Self Employed Parent Podcast with Joel Bower

In episode 54, we cover some great project planning tips that even those of us who are totally impaired at project planning can use to make our lives so much easier.

Find the “sweet spot” where you can get the most done. If your project block is too big, it gets daunting and hard to get done. If you make it too small, it can be hard to prioritize what needs to be done first.

Get the difference between the two: the “clear” future is why you’re doing what you’re doing. The “exacting” future is really specific and difficult to achieve because it locks you into something that you may decide you don’t want.

This can make you feel overwhelmed by too many small things that need to get done, can confuse you on your priorities, and makes it hard to decide what will give you the most results.

If you know what’s most important about the project you’re working on, it’s easy to keep yourself not only motivated to get it done, but to remember what it will do for your business and your family to get you what you want.

No matter how small the project is, reward yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if it took too long or if it was more difficult than you expected. Make sure you and your family know how hard you worked.

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In Episode 53, I answer great questions from my interview with Dana and Mark Hatjakes from SOSU TV, as well as amazing questions about how to really get the best of both worlds, such as how to shut down the stream of negative comments when it comes from someone you love and see every day.

If you work in an area that isn’t “kid friendly,” find creative ways to involve your kids without having to give them all the information. You can also just focus on the goals and why you’re doing what you’re doing, not necessarily what that thing is.

It’s definitely true that there are consequences when you start a business and have a family. Ultimately, changing the mindset on why you’re doing what you're doing and realizing you want more for your family than a 9 - 5 job can offer can help you make the jump.

It’s possible you’ve accidentally conditioned your loved ones to be unhappy about your business. Reframe the way you talk about your business to try to highlight the awesome parts and downplay the negatives.

None! It depends on how you define “best of both worlds.” You can find a business that suits your specific needs and gives you everything you want in life and more.

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In episode 52, I talk about the biggest time-sinks in business that take you away from your family and what you can do to avoid them.

These are the people who just want your attention and keep you around as long as they can. Know when the line is crossed and you’re no longer involved in meaningful interaction and when you’re with someone who tends to take up a lot of your time with useless conversation that takes time away from your work and your family.

Do you check your email every hour? Do you respond to an email as soon as it comes in? By checking your phone, your emails, and any other communication all the time and immediately responding, you’re losing a ton of time! Turn those alerts off and try checking your email twice a day on the average day to cut this time off and focus on more important tasks.

By switching between various tasks - between checking emails or taking calls, working on smaller projects while taking breaks on bigger ones - can really take up your time. Instead, take an hour and a half to really dive into a piece and get it done completely before moving onto the next thing on your to-do list.

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In Episode 50, I talk answer questions from episodes 46 and 48 about business education and how to ensure your business really is the best thing for you and for your family. I also answer some general questions from my followers about parenting advice and inspirations.

I’m always looking for new information. The best way to start is to search for how to do things you aren’t familiar with. There are also free educational materials that lead into bigger webinars, and if you can get involved in groups that help each other in business, that can help a lot.

Make sure you’re only getting the most current information so you don’t have to dig through a lot of information. Play around with programs to get familiar with them before you really dig into the nitty gritty details.

Try out other kinds of businesses, like drop shipping or amazon businesses, to free up your time and possibly bring your family into what you’re building.

It’s not an all or nothing situation. Work on making your existing business something that will get you on the right track, or leverage the business you have now to build the business that gets you what you want.

In episode 49, I interview Dana and Mark Hitjakes, who work hard to help other small businesses thrive while building a video production business of their own. Mark and Dana also have two kids and have a lot of great things to say about balancing their career and their family.

Dana and Mark don’t just balance their work and home life - they integrate it. The two of them can’t really be separated.

Dana and Mark’s kids have seen it all - from the beginnings of the business to where the two of them are today, and that’s helped raise their confidence about what they can do when they grow up.

Children and having a family gives entrepreneurs a real reason to work hard and achieve their dreams.

Find Mark and Dana at their webite, SoSu.tv or on social media.

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In Episode 47, I answer some great questions from episodes 43 and 45 about business leverage, technology, and getting rid of guilt. If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to talk to your kids or how to take advantage of technology when you’re pretty technologically impaired, this is the episode for you.

When you do it right, you take the stressful tasks off your plate, which means you’re at your best when you do spend time with your family. It’s not just about time - it’s about the quality of the time, too.

You don’t HAVE to use technology if it slows you down. There are a lot of other ways you can leverage your resources. Make technology the last thing you leverage - and maybe leverage people to get someone who is good with technology to take it over for you.

There is not a single solution to this problem. Every family is unique. Overall, you need to make sure you’re clear on why you’re doing what you’re doing. Experiment with different ways to talk to your kids about it to see what works for you all as a family, and make sure to tie it all back to their lives and what’s important to them.

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In episode 46, I talk about the importance of education in your business, both in how it helps you improve as a business person and take care of your family. Not only will it save you time and money in the long run, but it will help save your relationships with your family as well.

If you’re learning everything through trial and error, you’re going to take a lot of time and experience a lot of failure. There’s a limit to how much most people can give without getting results, and trying something new without educating yourself first can wear you out.

If you’re doing something that costs you money (such as running ad campaigns), educating yourself on the best tricks and tactics can save you SO much money. People have figured these systems out and you can take advantage of their knowledge rather than spending your money to test it yourself.

Education can help you make sense of what you’re doing to your family. You can explain things differently and more completely, and it’s easier to show them a clear direction on where you’re going and why you’re doing it.

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In episode 45, I cover the really tough topic of how you can get your business done without feeling like you’re sacrificing your kids - and therefore, get rid of the stress and guilt about it. This episode talks about four specific actions you can take to make this happen, even when you’re working crazy hours.

Get your family’s opinions on things and include them on what’s going on with your business. Your kids may show you something novel and amazing you haven’t considered - and then they feel like they’re a part of your business and your life.

This is crucial. Give them reasons to understand why you’re so busy. Most entrepreneurs know why they’re doing what they’re doing, but rarely to they say it to their families. It’s hardly a surprise your family doesn’t understand your dream or vision.

Make sure your kids have a real connection with you and know you’re a real person with real emotions and limitations. This not only gives them perspective on where you’re coming from, but it gives them the freedom to be real people, too.

Don’t hold your guilt inside. Your kids may need to hear what you’re feeling, why you’re feeling it, and what you’re thinking about. This can also open up conversations and help your kids think about things more completely.

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In episode 44, I answer some great questions from my interview with JV Crum III about how to find your calling and the steps you can take to be a more conscious business owner. I also answer questions about how to talk to your teenagers and how to avoid “buying” your kids’ love when you get them gifts and favors.

Every entrepreneur wonders if they’re doing the right thing. Often times, our businesses are “stepping stones” for us to move forward to what our real calling is.

There are so many nonprofits and movements out there, that it really just comes down to what you want to be involved in and what you like. If your business can donate a little bit of time, money, or recognition, nonprofits would love it.

The concept of buying love has to do with intent. If you’re trying to trade it for something, it feels like buying, but if it’s genuine and just because you care and not because you expect something in return, it feels like you care.

Teenagers have a lot going on. A lot of the time they have weird peer pressure to not talk to their parents. I let my kids know that I check in because I want to help guide them, not because I want to control them, setting the stage that checking in is not me trying to be invasive.

If you’re in an industry where it feels like you can’t, look for examples of people in your profession who HAVE balanced their life to get the best of both worlds.

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In episode 43, we talk about how to leverage the people and resources in your life to get the most out of your business without having to work yourself to the bone. Not only will you feel less ragged and burnt out, but your family will appreciate the extra time they get with you.

Anything you use and develop for your business that allows you to do more for less. It allows your company to grow in ways you can’t accomplish alone.

Different people have different skillsets and you can really take advantage of what your partners and employees can do to grow.

Whether it’s the cloud or a phone service that helps you get things done on the day to day, technology can make your business so much easier.

By systemizing what you do every time, you speed through the things you have to consistently do. Systems also tie in everything and make the people and the technology you use more effective.

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