I have discovered one of the problems with working from home is that you are always technically at work. There it is just sitting there beckoning for you to do one more thing. Not playing with my daughter? Not doing house work? Well what better use of my time then to work on my site? In case you haven't already learned this lesson that is a great recipe for complete and total burn out. When you find yourself hating what you normally love take a good look and ask yourself, "When have I last had a break? My number one lesson for the past weeks is:

Set scheduled working and relaxing hours and STICK TO THEM!

Just this week I've made the rule no business or house work after 11PM. It was part of my organizing process but it has had a huge reflection on my stress level! I woke up this morning happy and relaxed, not to mention more reseted and ready for the day. Why was that? Because I actually had a few minutes to mellow and enjoy life before bed. I fell asleep earlier. I slept longer and deaper. I woke up more refreshed all because I left a little me time.

So if you are a driver type A who has trouble stepping away, remember my lesson. You will be a happier driver type A if you remember to schedule and keep to some relaxing time. Your spouse and any children will probably be happier too. The hour of us time I've been setting a side for my loving husband each evening has really helped us both feel a lot more connected. Not to mention I've been enjoying watching the new Dr Who with him! Take care of yourself and take care of your loved ones! And good for you if you've read this and go, "Well that's obvious!" I usually have to learn things the hard way. :)

If you liked this post and have kids you should check out our main Mom's News Blog with all the latest in recalls, child related studies, news that affects your life, health news, organizing tips, etc. (Non parents are welcome as well... but it will not be quite as relevant.)

I find myself struggling with finding balance with my blogs and with my life. Not the normal work life balance... even though that is a continuous struggle. A what to do and say sort of balance.

For example what should this business blog be like? Should it be all business? Much more personal? Someone reading this to learn about starting a business probably doesn't care whether or not my two year old took a nap today... however a mom reading this might care about the power struggles we're having. In turn at what point is taking into account the readers going to far and sacrificing what makes the writer unique. Especially when you don't really know what's going on in the readers head. In contemplating all this I've come to one personal conclusion. In an attempt to sound business like I've started sounding too business like. I've let the personal creep out and it's at the least impacted my willingness to write here. So I guess what I'm saying is there's going to be a little bit more raw me and my life. :)

For another balance, what in the world do I work on in my business when there is sooooooo much to work on! On one hand I'm not happy with my news website for mom's blog design. It's professional to pass but has a long way to go. For example it would be nice to have a business logo. On the other hand, the site is bleeding red each month. Only about $30 or so but for something that's supposed to help contribute to the household income it would be nice if it did. Maybe I should work on advertising and the advanced projects that spring off the site. (I don't actually intend to make my fortune selling google ads.) But then what good is a revenue stream possibility without any readers? Should I be marketing? Actually in the end, after playing around a bunch and talking to my husband, the answer is really simple. As he put it, "When I look at a site what it comes down to is content." I need to work on consistent good content for my audience. I need to stop playing with everything else and focus. Get my columns ahead of themselves so all I have to focus on is editing news stories. Once that's rolling I can move on to the next.

Well, now, before I do have to write a paragraph about work/life balance, it's just shy of midnight, I'd better sign off and head to my book (In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan) and bed. My alarm clock fell asleep on the early side and she doesn't have a snooze button.

Starting a business is a lot like driving to the article circle and back... in one day.... with a two year old. In the beginning you start with a lot of fanfare and excitement! At some point you realize you've read "Elmo Loves You" 100 times in a row back to back, some one is chanting "Read Read Read" and all you can see in front of you is a very very long dirt road.

I'm currently at that point in my business, where there has been a lot of hard work, and very little payoff. The multitudes are not flocking to my door begging for parenting news. This week I've been reassessing my goals and expectations and this is what I've come up with:

• Just like we made it to the Arctic Circle with out going nuts I will eventually meet my business goals. It just requires a lot of hard work and a picture of the end goal.
• Marketing is important. Really important. But no matter how important it is attempting to market anything except express toy shipping between the days of Dec 15 and Jan 1 is impossible. Just don't do it.
• Elmo does not actually love you. Not even a little bit. What he loves is attempting to get parents committed.
• Get user feedback. Yes, you may think your idea is cool but what do your customers think? Find a focus group and ask their opinion. By focus group I mean an random potential customers you can beg to answer a question, not a paid room of people. Also, don't ask your immediate family. It's like asking your husband if your pants make you look fat... he has an incentive to sugar coat things a little.
• Listen to your gut but not your sense of panic. Panic is "It's all wrong! I'm a failure! I quit." Listening to your gut is "Hmm... this might be a bit to boring and dry. What's can make it really interesting?" Rome wasn't built in a day. Most businesses don't succeed overnight.
• Never, never, never buy a board book with Elmo on the cover. Even when it is presented to you by an eager eyed, glowing 2 year old who has just been an angel on a long plane flight. Don't do it! Trust me on this.

I just saw this press release on one of the news services I follow. It sounds like an interesting contest.

(NAPSI)-A new contest is giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas before the likes of Google's Marissa Mayer, the Red Sox's Curt Schilling and the world, with three of them walking away with not only investment dollars, but a functioning company supported by some of the best business advisers, accountants, lawyers and marketers in the world.

In the process, a vibrant community for start-ups and those interested in investing in them, partnering with them, working for them or beta testing their services will develop. Entrants will be able to brainstorm, get new ideas and meet potential new business partners, investors and employees.

The contest site is a community and utility that will grow in its own right over time. It's a network where people interested in entrepreneurship, start-ups, investing and hot new technologies will congregate to discuss ideas, collaborate, look for jobs and perhaps take part in future contests.

"You Be the VC" is an open call for entrepreneurs to submit their ideas for new start-ups before the contest deadline, February 1, 2008. The public will ultimately decide which three companies will get start-up funds and resources. The "launch pad" will include:

• Incubator office space and support staff in Cambridge, Mass.
• Legal counsel from Foley & Lardner
• Financial and accounting advice from Deloitte & Touche
• Start-up capital from Bang Ventures, an investment firm focused on early-stage emerging technology companies
• Stipend to live and work in the Boston area for three months

In addition to representatives from the above-named companies, contest judges will include:

• Robert Balke, corporate adviser, Forge Partners
• Tony Perkins, founder and editor in chief, AlwaysOn
• Jason Pontin, editor in chief and publisher, Technology Review
• Bambi Francisco, CEO, Vator.tv
• Keith Rabois, co-founder, Slide.com
• Leah Culver, co-founder, Pounce
• Craig Walker, co-founder, GrandCentral
• Rob Norman, CEO, Group M Interaction Worldwide
• Jim Fowler, CEO, Jigsaw
• Marissa Mayer, vice president, Search Products & User Experience, Google
• Curt Schilling, founder and chairman, 38 Studios

Remember, "You Be the VC" isn't a beauty pageant; it's an effort to allow great ideas to become great companies. The real reward is the experience and support-financial and otherwise-to build your company.

About Bang Ventures

Bang Ventures helps smart and driven people co-found fantastic new companies, providing entrepreneurs with a roof over their heads, mentoring, a deep network of contacts, marketing support, professional services and other technical support, as well as funding. The firm gets into the projects at the inception phase, evaluating opportunities and empowering entrepreneurs to develop strong companies.

To learn more or for information on how to enter the "You Be the VC" contest that ends February 1, 2008, visit the Web site at www.youbethevc.com.

Bloggers have been busy this month. There are currently a ton of great learning resources out there for anyone looking for a crash course in marketing and/or blogging. Here are the ones that I have found useful:

• IttyBiz is running it's 31 Days of Marketing tutorial. Can I just say I LOVE this blog. I consider it my crash course in a marketing degree. It's also always highly entertaining! Some time in the next week I'll post my homework assignments from the lessons.
• Business Blog Wire is continuing to add posts to its collection of 200 Blog Review Questions. These articles are great. They cover all sorts of details and questions you should ask about your blog. When ever I have time for blog improvement I consult the list for ideas.
• Pro Blogger has done several interesting articles on getting blog ideas using Mind Mapping and Building on Old Posts.
• Self Made Chick wrote a very motivating piece on How to Achieve Ridiculous Goals. It was inspiring. I'm currently considering a ridiculous goal of 10,000 unique visitors by the end of January.
• Finally if you are starting a business and too cheap to buy word processing or presentation software check out Zoho. It's online and it's free. :)

The article I submitted to Work It Mom just got published. Check out 9 Steps to Jump Start Your Career. It's about how to stop waiting for your boss to give you what you deserve and to fight for it. It's written from the perspective of a working woman but the advice would work for anyone who feels under appreciated in their job.

The Shane and Peter Blog has posted a set of interview questions for entrepreneurs. Here's my response:

What’s your personal mission statement?
Live each day so that if hit by a bus tomorrow I have no regrets. (Well,.. besides the fact I was just hit by a bus!)

What’s the biggest mess you’ve dealt with this year?
My 2 year old daughter's allergy to corn and it's 50+ derivatives in every processed food you can think of. Now I have to cook almost all her food from scratch. I'm also up a lot at night when there's an oops like an apple with corn based wax coating. We eat healthier but I have to get creative in finding time to work. I can now stir fry, chase a 2 year old and upgrade drupal software at the same time!

What current entrepreneurial efforts consume your time?
My new website From the Park Bench, a news web site for moms, which is launching it's beta version this Monday (12/10/07). (Does it count as a shameless plug if it's written on the site in question?)

(Breaking this into three separate questions)
Why do you do what you do?
I'm a computer geek and a mom. I finally found a way to combine the two and hopefully earn a living. It makes me feel good about my self and helps my family.

What inspires you?
The what is a who, my mom. This is a direct quote from her a few years ago, "Don't worry honey. The Maoist rebels go through the village I'm volunteering at but they don't hassle anyone." Twenty five years ago my mom was a single rural nurse raising two kids... then she put herself through medical school when I was in junior high... now she's an ER Dr and routinely volunteers in third world countries. When things get tough I look at what she's done and feel like I can do anything too.

When do you get most excited?
Solving complex problems, making anything with chocolate, watching my daughter figure out how to do something new.

Boxers or Briefs? or as Naomi says, Bikini or Thong, duh?!?
Please do not get me started on my opinion of the person who invented the Thong. It's bad enough someone invented high heal shoes.

What do you do when you’re not [designing | programming | managing | writing | toiling for the wo/man]?
For starters cook a lot of corn free food. Luckily cooking is actually one of my hobbies. I actually read cookbooks from front to back when I have the time. I just started Wild Fermentation: The Flavor, Nutrition, and Craft of Live-Culture Foods and Spice: Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. (For the record I am an Amazon Associate)

I'm also a big fan of Science Fiction and Fantasy books. Occasionally when I'm brain fried I'll read a trashy romance novel. When it's not freezing cold outside I like to garden and go hiking in the nearby mountains. At one point in my life (prebaby) I did indoor rock climbing and yoga. At some point I want to start both again but I suspect it's not going to be anytime soon!

What one thing made the biggest difference when getting started?
Lol, I'm not sure... ask me when I'm no longer getting started. I'd say for now raw stubbornness and a strong desire to be the idiot who made the mistake instead of working for the idiot who made the mistake. :)

What’s your exit strategy?
I'm still working on my entrance strategy. My plan is to build the site and associated businesses to the point where they make a very nice income. After that it will just depend on where I am in life. I don't want to depend on having to sell it to be successful. I want it to make money without convincing someone else it eventually will.

What is the last thing that made you belly laugh?
No question the youtube video "Here Comes Another Bubble"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi4fzvQ6I-o

Have you ever been in business before?
Only if you count lemonade stands at my grandparents when I was 10.

At what point do you consider yourself successful?
Now, I have a wonderful family and I'm doing something I love. If you mean specifically for the business then when I make enough money it would equal what I would make as a programmer.

What was your first experience with a computer?
My elementary school had an Apple. You could write a simple program in basic that controlled how a turtle moved across the screen. It was a lot of fun!

Steve Jobs vs Bill Gates in a jello wrestling match, where’s your money?
Ohhh... that's a tough one! I think I'll have to give it to Steve Jobs because he's better at making a come back. I predict it will look like Gates is winning for the first round... but at the very end Jobs will land a crushing punch.

Where do you do your best thinking?
Nursing my daughter in a dark room before nap, bedtime and if she's sick at night. It's the closest I get to quiet time. I almost put rocking there since nursing over 1 is so controversial but that wouldn't be accurate. I used to think babies should be weaned at 1 but that was before I had a 1 year old on a food allergy elimination diet. Nursing has been a life saver multiple times when she's been sick so I'm a convert.

What does your average daily work / life balance look like? How much time do you work, play and sleep?
I actually wish a had an hour or two more a day to dedicate to work. Right now I fit it into the spare moments of life which usually means less sleep. So maybe I should say I wish I had an hour or two more sleep. :)

If I could introduce you to anyone, who would it be?
My initial gut choice is Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). I think he would be fascinating to talk to and have great incite on the modern day. However he's not a very practical choice. I would say someone who understands the practicality of running a big company, finding good executives and getting financing. At some point I hope to grow my company and the only thing I know about all that is there are a lot of bad executives out there.

What stops you from giving up when you are frustrated?
Stubbornness and remembering how much I didn't like being stuck working for other people!

If Chuck Norris and Steven Hawking had a baby (hey it’s my damn interview), would you vote for her for president?
Lol, Tempting but it would depend on what political party she joined. I'm really sick of all the main US parties so she'd have the best bet with me as independent or a moderate Libertarian. However I can't see how she could be worse then the current choices!

My additional question: Knowing what you know now would you change anything in the past?
Yes, there is lots in the past I could change. The problem is most of those experiences taught me what I know now. I had to have a career that stagnated for a few years to realize it was up to me to fight for my career and self. That people weren't going to give me what I deserved just because I deserved it. So, I probably wouldn't change anything.

In business you have to be willing to make a fool of yourself. Just ask the folks at my local bank branch. A month ago I opened my business bank account escorted by a pint sized Hello Kitty, complete with large fluffy cat head hat, bright pink dress and, to top off the picture, bright yellow duck slippers. Did I feel a bit foolish walking into a place of business looking like I was going to a Halloween parade? Oh yes I did! Really foolish but I did it anyway. It was either that or wait another week or two until dearest C got tired of wearing her costume daily. (If you think I had the option of making her wear something else... have you ever tried force dressing a 2 year old and then taken them somewhere you needed them to be quiet???) In the end it took being willing to look foolish to get the job done.

Every step I take in this business I realize the same thing is true. No, it's not as dramatic as walking up to a business desk with Hello Kitty, but each blog post, each email, each phone call there is a risk of feeling the fool. "What will they think of me? What if they don't respond? What if? What if? What if?" In the end the fear of foolishness can stop every single activity necessary for a successful business. At the very least it can slow things down as you question your every move, every word, ever idea for risk of foolishness. To succeed, instead of fearing being a fool, you need to embrace it. Realize that yes, sometimes you may look as foolish as a woman marching Hello Kitty into a bank, but in the end that doesn't matter. All that matters is that you get the job done.

I've been dealing with fear about my business a lot lately. It's slowing me down and causing me to double think my every move. Recently I've read several good posts about fear on some of my favorite blogs. eMoms at Home did a great article on Is it Fear of Failure or Fear of Success that is Holding You Back? and Itty Biz did a great one on Entrepreneurship: What To Do When You're Scared Sh*tless.

Having two good blogs comment on fear in such a short time made me realize something. I'm not alone in my fear. Even successful people are fearful. The only difference being they didn't let the fear stop them. In fact I realized, when I was working at my corporate job I was rarely afraid.. but I was often bored. Fear doesn't mean you are doing something wrong. If you have no fear in your life maybe you should take a second look at what you are doing. It means you aren't ever pressing yourself. You aren't stretching your comfort zones. You aren't growing or learning. If you have no fear maybe it's time to try a little harder.

Think of fear like a stepping stone that says, "Congratulations, You are about to go far. Please step here to get started." In the past I've been afraid of many things. In high school I was a wall flower, seriously afraid to speak up. I took it as a sign to join the drama club and the speech and debate club. I can tell you the first time I stood up to present I was shaking like a leaf and left a sweaty hand print on the folder I was clutching as tightly as I could. By the end of college I was confident enough to ace a speech class. More recently I've dealt with a fear of heights and airplanes. As a first step I had a friend teach me to rock climb at a gym. Now I can get on an airplane with out tranquilizers or ripping my husbands arm off each time the plane shakes. It took a lot of steps in between but I had to take that first one at the rock climbing wall.

So what's your fear? What step is it telling you to take? For me right now it's the fear of looking stupid. Throwing my heart and ideas out there and having people scoff or not care. My first step, throwing myself in the line of fire. Starting to make more contact in the blog world. Stop being afraid of sounding stupid and instead sounding silent. So take a step. Where does your fear tell you to go next?

I remember a friend describing a large company's marketing department. (The company will remain nameless since they have a lot more lawyers then I do.) If company X sold sushi they'd put up a sign saying "Cold, dead fish for sale." Completely dead on honest and accurate... but no one would want to eat it!

Today we had a real life example of this phenomenon. D and I both really wanted pizza for dinner. Well... ok... if you could find us a cooked 3 course gourmet steak dinner for 3 for under $20 we'd probably want that more. More accurately we wanted a cheap, yummy dinner where no one had too cook. The problem with pizza is our 2 year old's corn allergy. Corn is literally in everything. It sneaks in under a billion names that don't even remotely sound like corn. In the past C ate at the local pizza place without a problem but the last two times she got sick and we were up all night. Deciding it must be the sauce we figured she could safely eat the cheese garlic bread.

Now imagine this, look at a 2 year old pizza lover who routinely pretends to walk through doors to fetch pizza. Now say, "We're really sorry but mommy and daddy are getting pizza but you will have to eat something else. I promise it's really yummy." If you don't have kids imagine waving a steak in front of a pack of wild dogs and asking them to sit quietly while you eat. It's not going to happen. Luckily that's where good advertising comes into play.

"Guess what honey. We're going to fetch pizza"
"You get your own one. In your own C sized box!"
"It will be just for you"
"I'm even going to give you your own special bowl of dipping sauce that no one else has."
"I'll leave the slice really BIG!"

Now after that we had one happy, excited, dinner demolishing kid.

So what are you telling your customers?

(And for those of you who wonder about my healthy food posts. I swear we really don't eat pizza that often and I do really cook a lot from scratch. And this is a locally owned place that is not a chain. :) )

(Image: Sacs Pizza by Harris Graber; Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.0)