higher is one way to start chipping away at the glass ceiling.

● If you really want to break the mold, choosing a male-dominated career path could be the perfect fit. For example,women in STEM roles are a minority. Despite the barriers, embarking on such a trajectory could mean more opportunities.

● Consider the benefits of adding a credential to your name. Even if your field doesn’t require it, obtaining state licensure or a formal degree can elevate your professional standing.● For women who are balancing (or want to balance) growing a family with their career aspirations, recognize the challenges and potential payoffs. You can enjoy both family life and professional endeavors if you don’t let guilt or a non-supportive partner get in your way.

3 ways women can design their career path

Pursuing a rewarding career shouldn’t be controversial for women. And yet, getting ahead isn’t always seen as a priority. But these avenues toward achieving your goals can help you recognize the potential that exists for your professional future.

After spending most of his time in a corporate setting and neglecting his own self-care far too long, Brad embraced his calling and decided to become a full-time life coach. He now spends the rest of his life helping people get a better foothold on their wellness above all else. To learn more about Brad and his work, visit Self Caring.

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Productivity

Time Saving Tips for the Busy Mompreneur

July 12, 2021

Today, I have a guest post by Tina Martin. It is so important to create a work life balance. Especially if you are a business owner. Tina has shared some useful tools that will help you save time and energy. Doing Business Is Great but Downtime Is Crucial — Here’s How to Accommodate Both

When you own a business, it may feel as though you cannot get a break. Between monitoring employees, fulfilling orders, and meeting customer expectations, running a business can leave entrepreneurs feeling depleted and burned out. Taking a break can prevent burnout and refresh your energy. Entrepreneurs who take breaks and maintain a routine that includes time off make better decisions and are more likely to have better work-life balance.

How to increase productivity while having more free time

NMC Coaching helps business-owning parents manage the multiple responsibilities of both jobs, learning ways to be present at work and at home. One important aspect of establishing a good balance between work and home life is delegating tasks to reduce the burden. Using apps will also reduce the strain on business owners and free up time for relaxation.

Delegating and Scheduling

Business owners who delegate responsibilities to employees often find that it improves morale among workers. Reducing your workload will also result in growth for employees. You can delegate tasks like doing inventory and reordering supplies, for instance. Inventory management apps will also speed up the process, making the most out of a business owner’s time and resources.

Scheduling apps can also create more time for business owners. Between meetings, scheduling employees, and other time-related tasks, it can be time-consuming just to manage your calendar. Scheduling apps will also ease the burden and logistics of staffing.

Inventory and Payroll

Inventory and payroll are two tasks that can be a time-drain for business owners. By using apps for either or both, entrepreneurs will save countless hours. Optimizing your wholesale distribution with a solution like QuickBooks Enterprise can be a game-changer. With automation, your business can order supplies from vendors more effectively and reduce costly errors. Having a centralized database for vendors will also give you more visibility on current purchase orders and identify where you can cut costs. Other features like efficient order management, multiple integrations, and barcode scanning will also guarantee healthy profit margins.

Investing in a payroll platform also saves time and aggravation. Ideally, look for solutions that offer seamless integration with existing software and simplify tax preparation and new employee onboarding.

Productivity

By freeing up time in your schedule, you value yourself. Business owners who wish to invest in their own wellness by taking time off will find that productivity apps will help you make more efficient use of your time. Trello, for instance, has a vast range of functions, from assigning tasks to calendar coordination. Not only does this free up a lot of your time, but it ensures that your projects and workflows continue to move forward efficiently.

Creating time for rest and relaxation should be a priority for business owners and entrepreneurs. Rested, refreshed business owners and employees make better business choices, which impacts the company positively in the long term.

For more guidance on finding a better balance between business and your home, learn more about what NMC Coaching can do!

“Tina Martin started her career in business administration but eventually decided to pursue something that actually inspired her: becoming a personal fitness instructor. Today she stays busy as a life coach and works hard to help herself and her clients achieve a healthy work-life balance. She started ideaspired.com as a side project to reach as many people as possible, and encourage them to put their dreams first.”

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Productivity

No More ‘Sunday Scaries’: 11 Resources for a Productive Weekend

June 8, 2021

This week, I have a special treat for you. A guest post by Elena Stewart. Do you wake up on Sundays already dreading the week ahead? Do you lose sleep on Sunday nights because your to do list is already a mile long? Read on to learn how to overcome those Sunday scaries and have a productive but relaxing weekend.

It’s a Sunday afternoon, and your stress levels are rising as you think about everything you need to do to finish up to get ready for the next week. The “Sunday scaries” are settling in, and this weekly phenomenon drains the joy from your final day off. However, if you’re a parent, working with NMC Coaching can help you figure out how to reclaim your time. Plus, these resources are packed with suggestions on getting rid of the Sunday scaries!

Taking Care of Your Body

It’s hard to continue eating healthy and working out on the weekends. Here’s how to keep up with these habits through Sunday.

● Using a smartwatch with a fitness tracking app will keep you on top of your routine.

● To make sure your smartwatch fits properly, you’ll need a snug watch band!●

By meal prepping on Sunday, you’ll already have your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners portioned for the week.

● Don’t forget to take your vitamins and supplements on Sunday night!

12 Resources to help you overcome the Sunday Scaries

Prioritize Your Mental Health

Maybe you’re used to feeling stressed every Sunday — but it doesn’t have to be this way. These resources will help you approach Sunday with a more positive attitude.

● Step away from the world for a while by having a home spa day.
● This bedtime yoga routine will give you sweet dreams!
● If you tend to have racing thoughts every Sunday night, meditation could be the solution.
● Taking care of little ones? A coach who works with parents can help you with stress management. Contact NMC Coaching for more information.

Clean Up Your Space

Starting the week with a clean home allows you to stay focused on things you need to get done.

● Block off an hour or so to take care of any clutter in your closet. ● Don’t start the week with a dirty kitchen! Wipe it downafter cooking on Sunday.
● Spruce up your bathroom in no time with these handy speed cleaning tips.

If you feel your mood dip every Sunday, it’s time to turn things around. You can turn Sundays into a day that you look forward to instead! By following the tips from the resources outlined above, you can overcome the Sunday scaries.

Is parenting making it tough for you to manage your time on the weekends? NMC Coaching can help you get your schedule under control! Contact us through our website to get started.

About Elena

Elena made the jump from a corporate job she wasn’t entirely happy with, to running her own business that gives her the financial freedom and flexible lifestyle she’s always wanted. As a life coach, she now gets the happiness of helping others get to the places that might seem out of reach. To learn more about Elena and her services, head on over to Elenastewart.com!

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Motherhood, Personal Development, Self Care

How To Accept Your Uniqueness

December 10, 2020

I had a plan for this week. I was going to talk a little about self-care and do a list of stocking stuffers to pamper the moms in your life. While gift guides are great and we all need to take care of ourselves, I wasn’t feeling compelled to put it together. Right now, there is something more important in my heart. It is still a form of self-care, but it’s not the tangible measurable kind. It’s the kind that you feel in your heart and soul. It’s the kind that helps you feel at peace and at ease with yourself.

Accepting Uniqueness

Today I want to share an amazing strategy for working on self acceptance. Some people say these things are flaws, imperfections or quirks. I prefer to see it as your uniqueness. It’s the stuff that makes you who you are. The stuff that makes you like no one else. The stuff that makes you interesting!

Embrace Yourself

Last weekend, Rosebud really wanted to paint, so I decided to let her paint while I worked on Instagram posts. By the time she was done, there was paint everywhere. It was all over her, her tray and dripping off the paper. It was the kind of painting I couldn’t keep. I lifted it to put it on the counter to dry and the paint poured off. It upset Rosebud, but it went straight to the trash. Honestly, I was bothered by the mess. It took me forever to clean it up and while I know messy play is important for kids, I hate dealing with it. I clean up after kids all day at work. I don’t want to do it here too. It’s not fair to Rosebud, but it’s a fact. I do set up messy play opportunities for her, but they are few and far between.

The No Paint Mama

My anxiety about clean up goes through the roof and I hate feeling that every time. At first, I started thinking about what a failure I am as a mom. How my child needs this and maybe I’m depriving her of something, but am I really or am I too focused on the shoulds and coulds. In that moment, I decided to embrace the fact that I’m not a messy play mom. I told one person on Instagram that I’d be the no paint mama.

When I thought about it, Rosebud enjoys many forms of sensory play like water, the rice bin, kinetic sand, play-dough,, water beads, shredded paper etc. She does drawing, water colors, gluing, cutting and decorating with stickers, so she gets plenty of exposure to arts and crafts. Even after all that, why was I hung up on the paint? She doesn’t need to do messy finger painting every day to be a well rounded child. Those voices popped up in my head. Those annoying shoulds.

What They Tell Us

Then today during a coaching call, I had this amazing break through. This is why I love coaching so much. We were talking about marketing strategies for my business and how to make the best use of my time. I told her how I felt I was making the most of my time by using Instagram, but there are the shoulds. The experts saying that you need to be on all forms of social media and be doing all things. You need to post videos, write blog entries, send out a newsletter, create podcasts, schedule multiple posts on every platform etc.

In real life, this is too much for one person. This involves hiring tasks out. While this is possible for a successful business owner, you can’t always do this when you are first starting out. I need to simplify, so for now I am focusing on one social media platform. While so many people recommend Facebook for this purpose, I had to choose the one I’m having the most fun and best interaction with. Even if it goes against the advice of the so called experts who don’t know me or my audience. I need to follow my own path.

Living in the Present

My next battle with the shoulds was about creating a marketing plan. The experts say to create a 60 or 90 day marketing plan. While this works great for sales, tracking income etc, it wasn’t working for me with social media marketing. I have a 90 day plan laid out in a spread sheet and you know what? I used none of it. You might be wondering why. It’s because I need to create content around what I’m feeling in that moment. What am I struggling with? What can my audience relate to? How can I be the most authentic?

If I’m focusing on something from three months ago, I may not be feeling that way today. Everything surrounding children and motherhood change so fast, that I have to scrap my plan. This is a metaphor for motherhood, right? Nothing goes as planned. As soon as you have something figured out, it changes.

The Strategy

Speaking of metaphors, that is the strategy. My coach asked me what I took away from our sessions, but she asked me if there was one image that I could hold in my mind that embodied everything I’ve learned. It didn’t make sense at first, but the first image that came to mind was a fluffy white cloud floating along in the sky. The more I thought about it, a girl floated on top of the cloud. As I explained the cloud metaphor to my coach, it started to take shape.

I am embracing my uniqueness and every cloud has its own shape. Clouds are floating. The wind is carrying them, but they have an energy of their own. They are not listening to the other clouds, they are on their own path, reaching their own destination. Their shapes may change over time. They may rise or fall. They may come together to touch other clouds or break away on their own, but in the end, they have their uniqueness. Isn’t that why we look at them? Isn’t that where we find the beauty?

Chipping Away

This strategy isn’t an easy fix. Accepting yourself is life long work. It changes from day to day. I see it like creating a sculpture. Each day, you chip away and get one step closer to where you want to be. The beautiful sculpture starts to take its shape and then is revealed over time.

What is Your Metaphor?

What do you need to embrace? What is your image or metaphor that can help you accept your beauty? Your uniqueness. The things that make you interesting, authentic and wonderful. If you need help with this process, let’s jump on a

discovery call. I’d love to help you celebrate your uniqueness.

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Personal Development

How To Create Positivity from Missed opportunities

September 16, 2020

I had an experience last week that got me thinking about missed opportunities and the things that we participate in that we think are beneficial, but it turns out they aren’t. The question is what do we do with those missed opportunities? What do we do when a door closes? We pick up and start over. Here’s how to turn a missed opportunity into something positive. As the saying goes, turn lemons into lemonade.

When One Door Closes

This story is such a first world problem. It’s so inconsequential when we look at the big picture, but sometimes the smallest things can teach us the greatest lessons. I was apart of a Facebook group for bloggers where we can promote our blog using the daily threads. I have been a regular participant in this group for a while and always did my best to give more than I take. I’d always engage with the other bloggers on the threads. Whether it be liking social media posts on their accounts, commenting, or sharing their blog posts.If you know me, you know that I always try to go above and beyond to do things the right way. Especially when it involves helping other people. It was a shock to me that I was suddenly muted and could no longer respond to the other comments or post. There were days when I couldn’t respond until late in the day because I’m a busy mom. I make my original comments in the morning and then go back throughout the day to help the other bloggers. That is what’s always worked for me.

At first, I got mad because by doing that, they were basically accusing me of dropping my link and running. Then I was disappointed because I couldn’t participate for another month, but I quickly realized that maybe that group wasn’t the place for me anyway. When I thought about it, most of the bloggers in that group aren’t apart of my niche. While their content is great and they were super helpful, there wasn’t much of a connection. They aren’t the people that will become my clients. I could’ve waited a month and then tried to figure out what I had done wrong. Then I could spend time making sure I followed every rule, but for what?

I had to ask myself, how is this benefiting me? Is it helping my blog or coaching practice grow? How does it make me feel to be apart of this group now? It wasn’t giving my blog that much of a boost and I no longer felt welcome in the group. In the past, rejection hit me hard and while I felt a touch of that, I turned it around to something positive.

How To Move On

I started looking for groups that were geared towards busy moms, coaches and female bloggers. I found several that I have joined and so far, they’ve been wonderful groups. The best part is that they’ve given my blog a boost and the women are awesome. There is a supportive environment where we help each other. If you are interested in joining any of these groups, find their links at the end of this post.

Journal Prompts

How about you?
Are there any doors that have closed for you lately? How are you feeling about these experiences now? Here are some prompts to dive into if you use journaling to get your thoughts out. If you aren’t much of a writer, don’t worry about it. Just answer these questions in your head. The answers are all within you.

Describe your last missed opportunity.
Is this a positive or negative thing for you?
Did a better opportunity open up as a result?
If not, how can you turn it into a new opportunity?

List your first three steps for creating your next opportunity.

Finding Clarity

This process also works if you are trying to decide if a. New opportunity is right for you or if you need to get out of a situation. This could be a relationship, friendship or anything work related. Of course, we have to do things we don’t want to do at times. It’s a fact of life, but we can change our mindset. When deciding if something is right for you, answer these questions to get clarity.

How does it make you feel in your body?

If you let this thing go, what will happen?(pros and cons)

What are you giving up by moving on?
What are you giving up if you stick with it?
What are you gaining from moving on?
What are you gaining by staying where you are?

When thinking about doors opening and closing in life, I try to remember this quote. “What is meant for you won’t pass you by.” This applies in business, relationships, purchases, friendships etc. What doors have opened or closed for you lately? Tell me in the comments. If you’d like to talk about creating amazing opportunities in your own life, feel free to book a discovery call to see how we can work together. I’d love to hear from you!

As promised, here are the Facebook groups I mentioned above.

Mom Blog Network Personal Development and Wellness Bloggers

Successful Mom Entrepreneurs Women’s Side Hustle Network

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