Mumpreneurs' Monday: is it worth it?

I was drawn to this picture because climbing mountains can be a tough, sweaty making business. Before having children one of my favourite leisure activities was mountain walking and at times climbing with my hubbie. The most memorable time was the three weeks that we spent in Patagonia after the OH returned home safely from Iraq but that's a story for another post. Also through a twitter buddy, I discovered a new blog today called MountainsMovingMindset and all these factors led to this post.

Running your own business can be difficult, lonely, frustrating and exhausting. There can be periods where nothing seems to be moving forward where you feel like throwing in the towel. At these times, being a Mumpreneur ressembles the middle phases of a climb in that it requires all your reserves just to keep going. The key is having a clear vision of where you are going in other words a business plan and a strategy of how to get there.

Here the analogy with mountain walking also fits. People climb for many reasons: some want to bag munroes; and for many it is the view from the top that makes it all worth it. So next time you feel stuck, recall all your achievements until that point and remember Celeste Holm's quotation We live by encouragement and die without it - slowly, sadly, angrily. It is important to surround ourselves by those that believe in our vision and can give us the support we need at the low points.

I leave you with the picture below as inspiration. The view from the top, a source of inspiration when we face challenges. I would love to hear from you about what you do when the going gets tough.

Mums' Monday: ever feel like skipping Christmas?

As the old saying goes, it never rains but it pours. The last few days it has felt as if my world has been turned upside down. I became a single parent over night and at the same time my laptop packed up and the boiler has to be replaced!

What has helped? I have been incredibly fortunate to have the support of my husband's family and my own family. They have rallied round to do what they can. It has made me realise how resilient those who do not have access to a partner or extended family must be; and I have a greater sense of respect for them.

I have also coped by taking things slowly and being really clear about my priorities. This was critical because at one point I was getting wound up about the fact that I had not written the Christmas letter nor felt like doing it. As my Mum said I can always write a New Year letter, the world is not going to end without it. It's one day or even one step at a time.

Part of the go slow has meant listening to my body more. This has included caring for it by grabbing time to have a long soak in the tub - a novelty for me as Mum to two tots. It has also included going to bed early as I realise that all the emotional worry of the situation has made me more tired.

I also realised how important it is for everyone including coaches to have a coach. Part of the way that I heal is by having a good cry as a way of releasing all the pent-up emotions inside. I have found that family members are uncomfortable with all that whereas a good coach understands the process, shows compassion and just holds the space for you.

I do believe that everything that happens to us is an opportunity for learning. As one close family friend asked has this experience aged you to which I came back with a resounding yes. That aside I am grateful that I have such a supportive family and visiting my husband in hospital has reminded me what a great team we make and what I love about him. He has also received some much needed rest which has been difficult to take with a demanding job and two young children.