Casual Wednesday & The Perils of Working from Home

My boss is pretty cool. There's always coffee to drink, music on the air, and if I so desire; the permission to wear my Hello Kitty flip flops around the "office." All in all, the atmosphere around here is pretty casual.

MAN - It's gonna take some getting used to.

I've always wanted a job where travel is minimal, and parking is cheap. I have that now, but to get used to the fact that self employment is my work, and what I do for roughly 10 hours a day (right now), is my job, is a tough nut to accept. Sure my client base is building, and one day I may be so busy, I'll look back on this blog, laugh and yearn for the "good 'ole days." However, for now, getting used to the concept that my office attire can be considered casual wear each and every day is strange. Don't get me wrong, I like that I'm sitting in a sexy negligee, eating bon bons, and wondering if Stefano DiMera is still alive.....

But I digress.....

I love my alone time - As I get older, the time I need to myself grows. I'm content, comfortable, and it's a necessity. However, I am noticing that combining work, and home into one, could be a problem if I do not implement the right plans to alleviate such feelings of seclusion. I've read several blogs about individuals working from home, and as the pros and cons weigh in - each blogger states the worst part of a home based business is being alone through the day. Whether it's missing a simple chat with colleague, or receiving positive feedback on a job well done. Already I can feel the motivation slipping to spend all day working from home, and although I know it's been such a short time (and an important time), this is the time where failure could feel imminent, because of the infancy of the business.

We are our own worst critics. All of our successes and failure are solely on us. We cannot blame anyone for things falling apart. Poor planning, and decision making isn't derived from what others have done....so that being said - I need to get over these feelings, and create answers to these "problems."

I will need to look at getting out of the house as a break to the day, and not as slacking off. I need to schedule "me" time, and bask in it....Not look at it as a trip towards failure. I need to know I'm not alone (even though I'm physically alone), and that hundreds if not thousands of people, have felt, feel or will feel the exact same way.

Even though the world of unemployment and self employment currently feel like the same thing. I know I should learn to enjoy this growth and time of change for what it is.

TEMPORARY

"The Boss" of Me

When I was working a 9-5 job in an office in Whistler, I proudly added to the collection of personal coffee cups a mug I purchased at a Bruce Springsteen concert (Bruce is my absolute musical idol). It was heavy, it was large, and it had the faces of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. To me, life (and coffee) couldn't get any better then that.

The mug, is my office mug. When I moved back to Ontario, I packed it up with visions of bringing Bruce to my next workplace, placing the mug lovingly amongst the other 9-5 mugs. However, things did not go as planned and the jobs did not come; Bruce sat in my cupboard, patiently waiting to be brought to a new office Instead, I was given the chance of a lifetime to become self employed. To start a brand new business with the help of the Ontario Government. That being said, Bruce has not moved from the cupboard for over 6 months.

Until Monday

Monday, bleary eyed, and groggy, I made my trip to the kitchen for my daily dose. The Business Development Course was over, and edits of the business plan were in full swing. The final steps to the final presentation to Employment Ontario. I now had no class to go to in the am, and had to re-adjust life as a self employed person. Working for myself, by myself.....Long days at the computer with no conversation from colleagues. Nobody stopping by my desk to chat about the weekend, and no tasks waiting for me that I myself did not create. Monday brought forth a different type of work day. One completely decided by my actions and decisions.

It's always been about me when it came to Virtually There. The marketing, the promotion. The logo and design. The clients, and fees....everything, but when you are sitting a class day after day for six weeks, the thought is there, you know whats coming; but for me, it wasn't until I was making my morning coffee Monday where it all hit me. My future is now completely in my hands. My paycheque, my business successes, everything. It was a little freaky, and a little scary.

Thinking about all these things before my eyes had even fully opened, I looked into the "office" and thought - this is my workplace now....this is my commute. This is where I make my dreams and my future come true.

I looked up into the cupboard, and reached back to my faithful mug. I poured my coffee into it and sat back and reveled in what was about to transpire in my life in the weeks and months (and years) to come.

Bruce and I were finally back at work - and the only Boss in the mix besides him, was me.

It's Been Nine Days Since My Last Confession

When I set this blog up, it was my intention to write each and every single day about my new business venture, starting with my Business Development Class (BDC), and slowly making my way through the trials, struggles and tribulations of a newly self employed individual. What I didn't bank on was the emotional exhaustion it took my to write the business plan, while also trying to balance my life. I found with each day of writing, I was tapped out and had a hard time forming words, never mind sentences.

However the progression to completing my business plan took, I am now in the final editing stages of said plan. Hopefully by end of next week, I'll have it fully completed and tucked away never to be looked at again.

But then - I jest.

When I think of all the factors, all the considerations it takes to not only write a business plan, but a plan that will prove viability and success in the long run - I am not too certain how one would go starting a business (or even considering it), without a plan. My brain had to wrap itself around concepts and ideas I never even considered. Worst case scenarios, financial projections into the third year of the business, stages of growth, anything and everything you can possibly have cross your mind (and more) when it comes to running a business all written down to be dissected, scrutinized and hopefully, approved.

I am a very passionate writer. It's something I love to do, and have often written in life's tough times to get over hurdles, or whatever curves life has thrown at me. It was different this time. This time, my business, my desire to work for myself hung in the balance. It wasn't a blog about my feelings, or where I was in life. It was hard facts, data and bringing my virtual dream down to the nitty gritty. Money, program continuation and proving to myself I could do it have all been critical factors. Perhaps this is why it was such a tough go for me.

Yesterday, was the last day of the BDC - we are now sent off into the world to put our plans to the test. To market ourselves and our business, to build from the ground up what we so diligently put into words for the last six weeks. With the exception of a few monthly meetings, and some evening classes, group 49 is now own their own - with strength and determination to make our businesses a success.

MY GOD I'M SCARED

As much as I enjoy my time alone, I've never worked alone. I've always got up, and went to work...Now, my work is at my home, and I worry about my self discipline and how I can create an organized and efficient work environment in the place I used to come home to every night, weary from the world outside. I know the standards of discipline I will have to set for myself, and will have to implement. I just hope, I can stave off the loneliness so that I can remain effective in my business.

As I sat in class yesterday, eager to get out and start my business, but also fearful of being house bound - another anxiety crept into my head. These come and go, and I know I am not the first self employed person to feel it, and I know I wont be the last.

CAN I MAKE THIS WORK?

From time to time I get emotions built up inside me that scream out "OMG, you are going to be a star!" and other times the fear of failure creeps in and tries to take control. Completely natural I know, but scary nonetheless, and waking up this morning, sitting at my desk, and not having the slightest clue where to start, didn't help.

Like all chapters in my life; this one is riddled with lessons. Lessons I've already learned, and lessons waiting in the wings....

I've come this far...I can't stop now.

Flannel Memories

When I think of flannel, I think of two things; Autumn, and time with my grandmother. I picture a cool breeze, the leaves slowly tumbling from the trees, and how I knew, each sleepover with my grandmother would include fresh, and oh so super soft flannel sheets. Dreams were made made while snuggled up in those flannel sheets.

With the cooler weather we've been having the last few days; I've been thinking back to the times I've cuddled under those sheets, reading, planning my future, or simply dreaming the night away. I started looking online for places to order sheets that would remind me of yesterday's memories, and I found a link to a site that offers so many different companies and price points to choose from - Become-Shopping Your Way has so many different styles and sites to chose from!

From red and plaid flannel at Sears, to Naturepedic Organic sheets the Become site offered every style of flannel anyone could think of. My mouse finger started combing the pages of the site with vigor, trying to decide on the best and most comfortable flannel for my pocket book, and there were plenty. Almost like that little girl at her grandmothers house; I pictured snuggling up with some Austen, and dreaming the night away. My flannel memories can now become snuggles of the present.

Doin' It Again

Today, I lost everything.... Well lost everything for submission number five that is.....

I cried
I stomped my feet
I turned my computer on and off in hopes of the documents return.

And

Got

Nothing.....

So, I had to start all over again..... I got over it pretty quickly, and knowing that the submission is due in under 6 hours - I wont go into any details... I did however, want to post a portion of this weeks submission. It's my biography. Have a read...Tell me what you think.... I'm off to finish my work.

Happy Sunday...

7.3 Key Personnel Biographies

Michelle Murray

A graduate from CDI’s Executive Assistant program, Michelle brings over three years of superior administrative skills, dedication to client satisfaction, and a need to go above and beyond in her projects and administrative tasks.

Michelle returns home to Sudbury Ontario after 2 two and a half years on Canada’s West Coast where she built relationships and a stronger skill set through various volunteer organizations. As a Rotarian, Michelle became the person behind the creative design for many local projects including the Pemberton Rotary and Chamber of Commerce golf tournament. Michelle was provincially appointed by the BC government to become Pemberton’s Spirit of BC Chair, a committee created to ensure legacies were made prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In her role as chair of the Spirit of BC, Michelle was appointed director of the 2009 Pemberton Winterfest. Winterfest is a 10 day annual event that focuses on community, sport, literacy, arts and music, and was recognized by the 2009 Legacies Now/Spirit of BC as a Signature Event during the 2009 festival. Through her experiences with Winterfest and Spirit of BC, Michelle became well versed in the grant writing process as she was responsible for acquiring funding through various organizations including the Cultural Olympiad and Vancouver 2010.

Michelle experiences go way beyond the administrative talents she possesses. Hired as a contract employee through Live Nation, Michelle became a part of music history when she worked as a festival coordinator for the 2008 Pemberton Festival, through these experiences Michelle was able to hone her multi-tasking skills, and learn that diligence and perseverance truly pay off.

Through these amazing experiences Michelle now sits on the board of directors for Keep A Breast Canada. KABCAN is a non-profit organization with the mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by informing young people about methods of prevention, early detection and support.

Virtually There – Administrative & Executive Services fulfills Michelle’s desire to work as a self employed individual. With the growing need of virtual assistants for small and independent business owners, Michelle can take her corporate experience, couple it with Northern Ontario hospitality, add a dash of Olympic dreams and round it up with dedication and a strong desire to make each client feel like number one and create the perfect environment where only firewalls are the boundaries to her success.

Negative Nelly

Remember yesterday when I mentioned:

"The plan is coming together, the ideas are forming, and solidifying, and I am looking at my business from (almost) every conceivable angle. I say almost in parenthesis because nobody owns a crystal ball, and not one person can tell you what may or may not happen in your business. It's just not possible."

Do you?

Well - today we started to cover those angles, the inconceivable, the negative, the sour, the unimaginable. In other other words; we covered everything no business person (small or large) ever wants to think about. The rub? You gotta, because they could happen.

Today, left the class feeling like a bunch of Negative Nellies.

When your planning your business, whether it be time to live the dream you've had as a child, or have become proficient in something you believe you can do on your own, you don't really want to sit down and examine every possible negative angle the business can take. Firstly, it's not as fun as imagining the possible, living the dream. Looking beyond the possibilities and spending time on the issues that could break your business isn't my idea of a way to spend the afternoon; but it has to be done. It's important to take the time and write out all the unimaginable things that can happen to you, the people you love, and the people you may eventually hire. Spending the time on hypothetical (yet possible) scenarios can prepare you for any type of "disaster" and allow you the opportunity to form a contingency plan.

Today, as I sat in class and started to write things down it, didn't take long to come up a nice long and somewhat realistic list of things that could happen to me while I am running my business. These are issues we've thought about, and maybe mentioned to friends and family, but are told,

"Hey! Is that any way to think? You gotta be positive man!"

And when it comes to our friends and family being there as external support, they are right....You need to keep thinking positive so as to not attract any negative energy. These thoughts however are crucial. If you think about them, and prepare for them (even if it's just on paper), and they do happen, you aren't going to be caught off guard. You might even have a detailed procedure to help you through the tough time. That isn't being negative, it's being practical, and every good business plan makes room for these scenarios.

Sure they aren't great to think about, and it left some of the class a little downtrodden, and negative for the day, but it sure gets you thinking. Think of the worst case scenario, plan for it, and hopefully you will never have to use it.

Are We There Yet?

Over the last few weeks, you have all been reading my blogs about this journey I am on in the Business Development Course through the Learning Initiative in my hometown of Sudbury Ontario. Funded by Employment Ontario, this program enables new business owners to start up a business with education, leadership, guidance, and yes, maybe a little hand holding. The program walks you through step by step the proper way to write and present your business plan. It's time consuming, over loading, and stressful at times, but by gosh, one of the greatest things I have done to date. I mean really - what do I know about writing a proper, well planned, and thought out business plan; never mind running a business on my own?

NOT MUCH

I am however, getting there. The plan is coming together, the ideas are forming, and solidifying, and I am looking at my business from (almost) every conceivable angle. I say almost in parenthesis because nobody owns a crystal ball, and not one person can tell you what may or may not happen in your business. It's just not possible.

At this point in my business plan, I am starting to write the operations portion. The HOW'S and the HOW TO'S of my business. It's neat really, because as I write, new procedure and ideas pop into my head, and I re-think what it is I need to do to protect not only myself, but my clients. Things that are common place in day to day activities need to be put down on paper and matched against the vision of your business. Do these procedure match who you want your clients to see? Are your policies reflective of your image? It's strange to say; and may sound silly to all of you who may be in business, or have written business plans in the past, but when I was thinking of colours for my website, or what I would charge to a non for profit agency, I did not stop to think about creating policies and procedure to not only match, but reflect my business and it's image. I just though it would come naturally, as my image is - well, it's essentially me.

Today was a long day (I should say is, as it's still going), started early in the morning, because I know it's a good time for me, and went a little longer in the afternoon, because of a monthly meeting, coupled with a SEB graduation. As I fanned myself with a handout, and questioned why I was wearing polyester in the heat, several previous SEB "students" and new business owners came up to accept their kudos for finishing program; and a few them coupled with their thank yous to the instructors, shared insights into what they had learned, accomplished, or really wanted to emphasize to us; Group 49- still tadpoles in the world of business development. It was neat to hear the comments, the the reminders of what's important, and to see the looks of success on all their faces.

I smiled a lot despite my sticking polyester, and looked at the faces of people who have been through exactly what I was going through in that instant. Exhaustion, excitement, exhilaration (and a few other words that don't begin with E), and the simple joy of knowing that all of this opportunity that we have been given, all of the resources we have at our fingertips intensify our rate and level of success. Sure we still have to put in 110 percent, breath life into like it were a child, but we are lucky.

With only two weeks left of our initial six week course, and the final business plan to be completed shortly there after, I am in the home stretch of a soft opening, and to tell you the truth. I'm pretty damned excited - polyester pants and all.