We are blessed – with our health, with our home and especially with our finances. Few people can walk away from the only steady income a family has and turn out to be more financially blessed because of it. Just a few years back, it would no have been possible. We struggled hard to get to the place where we are and we will continue to crawl can climb until we reach the pinnacle of abundance.
Our struggle was recently recounted in an article at In Touch magazine (Dr. Charles Stanley). “Breaking the Debt Curse” – found on page 22 of the April issue of In Touch - is one of my first big publications and also the first step to being completely honest with people in my writing. I was reading it with my hubby yesterday online, and it is overwhelming how far we have traveled in the last several years.
Today we are both staying at home. I’m writing full time. He is starting an Arts Academy. Together we are working the land and making a go of the “small farm” life. We have truly been blessed – but we have worked hard to get to a place where we can receive the blessings.
If you have a dream or a goal and you fill like you are just spinning your wheels, look back in your journal (I know you keep one 
) and see where you were just a few years back. Keep remembering that although you may not be where you want to be right now, you are much farther along than you were yesterday (or last year).
Abundance is having a plentiful supply. Now that we have broken the debt curse for our family and for our future, we will make it to abundance in every aspect of our lives.
Continue Reading April 3rd, 2008
Working at home is something I have been doing on and off since my first child was born (now over 11 years ago). I started out doing office work from home for my mom’s medical billing practice. There have been a few pauses and breaks (and stumbles) along the way, but some
things always seem to remain true.
Peculiar Thought #1: Some people will call to chat even though they will ask if you are working and you will respond yes. It’s almost as if they are asking to hear the words come out of their own mouth and not because they want a response.
Peculiar Thought #2: It doesn’t matter what your schedule looks like or how well you plan ahead – if you have kids in the house and you are working at home then the odds are good that you will work in the early morning hours (before the kids get up) or the late night hours (after they are in bed).
Peculiar Thought #3: The entire family and most of the rest of the world (including aunts, cousins and others that you may not know exist) expect you to do the little things that people who work just can be bothered with doing – like taking Aunt Pearl to the eye doctor or getting the Family Dinner planned and organized or putting together the church newsletter - because you don’t have a real job. These distractions can make work impossible.
Peculiar Thought #4: Even if you are making a nice living while you work at home there are those days when you will think that life would be easier if you just did the “normal” thing and got a real job.
Peculiar Thought #5: No matter how good you have planned out the work, there is always something that comes up or something that happens to try to throw everything off balance. Always be prepared for the unexpected, be organized and orderly, and work in advance. Procrastination and disorganization will eat you alive if you decide to work at home and let them rule the roost.
Peculiar Thought #6: The more money you make when you work at home the more money you need to make when you work at home. The government is taking a HUGE chunk of America’s income and when you write that check yourself you become very aware of it. And the more income you make, the more the government thinks it should get.
Peculiar Thought #7: Almost every venue pays less for online work than for print or in person. I haven’t decided if that is because the quality is so low around the industry or if the industry is just that cheep.
Peculiar Thought #8: The comment “so you don’t have a real job” will come up at least once when you are out in a new social situation no matter how successful you might be when you work from home. Society has a certain game plan and you must step in line or else you must be wrong.
The world of work at home is fun, interesting and it seems it is always changing (at least in this house). The best thing is that I’m here – enjoying each and every minute of my children and the craziness that is our lives. It may be a peculiar road to walk, but we are skipping along the way, so does it really matter all that much if people stare?
Continue Reading April 3rd, 2008
Six months ago, we began an experiment we didn’t see coming. When a turn of events took away our main income – and only regular paycheck, it would have been easy to panic. There were several nights when I think that’s exactly what I did. But worry won’t get you very far and every problem is a good thing if you look at it as a challenge to take your life to the next level.
Our family came together to do just that! We are all looking for ways to earn money that we have been overlooking for all these years.
1. This is the year that we really sale lots of the plants we have growing in the gardens. In all, we probably have around two or three thousand iris and daylilies that we can sale as root plants. There are also lots of plants that can be put in pots to take to the farmer’s market or festivals in the area. It may not make us rich over night, but the money from the plants will definitely put some change in the kitty.
2. The hubby is following his passion to work with youth in drama in a Christian environment. Starting next month he will be teaching private and group lessons – in our own facility or in theirs! This will not only bring in money but it will bring happiness to the people he works with and to him as well.
3. My writing has taken a new turn (or reversed back to one I knew before freelance) and I am doing grant consulting once again. The more time and effort I can devote to the projects the more income I can pull in.
4. The whole family is purging deep this spring to make way for what God has in store. We will take the best items to a local flea market or else have a sale at our new facility (and donate partial, if not all, proceeds to the new arts academy.)
5. Everyone is working together to make sure the house stays clean, the baby stays happy and everything that needs to run does run – and smoothly. This leaves time for the hubby to help the neighbor with some tasks for a few bucks or to mow a friend’s yard that has to be out of town.
There is an amazing amount of money to be made when you step outside society and look around. Six months ago I would not have imagined that I would be in the place financial with my writing that I am right now. Even better is the thought that six months from now things will be even better.
Keep pushing through and you will find the silver lining. Keep on climbing and you will reach the top. Keep on looking for the financial opportunities and you will find ways of making money without having to work the traditional job.
Continue Reading April 2nd, 2008
To be successful in any industry you have to establish yourself (or your company) at the top of that industry. Consumers need to look to you for advice or information about that particular market.
The internet is no different. Some of the people who are raking in the big dough are those that have established themselves as experts in their niche – either through time, education or endorsements. But becoming an expert is only one way to dominate your internet niche market.
1. Choose a subject that is near and dear to your heart. Passion will go a long way to establish your dominance (just keep your writing tight and informative).
2. Build your links. Write for the free articles sites (ezinearticle is one of the top), comment on other blogs and forums – related or in your market area, offer to guest post on other sites. There should always be a place for a signature or author’s box where you can offer a link to your site.
3. Offer freebies or contests to increase you visitors. Everyone likes feeling that they are getting something for free and most people are willing to pass the word on to other friends and family.
4. Participate in a blog carnival. There are several that I submit to on a regular basis (the Carnival of Christian Women and the Carnival of Christian Writers are two of them – thanks ladies). You can meet some neat people, get a boost in visitors and find some great blogs.
5. Keep writing. Content is still king – no matter what some experts say. If you are producing quality content then you will get visitors that not only share your site but that stick around.
It may take a little time and some hard work, but establishing yourself as a dominate force in the internet niche of your choice will be the beginning of a whole new life.
Continue Reading March 27th, 2008
It is possible to live a positive life even with negative people all around you. It is POSSIBLE, but it ain’t easy!!!!
I live with several negative people around me every day. I see the half full glass and they see the need to buy milk at incredibly expensive prices and paying out the ear for gas to get there (the scary thing is that I’m NOT exaggerating).
It would be easy to fall down to their level. Finding the good and positive in situations (and especially in people) is not always the fun way to live. Choosing to nag, complain and basically pass out blame like Pez is a much easier path to take. At least it seems to be easier.
The truth is that positive people live healthier, happier and longer lives. That’s what I want for my children. So I choose to see the silver lining no matter what the grumblers and complainers may see. I choose to see the rainbow and admire the colors and not complain about the rain. I choose to see that our needs are met and not complain that we don’t have a million dollars in savings.
It has taken me years to work out a system, but I have developed ways to protect my positive attitude from the negative forces that often surround me.
1. Avoid negative news, movies and television shows. The attitudes you put into your eyes and your ears will fester in your heart and eventually come out of your mouth. Guard your mind!
2. Give up trying to make the people around you be positive. Live your life the way you know it should be lived (putting God first, putting others second, and then looking out for yourself as well). They will eventually come around or run away.
3. Find at least one positive outlet for your life (like this blog 
). You need to be recharged and lifted up or the negative forces will suck the life right out of you.
4. Make a decision to stay positive for the next hour – and keep doing it for every hour of the day. A little at a time does not seem like such a big hurdle.
5. Being positive does not mean being perky. It is okay to be upset about a situation or to even be sad (because of a loss or a pain). It is what you do with those emotions that make the biggest difference between a positive person and a negative person. Do you take out your emotions on the people around you or to you begin to look for things in your life that you are truly grateful to have?
It is all about choice. The life that I live and that I teach my kids can be the one that is healthy, happy and full of life or it can be one of clouds, complaints and darkness. It seems like a simple enough choice, but every day I watch as people around me choose the dark over the light.
Continue Reading March 26th, 2008
Being a successful freelance writer is a bit like being a good salesman. There are tips and techniques you can take from the sales world and apply to your life as a writer. For most of us the goal is to make a living doing what we love and enjoy and all the help we can get is beneficial for that end.
1. Get your leads. Although many people can “break in” with the big print publications, most writers will not. It is far better to weigh your weigh your possibilities and chose those publications that print a high percentage of unknown and unagented writers. Most of this information can be found in the latest edition of the Writer’s Market.
2. Be passionate about the product. Believe in your ability to write well on the subject and to give a fresh voice to the publication. If you believe in you then it will be projected to the editor through your words.
3. Always be honest. If you are more concerned about closing the deal than you are about being sincere, it will show. In the end it will hurt your credibility in the industry and your ability to compete in the market place.
4. Keep on keeping on. A no is just a way of saying try another tactic. Look at rejections as challenges to improve and tweak your skills. Keep submitting and writing and learning if you are serious about a freelance career.
5. Network with everyone and everywhere. You can never know where that perfect connection might be hiding. Take time to attend local meetings, writing conferences and even books signings or readings by other authors. The more you know the farther you will go.
Just these few tips will help you develop your freelance career. Keep in mind that there is only one way to develop a career in writing and that is to write. Everything else is just marketing tools and techniques designed to help your career along.
Continue Reading March 22nd, 2008
No matter what the circumstances may look like – no matter how cloudy the skies, how messed up the schedule or how many problems try to make it seem different – today WILL be a good day. It’s not about my situation (although everything I have faced this morning would be a reasonable excuse for most people). It’s not about what other people (or machines) are or are not doing. My day is a reflection of my attitude and I am going to find the silver lining.
The Negative: I’ve been up since 3 am and still haven’t gotten word one done on any of my work. Both (get that?) of the computers have decided to call it a day. So I’ve been spending the morning trying to get a computer to work.
The Positive: Today I had the chance to learn a lot about trouble shooting my computers and the difference between hardware components and software components.
The Negative: I have 100 items due next week and one less day to work on them.
The Positive: I have 100 items due next week and I’m getting paid for everyone of them.
The Negative: The cable intallation team says I’m still not serviceable even though we paid (out the nose) specifically to BE serviceable. Since there is no way to contact the local office directly I get to drive the 70 mile round trip yet again.
The Positive: I had a nice conversation with the office ladies and the engineer, they gave me a discount and worked out the situation and I got to visit with a couple of friends when I stopped in at the store on the way home.
The Negative: If it could go wrong this morning then it probably did. I got up early, got no work done and still need my computers fixed and my cable run.
The Positive: My children got to see me keep my cool no matter what was thrown at me. “How do you stay so calm right now?” I just smiled and told them that it was definitely a God thing.
There is another side, no matter how dark or grim things might look or feel. It takes practice, but you really can learn to make lemonade when life throws you lemons (and if you don’t like lemonade then just open a store and make a fortune from your misfortune).
Continue Reading March 18th, 2008
There was a report on the news recently that positive people live longer and are better at overcoming heart disease. Experts have their theories about why this is likely. It has a lot to do with the physical. Although I fully believe that positive people will be in better physical shape, I think it all comes back to the heart – and the spiritual aspects of life.
1. Positive people are less stressed. If you don’t worry about things and you let problems roll off you like water on a duck’s back then you are going to live your life much more relaxed than the people around you.
2. Positive people have more fun and laugh more. Laughing has been proven to extend your life and if you aren’t worried about every little thing you will find it easier to laugh at more that goes on around you.
3. Positive people want to live because they enjoy life. The more you desire something, the easier it is to get your mind and body to go along. If you are enjoying life then you have no reason to leave.
4. Positive people are surrounded by positive people. There is some truth to the saying that “birds of a feather flock together.” Negative people tend to shy away from the positive leaving the positive people all together to lift up and encourage one another.
5. Positive people attract others. Most individuals want to be supported and encouraged and being around positive people reminds them how good life is. Having friends and family give positive people strength, support and plenty of joy.
Being positive is not just good for the way that you live but it is not proven that a positive attitude will actually help you live longer. Starting looking for the silver lining and see how far that takes you.
Continue Reading March 14th, 2008
Every writing conference I have ever attended was weighted down by people who wanted to be able to make a living writing. I am one of those people. I choose workshops and events that are going to help me increase my productivity in the marketplace. It is possible to make a living while freelance writing. It just takes persistence and patience.
1. It takes time. For most freelance writers, it takes about a year to establish a regular client base. Either stay in your regular job until you get to that point or else have a one year reserve of cash in your savings to live off of until you get your base established.
2. It takes creativity. Most writers start out writing “when the inspiration hits.” Working freelance writers have to make the inspiration happen. Writing is the best way to make that happen. Write something – anything – to get the juices flowing and you will be amazed at how inspired you come.
3. It takes consistency. Working for you can make it easy to procrastinate. All that accomplishes is keeping you behind. That means writing every day for a given amount of time – like any job. Working daily on projects will give you ample time to do other things (and even take on last minute projects that will often pay much more).
4. It takes diligence. Freelance writers have to continually search for writing opportunities. Look through the many writers’ websites and blogging sites that are available. Apply for new projects at least once a week (if not once a day). Don’t forget about print work either – continue to query print publications on a weekly or daily basis as well. The more work you seek then the more work you will find.
5. It takes skills. Continue your writing education by taking courses or classes in a genre that you are not skilled (grant writing or poetry or any kind of writing you might find intriguing). Even if you never use the new genre to make a living, the new skills you acquire will help you where you are.
6. It takes balance. You HAVE to budget you money when you are a freelance writer. You never know when the next check will arrive in the mail and you have to be in a position to live until it does arrive. Before you even consider a life of freelance, learn to live off the smallest budget you can physically manage (because there are likely to be months where that will be your life).
Freelance writing is just like any other job (except you don’t get a salary or benefits or paid vacation time). You have to work at freelancing to be successful. You have to plan for your career in order to make a life out of it. But the most important thing you have to do to be successful in freelance writing is to WRITE.
Continue Reading March 13th, 2008
There are days when you wake up and feel like you are already behind. Today was one of those days for me. I feel like I’m running uphill in sinking sand – pumping hard, but hardly making a dent. Every time I complete task one, three more seem to pop up in its place.
It’s not as bad as I FEEL it is. The problem is that once I start thinking negatively, it can be hard to find anything positive. Instead of moping around in my feelings, I have to press on through to the finish. Climbing back up to something that resembles a positive attitude is not always easy (especially if you are in it alone), but it can be done.
1. Put yesterday behind me. No matter what did happen (or didn’t happen) I can not let yesterday effect today. Let it go.
2. Get a new perspective. Seriously look at what you are doing each day – get a friend to look at it – and see if you are truly utilizing your time wisely. You may find that not only are you accomplishing a great number of tasks, but you are on the verge of being wondermom.
3. Release the stress. If you don’t get something done – no matter what that thing is – the world will not come to an end. Picture the worst case scenario and honestly admit that you could find a way to survive with out serious injury. The stress will start to melt away.
It can be overwhelming at times trying to be a work at home mom. You want to do everything for everyone and still make the money to boot. Sometimes it feels like you aren’t getting anything done at all.
The truth is that you can’t do it all, but you can find ways to get it all done. Along the way, give yourself some credit (and a break or to) and it will turn out to be a bright, sunshiny day after all.
Continue Reading March 13th, 2008
Next Posts
Previous Posts
