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Working from Home Tips

Working from Home Tips

I am writing this as I sit in my comfy’s after dropping my older three kids off to their respective schools while my 14 month old naps. I am a work from home Mom and Professional. Which is awesome. And hard. And many things in between. As a Mentor and Coach for entrepreneurs I know that this lifestyle is not for everyone…BUT…if you have kids, need flexibility and desire to grow a business that brings in extra income for the family, this model of working can be a powerful and practical platform from which to do all of that.

Over the last 13 years I have been working from home I have learned some BIG lessons! Here’s my top two tips for anyone currently (or looking into) working from home.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE

Yap. Working from home means spending a lot of time locked away in a small space called your office or maybe even at the dining room table with your laptop and many papers being messed with by the toddler. Your home may be where you invest the majority of your work time growing your business but equally important is the time you spend CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS outside of your home walls. This was the biggest oversight I made in my first five years. I didn’t get out enough which eventually led to feelings of isolation, loneliness and burnout (not good!).  Even if you are have an online business it’s important to get dressed and go out. Join a Community Board, attend Networking Groups, create a Goal Club…consistently do something to nurture new relationships. Connections equal opportunity. Plus it feels good to get out and wear real clothes (speaking from experience).

BE FLEXIBLE AND FOCUSED

One of the pros to working from home is that you can create a schedule that meets many peoples needs. I can drop my kids off at school and book coaching sessions for the hours of the day that works best for me (until a kid calls home sick). With this pro is the biggest con as well…you begin to be so flexible you lose focus. There is a delicate balance between adjusting your schedule to consider other family members needs with YOUR OWN NEEDS to develop and maintain a schedule that includes blocked off times that are for work. This takes self-discipline and of course communicating with those around you that work time is important too. There is an adjustment stage–especially if you have been very easy to give up work time in the past.

I hope these two tips for working from home help you to get the most out of your business building experience! Try to enjoy the journey and celebrate your successes. YES. YOU. CAN.

If you are looking into work from home opportunities consider Mango + Moose. We are a socially conscious lifestyle brand with a mission to create positive Global Impact for Artisans around the world. Join as a Global Advocate and you too can be a Social Entrepreneur growing a business from home.

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"WHERE ARE MY KEYS?!" A Quick Tip to an Organized Tote

"WHERE ARE MY KEYS?!" A Quick Tip to an Organized Tote
There is nothing worse than scrummaging around your big bag looking for your keys in an ocean of cosmetics, papers, and products, dropping your favourite lip gloss and just hoping that you can pull a magic trick by swooping it up the first time. I know even in my smaller bags they can be little oceans of stuff I can’t seem to keep altogether. Well here’s what I do to make that problem not a part of my busy schedule.
I use the bag within a bag technique, it’s like tabs for your web browser keeping your daily items in check. I grab smaller bag about the size of a make up bag or pencil case and I use that for all my lipglosses, gum packs, headphones, extra hair ties, and my favourite pen. This is your bathroom run in a bag, it is that quick concealer or comb for your hair. I know my essentials are in that small little bag. This bag has allI need for a freshen up. Secondly I have my latte run bag I keep this for that exactly so I can just grab that instead of my whole bag. Yes ladies, another a bag within a bag! This time I have a little change purse, a little notebook and pen and my car keys, I keep my keys especially in this one bag because otherwise they are everywhere!  I love this little trick as it makes having all you need with you, while keeping it together in compartments. Grab a clutch sized cloth bag with a zip like this tassel satchel and give it a whirl!
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Personally I use Mango and Moose’s Guatemala Tassel Satchel and slide that into my favourite Raw leather tote. In Mango and Moose’s Fall/ Winter collection they have this beautiful raw leather hide bag. It’s gorgeous and perfectly imperfect showcasing it’s little imperfections with class. As it wears it just get’s softer and better. Anyways, as a tote, so it has room for lots of stuff, but it needs some organization to make it practical.

These days with our wallets on our phones, and parking meters on apps, we don’t have much need for all the stuff we used to, but if you do need some things with you this is the way to go and keeps you from fishing in the ocean of a tote to get your most needed goods. So try it out grab your tote fill it up in an organized way and love your everyday.

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Taking a Stylish Weekend Away

Taking a Stylish Weekend Away

On a weekend away I bring only my favourites – the simplest go-to confidence inducing pieces. Inside my bag you’ll find plenty of neutrals, my best curve hugging jeans, my favourite trendy knit sweater or cardigan and I’m ready to go. The defining factors of my favourites are always CONFIDENCE AND COMFORT! I don’t want to spend time thinking about putting together the perfect outfit; I want to go and be free from the critical puzzle-piecing my brain does all week. Relax into my favourite picks.

My jewelry essentials are simple. I always throw in my gold bangle. It’s a sure way to dress up any black blouse. I prefer gold over silver, but everyone has their preference! Earrings? I like to bring my midnight sparkle studs, which I wear on most days because HELLO black and gold people!!! They are an obvious choice of chic and glam together. For me there is always time for a tasteful amount of sparkle.

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Clothing wise I always have my favourite jeans, a pair of Levi’s high-waisted dark wash, and pair of black denim. On top I always have a baggy white t-shirt that can be worn with jeans or leggings. I can dress up or down using my blushing tassel earrings or just studs and a jean jacket. I always like to have a black and white stripe with me, and a blouse for a night out. It’s easy to accessorize these neutral outfits, and I know I feel good and look good.  Add in my sparkle flats or mahogany booties, throw on a jean jacket and I’m ready to hit the town.

If I’m spending my weekend at the lake cabin, you’ll catch me wearing just leggings and an oversized plaid, which requires little to no packing – just pure pyjama bliss. More commonly on the weekends though, you’ll find me in the city with my fiancé exploring around town. By day find me cozied up in an eclectic coffee shop wearing my pom pom scarf. Bustling families walk by as we sip slow, quietly read, enjoy fresh baked goods and savour silent moments. Then at night you’ll see me style up for date night with my blushing tassel earrings and leather jacket.

A weekend away is what most of us need. Taking time to rest and explore new things is truly what living is all about. Make sure to take time for yourself instead of doing the 9 to 5 hustle till you drop. Pack that suitcase with your favourites, take a night out, try some new food, live your life authentically, and shop ethically to ensure you make a meaningful impactful.

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