I’m sure you realize that it is your responsibility to motivate and inspire yourself. I know we get that from outside sources at times and it’s always nice. But, life and business building is much easier once we know it’s our job to keep our personal mental state at a level where we want to do what we know we should be doing.

What inspires you? A person, a book, music, a 5 mile run, your vision of your future, or maybe just relaxing and doing some thinking? Regardless of what it is, do it…get it….make it happen. You’ll be glad you did.

- a number of industries have free “Mastermind” groups, where a number of business owners from across the country get together, either by phone, or in person, to support one another and brainstorm

- some blogs and forums whose subject matters are not at all specific to this topic have “communities” specifically for those who work at home; this can be a good place to meet with other workers at home with whom you share something else in common as well

- there may be business networking groups (like BNI) in your area that at least indirectly support those with home-based businesses (alongside the more traditional business people)

- consider general conferences, workshops and inspirational speakers, even if they are not specific to your industry

- And, of course, allow work at home mom blogs to provide information, encouragement and inspiration .

I certainly have a lot to be thankful for, and working at home is right up there on the list! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Leadership and Influence Summit is an excellent place to find these things. Available only until the end of November (2010), this is a free online event featuring over 30 leading experts sharing 6-20 minute video strategies on how to maximize leadership and influence effectiveness.

I appreciate the fellow leader who shared this resource with me, and now I pass it along to you.

There are always tons of things vying for our time and attention. And, because we are “at home”, others sometime think we have more of that precious commodity of time, and so are more likely to ask for some of it. But, of course, working at home takes up time, just as working in the corporate world would do.

And so, we must recognize the wisdom and self-discipline of saying “no” as needed. I have a quote from Steven Covey on my bulletin board: “The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good’.”

It’s not easy for me to say “no” to good things. But the best for me reflects my highest priorities: faith, motherhood, family. Those arenas are where I strive to put my yes-es.

I want the best, don’t you?

Perfect for the work at home mom. We’ve got some problems, don’t we?….I mean solutions!! And also ideal for the woman with nonmom skills who wants to be a work at home mom!

Check it out: www.pinkbatmovie.com. What do you think?

Which is why it is important to surround yourself with encouraging people. As a work at home mom, you need a support team that will encourage and inspire you. People who will help you remember those advantages and benefits of your situation, when the going gets rough.

I’m blessed to have encouraging people inherent in my home-based business model, as I am in business for myself as a work at home mom, but not by myself. My business support “team” is all things encouraging. Other places to find encouraging people: trusted family members and friends, blogs like this (!), business networking groups, other work at home moms in your community. They’re out there — persevere until you have found encouraging people with whom to surround yourself. And stay connected to them in order to keep the encouragement flowing! It will help you succeed as a work at home mom.

Or, if you already are a work at home mom, use discontent to sharpen your focus, advance your skills and/or to (once again) dream for and work toward something different than your current situation!

This comment was spoken about a friend, “Jane”, by the mother of one of her high school friends who had just learned that Jane is a homeschooling mom whose nonmom work is also done largely from home. Jane and I shared a laugh recently about this type of prejudice, if you will, and how short-sighted it is.

First and foremost, there is nothing as “something” as raising children and doing it well. Secondly, the work at home stuff that Jane does IS really something – as an advising teacher (and sometime political lobbyist) for other homeschool families, she’s competent, professional, articulate, and contributing to the greater good.

You ARE something, Jane. Just keep laughing!

Sometimes those kinds of circumstances have very happy endings. In my case, I did not actually set out to be a long-time work at home mom, but my interest in the product line of my company created a natural inlet into a fabulous home-based business opportunity. And once there, I realized what a terrific fit it was for me and my family.

But not all such stories have a happy ending. Like the underemployed college grads so common today.

So for those women whose careers have evolved into less than ideal fits, I would like to share the insight of Stephen Covey:

“If you don’t make a conscious effort to visualize who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default.”