Climbing the Mountain

EssexHebridean

My Mum worked from home when I was a child Misty - and the deal was always that I could interrupt her if something was urgent - properly urgent (she always said - if I or someone else was hurt, or someone or something was in actual danger) - but otherwise there was a 5 minute window once an hour when she'd set work aside for a chat, to make a cuppa etc, and she always made sure that there was a lunch break factored in there which she'd spend with me too. Beyond that though I had to understand that work was work, and that I was lucky not to have her *out* at work.

Maybe make sure that they have lots of activities, games etc ready to go so that there's not the boredom factor involved? Easier when there's more than one at a guess - as an only child it was a bit challenging at times.

MistyMountainTop

Thanks EssexH. One of the problems is that I work in the dining room and our front door leads directly into the dining room. Anyone coming in or out, going to the kitchen or front room, has to walk through. Unfortunately it's the only room where there is space for me to spread the things out. I did lose it a bit and let them know how important it was for me to get my work done uninterrupted but I was very shouty and I don't know if it actually sank in. I think they were in shock that I was shouting because I very rarely do it.

In other things, I got the large job done, it only took half a day and I feel so much better now without it hanging over my head. I'm still updating the spreadsheet every day so know down to the last penny what I have in each account, I finally got around to adding things like paypal and amazon vouchers as well. I'm doing well on my diet and walking, but I haven't weighed myself in weeks so can't update my sig yet.

My jobs are very thin on the ground at the moment, so I'm trying to do evilbay etc. in between trying to get more work. There are other avenues of online income I'd like to look into but they all take time to set up and understand properly - at the moment I don't feel I have the time or energy to start anything else. I think if we are going to be able to pay our bills I will need to change my attitude and get organised so I do have the time. I'd like a desk to keep everything in one place and have a proper work area, at the moment I use the dining room table and put everything in a box of folders when I'm done. I often need to remind myself that many people have done far more than me when they were in far more inconvenient situations. I really should watch The Pursuit of Happyness again, it always lights a fire under my backside...

MistyMountainTop

I've picked up a few small jobs but next week am planning to do a big marketing campaign to try and get my book filled for the rest of the year. That's the only problem for me being self-employed - it is totally up to me to get my behind in gear and get the work or I'll never be able to do it full time. I've been an employee for such a long time, having the full responsibility on my shoulders is a new experience. It's shown me where my shortcomings lie and how important it is that I organise myself and am more assertive about putting myself forward for work. Until I'm firmly established,(and probably long after as well) the jobs won't be coming to me so I need to go get them!

Not had time to watch the Happyness movie yet, but am planning on doing it soon. Can anyone recommend any other inspiring movies?

I've been staying away from social media except for the marketing side, and it feels so good. When I occasionally look at the drivel that has been posted I can see that I haven't missed anything. There are so many people that seem to live on fb, posting their every movement. I don't understand why anyone would want to do that - it's not interesting for anyone to read and just seems a bit sad. These are older adults too who should know better.

Spreadsheet is being updated daily, down to the last penny. It has been really helpful in stopping me spending without thinking much about it. I've also been eating very well and exercising but have yet to lose any weight. It's frustrating but I'm going to keep going.

hope everyone is surviving in this heat! xx

Chandelier.

Hi Misty,

Nice to see your update . I hope you manage to pick up some more work.

I agree with social media, I've deleted all the apps from my phone and occasionally check Facebook on Internet browser from time to time. I tend to lurk more on here now.

I hope your healthy eating and exercising pays off. Alot of people I know do not weigh but go by the way their clothes fit. I'm trying at the moment to choose better food choices and it is hard sometimes especially in this heat!

It's alot cooler today though and it's trying to rain but doesn't seem to be getting anywhere

Have a good day.

[Deleted User]

Hi Misty,

Nice to see your update.

I totally agree about FB, some people really do post carp on there.

Good luck with the bookings, I'm sure you'll have loads that you'll be turning some away

Bit cooler my end today and I think rain is due xx

EssexHebridean

Also not a fan of FB - I still use it but mostly for posting photos rather than "life updates" type stuff. Also finding the quantity of "SelfSelfSelfies" on Twitter these days a bit offputting - seems that every second person out there who's quick as a flash to tell you how much they hate pics of themselves is bunging them up there faster than you can blink! :rotfl: Ahh well - takes all sorts!

No question the eating better and moving more approach to life definitely does work - I'm finding the exercise side of things really hard work in this weather but trying to stick with it. Looking at the way your clothes fit is as good a measure of how you're doing as anything too - you can also try measurements of specific areas if you're someone who needs hard figures as proof?

In the spirit of fitting in with the pattern above, I can report that it's a little cooler here but no sign of rain yet! :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Morning Misty,

Hope you're okay? x

MistyMountainTop

Thanks for checking in on me! I'm doing well but am so busy I can hardly get online. I will post an update asap!

[Deleted User]

Glad things are busy, that's great news.

Hope you're feeling a bit better now too? X

MistyMountainTop

Thanks purplemo2! I'm feeling pretty good, not much pain and I even have some energy!

I am really busy at the moment so have been quite mindful about staying away from the internet except for things to do with the side business or making money. I will find a free evening soon to catch up with everyone. Aside from this website, I don't miss being away from forums/fb at all. I'm feeling much more connected to real life and have even had the chance to hang out with a couple of friends I hadn't seen in a long time. It's put me in a positive mood and I feel like I'm waking up from a long sleep. I don't even want to think about the thousands of hours I've wasted over the years on social media - I could have used that time to learn something new or start the sideline much earlier. No use crying for things I could have done, but it's not going to continue.

I was reading about how young people aren't taking up learning a musical instrument or learning some craft, art or sport in the same numbers that they did even 10 years ago. Part of it is blamed on school cutting music and art programs but a large part is blamed on social media - children have passive entertainment at their fingertips, they are no longer bored and looking for new things to do in the same way that past generations did. It struck me as a very sad thing and I wondered how it could be changed or if we are too far down the line to do anything.

I have realised that there are areas of my sideline where I need more experience and training. Some of the things I can learn online so I've been watching videos etc. to help me. I was going to sign up to a course but realised that I can improve quite a bit with free videos, it will take a little more work but it's shocking that my first instinct was to pay for it - I thought my thrifty ways went deeper than that! If I don't make the progress I'm hoping for then I may end up doing a course but I need to make a concerted effort with the free videos first.

I've been checking out my competition - seeing what they are doing that I'm not or how I can incorporate some of their techniques into my own work. I've also discovered Canva and have been making my own marketing materials that look better than the ones I paid for at the Vistapr**t. The only prob is it's so easy to get involved in a new design that before I know it 3 hours are gone.

Aside from that I'm ebaying and decluttering, doing surveys, mystery shopping, getting rid of the hobby items I talked about months ago - anything to bring in the money. I have only 3 paid jobs booked this month and two in August so I need to push the marketing side of things a bit harder.

I hope everyone is well and I will catch up with you all soon xxx