In recent time I’ve discovered a rather alarming trend with many stay-at-home Mums. And it’s the trend of using their kids as an excuse instead of a reason. What do I mean? Well this may be you or someone in your team. They never make the webinars. They never attend any of the company trainings. Every single time you call them you hear their kids screaming in the background or constantly interrupting wanting something every second. Sound familiar? Well there is no right or wrong here. There’s no shaming or blaming. But where do you want your business to be if this sounds like you? Are you wanting a few extra hundred dollars a month – and to be honest 97% of all Network Marketers make between $500 and $900 monthly. Or are you massively ambitious and want to be in that 3%?? If so, read on because the number one thing you are going to need to do is stop using your kids as an excuse.
I know this may come across as offensive and confronting and maybe even controversial. But all I’m hoping to achieve here is a reality check for you. Because as Mums we do strive for so much, don’t we? We want to be the best parent, the best wife, the best friend, the best business woman. But in truth, it is a challenge isn’t it? Sometimes we want it all and think we are Wonder Woman and other times we give up thinking it’s not possible. The most important thing to understand, however, is whatever we think about we create. If we believe we are Wonder Woman, then we will be. If we think we can’t, then that will be true too. So be careful of what your predominant mindset is around this.
The first thing to understand is what exactly is it you want from your business. Do you want to earn thousands a month or will you be happy with $500? If you are wanting $500 then you won’t be needing to work a lot of hours in order to achieve that. But if you are wanting thousands, then I’m sorry to say but saying no to the trainings, webinars, events etc etc etc because you have kids just won’t cut it. Sorry.
If your target market is other Mums with kids, then this won’t be an issue, but believe me if you are talking business with someone either over the phone or at a coffee shop, hotel – whatever – they last thing most people want is a toddler there screaming away or tagging on Mum’s leg every three seconds. It’s just not professional and you are not playing the game at your best either because your focus is not on your prospect and they will know it. They will feel as though their time is not valued so why would they want to invest their money and time with you. Sad, but it’s true. Not everyone has kids nor has the same attitude towards kids that you do. Sorry.
Your prospects want to work around their schedule – not your schedule with your kids. Most people don’t care about when you put your kids to bed or when they have Playgroup or when meal times are and won’t change what they are doing to suit you. Same applies to your company. They are not going to change where their events are held, when their webinars, training events etc are on to suit your kids sleeping schedule. Sorry.
Now unless your social media audience is made up of mostly your own family and friends, then don’t post pictures of your kids on the hour every hour. Seriously, people just don’t care. Remember, you are your brand. Now as I said earlier, unless your target audience are stay-at-home Mums, no-one cares if your kids are happy, on a slippery dip, playing in the mud etc etc. Particularly Facebook, there are SO MANY pictures of people’s kids, people are seriously getting sick of it. If you are NOT targeting stay-at-home Mums, post stuff that supports people and makes them believe that you have a solution to their pain point. Your kids don’t provide a solution to their problems. Perhaps set up an account purely for them so you can share those precious moments with those close to you. Sorry.
Don’t put your business on hold every long weekend and school holidays. This is absolute business suicide. And again, people who don’t have kids don’t even know when school holidays are on so they don’t care. If they are looking for a particular solution to a pain point, they will not wait two weeks until you are available again when your kids go back to school. It’s crazy! Would you call your telco when you mobile doesn’t work and tolerate being told that they are closed for the next two weeks?? You wouldn’t would you, so don’t treat your customers the same. You are in business – not a hobby.
So I hope you can take this in the love and care that it was meant. I too have two beautiful boys myself – one 11 and one 2. I have a tremendous support network of Au Pair, Dads (2 of them), Grandparents, neighbours, Child Care, after school care, tennis coach etc etc. We make it work. My boys don’t suffer because I’m not available 24/7. In fact, they appreciate the time with us more I think and we make those moments count. Don’t allow your kids to be your excuse to check out of your business activities, make them your reason to succeed. Just think of the lessons you are teaching them and what a beautiful gift that is.