Change of Seasons

Monday, October 1, 2007, by Leigh Anne

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Well, here in the Northwest, fall has arrived. The trees are changing color, the furnace turns on in the morning, I can see my breath when I go out for my walk and the rains have arrived! I love fall and all that comes with it - even the rain. This past week I was having a conversation with a woman who had grown up back East and had just moved to Portland via a couple of years in California. We were discussing how much we loved seeing the change of seasons and how much she had missed it while she lived in California. She made the statement that it was “boring” when each season was the same.

That got to me to thinking about my homebased business and the different “seasons” I have been through the last 17 years. First of all I am thankful that I have a business that is flexible enough to allow for different “seasons” and that although some of the seasons may have been easier than others they definitely weren’t “boring”.

There was the first season of my business - I was the mother of 3 small children, ages 2, 5 and 7. I ran another homebased business (children’s sewing school) and I had a husband that worked 2-3 evenings a week.

Then there was the season of being pregnant, adding a fourth baby to our family.

Next was the season where we were building a new home, living in a small apartment where my husband and I slept on the hide-a-bed in the living room with the new baby in a portable crib by our side for six months. Holding customer events, open house etc. in this little apartment was an exciting “season”.

Then the season of moving into our new home, across town, which in Portland is like moving to a whole new city, meeting new people, making new customers etc. A challenge but not “boring”!

Next came the season of teenagers - need I say more! I always use to tell myself - when the kids get older, running a homebased business will be so much easier - guess what? I was wrong. It is not easier, only different. Although I may be home alone during the day - those after school hours, evenings and weekends are crazy! Trying to schedule in customer events, team meetings etc. can be a real challenge.

I know there are other seasons to come. I look at many of my team members with such admiration and respect as I see them going through various “seasons” in their lives. Several who are dealing with major health issues, multiple surgeries yet still work their business - in fact they have had record months while experiencing these seasons. There is also the team member whose husband has undergone cancer surgery - she didn’t allow this “season” to slow her down. She loaded him up in the motor home and took off driving to the next rally she had a booth at and had record sales!

What is it that has allowed me and these other women to weather the “seasons” and even excel during these times and what can help you to enjoy the “seasons” of your business?

1. A passion and love for what they do. A real belief in the mission of your company.

2. Consistent effort -treating your business as a business. Your business is not something you do “when you have time” or “if it is convenient” It is something you do on a regular, consistent basis. The amount of time may vary for individuals but the one thing that is the same is that they work it on a regular basis - whether it is 20 hours a week or 5 hours a week. They are consistent in their efforts.

3. Momentum- as a result of consistent effort they have created momentum in their business. This momentum keeps them going through the rougher “seasons”. The hard work and effort they put in during the easier “seasons” continues and pushes them through the hard times.

So whatever “season” it is you find yourself in with your business -love what you do, be consistent at whatever level you can and you will create momentum. Most importantly - enjoy it, make the most of it and remember - at least it’s not boring!

Popularity: 9% [?]

Share and Enjoy: