Is it too late in the year to still be posting about things I learned in 2015? I hope not. I have only recently had a chance to catch my breath and realise that it actually is honest-to-goodness new year. Not “woot woot baby new year – let’s do this thing” but “school has started, the business year has started, it’s gotten real and I actually do have to do this thing” new year.
8 things I learned about running my own business
Last year at this time I was in the terrifying and exhilarating position of setting up my own business. Not talking about it. Not dreaming about it. Not conceptualising it or taking courses on how to do it. Actually doing it.
It was a steep learning curve. I’ll warn you now – this is not going to be a post about how I made seven figures, worked 20 minutes a day and lost 15 kilos in the process. There are plenty of those stories on the internet if you want them – but this isn’t one. Truth is there were weeks I barely covered the cost of the daycare that allowed me to work. Cue the mother guilt right there. There were plenty of days when I realised that working for myself was never going to deliver the work/life balance I craved. Sure, it delivers flexibility and independence but working for yourself is a hungry beast that could eat 24/7 if you let it.
Value, self-belief and the pay gap
For a long time I was convinced the only real difference between men and women was anatomy and up-bringing. That we were conditionally brought up to expect and act within certain norms according to gender. For me, that idea fell away once I had sons. They act like boys. They act nothing like their little girl peers. Nature is, it seems, stronger than nurture. I got to wondering how those innate differences play in the way women and men value themselves. And how that impacts inequality between the sexes.
The key to backing yourself – a guest post by Carolyn Tate
In September I am exploring self belief. Not self-confidence or self-esteem. But that quietly assured, deep-seated belief some people have in themselves. The belief that they CAN and they WILL. I have noticed something about those people – they DO. They follow their dreams and they make them a reality. What is their secret?
Today on the blog I have the fabulous Carolyn Tate of Champagne Cartel and Freelance Writers Cartel sharing her take on backing yourself. I am inspired by Carolyn’s story – I hope you are too.
I don’t like to brag, but I’ve cracked the one thing you need to do in order to truly back yourself and achieve the career you’ve always wanted. I’m not especially clever, and I’m sure I’m not the first to come up with it. It’s not easy but it is super simple. The not easy part sucks, of course, but it also makes it great because it means not everyone is doing it. Read more
Study Tips for Parents (Sponsored)
Thanks to Careers Australia for sponsoring this post.
Words and opinions are my own.
Parenthood has a profound effect on every part of our lives. Including our careers. Sometimes we choose to close doors when we become mothers. Sometimes the doors are closed for us. But I also believe windows of opportunity open.
The average person will have a number of different careers within their lifetime. There are natural stages in life when we seek a different direction because priorities and perspectives change. And often that change in direction will necessitate new learning. Early parenthood is certainly one of those times. Many mothers choose to study whilst their children are small.
But how do you do it?
How do you manage a household, look after your kids, potentially hold down a job AND study? It is a very different looking set of challenges to what you may have faced fresh faced out of high-school, in your first year of univeristy. Read more
Is personal blogging dead?
Over the weekend I attended a blogging conference – the one I recommended people wear clothes to (which was a reasonable call by the way).
It was large and noisy and exciting. Filled with people, ideas and inspiration. There was a palpable energy that comes with collecting 700 passionate people in the same place.
You can sacrifice a little bit here and in the long run it will be worth it. You don’t even need to get expensive things for your blog though, you could just check out something like this Certa Hosting site and you’d be sorted. Starting a blog has never been easier, so don’t panic.