MamiWorks
WOW – Life Lessons!!!
It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of 2017 and 2018 will begin on Monday. As I sit and write this post, I can’t help but think of how fast the time has gone. This past year has been filled with many ups and downs both personally and professionally. Through it all, I learned five important life lessons.
1. When it rains it pours… but I am one tough Mami.
To say 2017 started off tough is an understatement. In January, my little one had surgery then complications from it (fortunately everything ended up ok). At the end of March (right after I launched my blog), my little one woke up at 3am vomiting. My immediate reaction was to run, get her and take her to the bathroom. While running and carrying her, I fell. When I fell, I hit my head on the doorframe and ended up with a concussion (my little one did not get hurt in the fall). As a PA, it took me 10 days to realize I had a concussion and needed to see a doctor (but that’s another story). It took me six long weeks to recover from the concussion. The week I finally started to feel better, I broke my right pinky finger (which of course is my dominant hand). While it was all difficult and overwhelming, I made it through it. I continued to care for my family and was reminded about my strength.
2. Stepping out of your comfort zone can really be a good thing.
As the saying goes… “If you want something you’ve never had, then you’ve got to do something you’ve never done.” Going from being a PA to being a SAHM/WAHM and entrepreneur has not been easy and I am not afraid to admit it. I have really had to step out of my comfort zone which is something that does not come easy to me. I have been working on it really slowly… and I mean REALLY slow. But this year, I have stepped out of my comfort zone more than usual and saw results! Those results have been great motivation for me to continue to step out of my comfort zone. I know I am my own road block as I tend to over think everything… but seeing results is making it easier for me to step out of my comfort zone and I must continue to do so…. and so should you!
3. Sometimes all you need to do is change the way you think.
Yes… I think too much. I actually think all the time. But one thing I learned this year is that changing the way I think can really help me overcome an obstacle (which again… is usually me just over thinking everything). For example, becoming a Beautycounter consultant was out of my comfort zone because I have never worked in sales. I kept focusing on the sales aspect and my fear of not knowing about sales or having any experience in it. Once I changed my way of thinking and started focusing on the fact that I am educating consumers about the potential health impacts of harmful chemicals on the skin… and health is something I know and love as I am a PA… it became easier and my business started doing better.
4. It is ok to ask for help.
Whenever anyone needs help, I am quick to offer help but I never really accept help. I am not really sure why… but I just don’t ask for help. I tend to find a way and get things done by myself (as hubby is always working)… even with the girls in tow. This year there were multiple occasions where I had to ask for help… ok I had no choice but to let people help me… but it didn’t kill me. It didn’t change the way people thought about me (at least not that I know of). I actually was so relieved to have help. It is so important for one’s overall health to know that they do not have to do everything by themselves and I just learned that.
5. It’s important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals.
Being a SAHM/WAHM, stepping out of my comfort zone, changing the way I think, asking for help and really focusing on becoming a better mom and mompreneur led me to want to find others in a similar situation. The more I talked about daily life with friends and acquaintances I saw that I was not alone which felt reassuring. I have been fortunate to become super close with my neighbors who I can rely on to help out when needed, or to sit and chat with when the kids come home from school as they need to run around to release some energy. I have also become closer with friends who are starting their own businesses. So close that two friends and I started the “Collaborative Women’s Network” to help women in small business network and mastermind together. It has really been a game changer to learn from other women and develop such meaningful friendships. Most importantly, it has given me more motivation and confidence.
So Goodbye 2017…
With the blink of an eye, 2017 has come and gone. Besides the rough start to 2017, I will also remember 2017 as a year of personal growth and lessons learned. Lessons that I will pass down to my daughters. Lessons that I hope are valuable to you. Let 2018 be the year that you acknowledge your strength, step out of your comfort zone, change the way you think, ask for help and surround yourself with like-minded individuals.
Wishing you and your family a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Michelle
My name is Michelle and I am the wife of the hardest working man I know, the Mami of 3 beautiful and AMAZING girls and a Pathologists’ Assistant turned Stay at Home Mami turned Mompreneur of not one… or two… but three businesses! I am super excited to share my experiences and learn from you. As women/moms/entrepreneurs, we must stick together and support each other!
