No Wonder I’m So Tired

My grandmother found this great notation on why we as worker bees are always so tired. I hope you all enjoy it!

No Wonder I’m So Tired!
Author: Unknown

There are 200 million Americans.
85 million are over 65 and 76 million are under 21.
that leaves only 38 million to do the work, but 5 million are in the armed forces.
That leaves 32 million to do the work, but 6 million are on welfare, and that leaves 26 million to do the work, but 15 million work for the government, and that leaves 11 million to do the work. 10 million are in school; that leaves 1 million to do the work, but 750,000 are disabled or sick. That leaves 250,000 to do the work. Last week there were 249,998 people in jail.
And that leaves 2 people to do the work.
And since you don’t do much —No Wonder I’m Tired!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Tuesday

Hi Everyone,

It’s been a busy week here. the long holiday weekend was absolutely gorgeous, the sun was out, the flowers are in bloom. As you probably guessed, I didn’t get a lot accomplished work wise last week with everything going on, but I did make a plan of attack and hope to work on it this week and find answers to at least some of my outlined questions.

I am still working on ways to find and apply to contracts with the government. Preferably things I can do from home as I have no desire to go back to a standard office and lose the connection I have with my son. I love having him around and learning from him every day. I also love the flexibility that working at home affords me.

My plan for this week is to get in touch with a marketing contact of mine and review my options, look further into grants for business, writing, and education. Look into online universities and see what it will take to complete my degree. (I haven’t been in school for over 4 years so this could be a long adventure.)

As always I’ll keep you informed as I go along and share what I learn with all of you. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed the fabulous weather. It was sunny and 70’s here and I have the sunburn to prove it.

Till later,
Kristi

May 15, 2009 – One step at a time

Hi,

Business is cyclical, we all understand that. The problem occurs when that cycle bottoms out at the same time the market bottoms out. That is where I stand at the moment. My solution is to try other avenues and still work from home.

What other avenues, you ask? Good question…there are several to choose from, though not all of them are easy to find or capture. The first avenue I’m pursuing is standard employment. Yes, even if you work from home you can still work for someone else. The second avenue is government contracting. This isn’t as easy as the government has a ton of red tape for every step of every process. (I’ll keep you up on this as it progresses. I’m really enjoying the learning curve on this step.) My third avenue is an adventure in marketing. I’m not perfect, I’m not an expert, but I do know the basics and the principals behind it so I might as well put everything I know to good use and cross my fingers.

What am I not doing? Panicking. There is not time to panic. There’s not time to wallow in self pity or doubt. These actions will only prolong the agony at this point I don’t have the time nor patience for this. (you shouldn’t either)

I am also putting together query letters for literary agents so I can sell my latest book. I am not afraid to ask for help on this as I know virtually nothing about marketing a book. OK, I do know some of the basics, but not enough to give my work the attention it deserves.

I’ll let you know how the government thing goes as it goes and hopefully I will have great success to report with the query letters. I wish all of you luck with everything you venture to do. Always keep a positive attitude as that will attract positive energy toward you and right now we can all use some positive energy.

Till Monday,
Kristi

Moving forward one baby step at a time

Hi everyone,

As you’ve noticed the last few days I have had more time to update you all on…well, everything. That is because a long term business relationship has lately turned south. The turn is my own fault and I appreciate the patience the other party has had, but I’m thinking that at this juncture we need a break from each other. So, I am formulating a plan of action to deal with the situation that will benefit both of us. I just have to find a tactful way to implement that plan.

I am also hoping to win 2 new contracts that have recently come up. It looks like my business is shifting toward my bookkeeping services and that is a shift I like. I have always loved numbers and solving problems. With bookkeeping I get to do both. That doesn’t mean I am going to cease working as a VA, because I love the randomness being a VA provides.

I am also considering going after a few government contracts, but have no idea how. I am listed with the ccr, DUNS, and SBA. I just need to figure out where to go from there. So this week my goal is to figure this riddle out, win the two new contracts, and work on my latest book. I think I will add find an agent to this list as I know so little about marketing a book to publishers and the public and would rather hire the help than go it alone and watch my hard work suffer.

wow, a long do to list. This will definitely be a good week if I complete at least 3 of these tasks successfully. Wish me luck!
Kristi

Revising the future – It’s strange how simple this can be

Hi everyone,

I wrote earlier this week that I was frustrated with how poorly my business has been and the fact that I am having problems with marketing as this is not my strongest area by any stretch of the imagination. Within 24 hours I had a call from a prospective new client which has changed my outlook and how I approach my marketing. It’s amazing what 1 person can do.

So now I am giving it another shot and using whatever tools I can find to assist me in my quest to be a success. The frustration is still there and I assume it will always be there, but as I learn more and network more I am finding out that you can change your path and revise your future. It just takes time and a little bit of help.

I hope all of you are having a great week and find inspiration in every day life. Working for yourself isn’t always easy, but it can be an inspiration to others and a great way to stay connected with your family. I recently ran across a blog post listing out some great resources for anyone trying to work from home. As soon as I find it again I will share it with all of you.

Blessing and Sunshine
Kristi

What does the future hold?

Over the past few days I have had a chance to look at think about what I do, what I want to do, and what I need to do as a single mother to provide for my family. I have come to the realization that I may be in the wrong field. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do and am good at what I do, but I am not a marketing expert nor do I wish to be one. As a business owner you have to be a marketing pro, a sales person, an expert in your field…What happens if you are only 1 of the 3? For me, that answer is simple, you look for something else.

I will not give up what I am doing now, but rather add on to it. I want more time to write, to be with my son, to enjoy the little things. I find that being a business owner is stealing that time away from me. So now the search begins for that new job. I still wish to work from home as that is where I am needed, but with my experience behind me I am confident that I will find something that allows me to work from home, without having to work for myself.

Another journey, another challenge, another day. Thank you all for your support and opinions. It’s always fascinating to see where life will take us.

Happy Mothers Day!
Kristi

Bumps in the Road – Update April 2009

Hi Everyone,

In the initial post “Bumps in the Road” I mentioned that I was looking for help and I still am. I’ve hired the teenager next door to babysit two days a week so I can have some dedicated time for noise free work. The arrangement is working well, but it’s not quite enough. I also rearranged my work schedule so it fit better with my son’s schedule. This helped more than the baby sitter, but I’m not giving her up for my life. I like my sanity!

the next step in finding a solution to my pot hole of a problem was to sign my son up for pre-school. As of September he will be in school two mornings a week for 3 blissful hours. This means I will have 3 whole hours to work, socialize, or do whatever it is I need to do without a small child in tow.

For most single parents, it’s not easy to find the solutions to our dilemma’s. Our funds go toward safe housing, food, clothing (as kids grow way too fast), and on the rare occasion a girls night out. But it is possible to find alternative solutions to items that are non-essential yet necessary. Like a zoo pass so you can go on outings on days when the sun decides to shine, or state funded preschool programs instead of private school. You find the solutions that work for your needs.

Thinking about a vacation? I know I am. I’m thinking camping and hiking at a state park. (This is the Pacific Northwest after all.) I was considering Yosemite or one of the other national parks, but with the budget tightening, staying closer to home seems the more reasonable thing to do. It’s just as fun and less than half the cost!

I hope everyone has a great summer!
Kristi

What is the biggest hurdle you face when you think of chasing your dreams?

Hi everyone,

As you know I am writing a book about chasing dreams and though I know what the biggest hurdle for me is when thinking of my dreams I want to hear from all of you. We are all unique and the challenges we face are also unique. Given this it is only fair to include ways that everyone can not only chase, but attain the dreams and goals.

So far I am including sections on planning, financing, goal setting, time management, inspiration, and marketing. Let me know what else you want to see. I want this book to be of use to everyone no matter what their age, income level, or occupation. That means I need your help!

Thanks everyone
Kristi

New Book to hopefully come out in 2009!!

Hi Everyone,

I have begun working on a new book. Yes, finally! I am super excited and happy to be working with some very talented individuals on this venture. The book is about chasing your dreams, no matter what that dream may be.

I have always been a dreamer and only a few times have I actually chased my dreams. Not all dreams are worth chasing, but the ones that are are gold. I am hoping that my book will stand out from everything else on the market because of the thorough nature of the text and the fact that it comes from the heart. No one wants to hear guidance from someone who has never been there, much less someone who didn’t succeed at what they are speaking about.
I hope you will all join me through the journey of writing this masterpiece and in the end have a chance to read it. I have no doubt there will be trials along the way. That is the nature of chasing our dreams. It’s the way we handle those trials and the people we surround ourselves with that makes the difference.

More to come as I work on this amazing concept!
Kristi

Inspiration can come from anywhere

Inspiration is something that everyone searches for and can be found everywhere. From the calming influence of a serene landscape to the voices of youth. Where you find inspiration isn’t as important as finding inspiration. Whatever inspires you, you should use to push yourself.

I found something recently that gives me hope for the future. Not just for writers, but for American culture and an end to the violence that appears to have become a daily part of our lives. HBO has put together a new program called ‘Brave New Voices’. The young people showcased are an inspiration to the diversity and adversity of Americans. I encourage you to check it out: http://www.hbo.com/bravenewvoices/

Whatever inspires you should be utilized to fuel your dreams. Those dreams and the dreams of millions of others are what this country was built on. Dreams propel us forward and make the everyday new and unique. Without dreams we wouldn’t have cures for disease, presidents with passion, literature that inspires and captivates…Enjoy your dreams and the persuit of them.

Kristi