Making Your Purpose Your Business, Step#1

By Heather J. Tait
Posted Monday, December 13, 2004

Step#1 Figure Out What You Want to Do

Ah yes the determination of motherhood! As I bring you my thoughts while breastfeeding my little one with one hand and typing with the other hand. I am a mom, a.k.a., doctor of boo-boos, entertainer, short-order cook, fashion consultant, confidant, physical fitness trainer, and professional baby packer. But I am also a wife, a professional artist, and an online business owner.

If you are a mom, I am sure you can relate to the various roles required of the position of being a “mom.” And if you are a stay-at-home mom, your roles and involvement are even more so a requirement. Not only do you have to take care of your little ones, but you also have to find time to take care of yourself. This is often easier said than done.

Regular personal maintenance and activities in my life have taken on a whole new meaning. It’s not just me going to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, cooking or cleaning. It’s joyfully me and my son. On top of taking care of myself, I am now responsible for someone else’s maintenance as well. All of these things combined can be challenging for a mom trying to balance family and a career.

Although being a wife and a mother are my first priority, I also try to make myself a priority as well. I know that when I maintain that which is important to me, I am then able to be an even better mother, an even better wife, and an even better person. I always think of the times I was traveling on an airplane. I would listen to the flight attendant give her instructions. The one set of instructions that repeats in my head even now is, and please excuse my paraphrasing, “in the unlikely event of an accident, if you are a woman with a child, place your oxygen mask on first.” How prophetic that statement truly is.

Taking care of ourselves does benefit those around us. I think for me personally I have to continue my personal aspirations and goals as they are essential to my well being. In my case, my passion is my art. Sure I have to do things differently, I can’t just sit down and paint or draw when I would like. I have to correlate my time in between my family time. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t work. But I do try to always make each moment I do get count. I may not paint or draw every day, but I do work on promoting my aspirations, making my purpose, my business.

To be honest, I have had far less time to work, but I have accomplished more, mainly because I am more focused and organized when I work. I make lists about every week or so about what I want to accomplish or what needs to be done. So when I get an hour to work, I can really concentrate on whatever matter needs my attention and therefore, be more productive.

I think the first step is to figure out where you want to go or what direction you want to take in your life. Then take the time to research… research…research. I can’t stress that enough. Go to the library or do a search online for the topic you are interested in pursuing. I personally like going online because I find accurate and up to date information quickly. And when you are on a time budget and on a mom schedule, it works out best. Library hours don’t always fit into “baby” hours.

I don’t believe in quick fixes or get-rich quick scams. I think finding and pursuing your dreams is something you need to be prepared to dedicate your time to, whatever time you may have. I believe it is worth it in the long run. It’s more important to sustain your own aspirations and support whatever longevity your ideas may have than to pursue someone else’s false hopes or promises.

Want a few hints on where to begin? Write it down, take a pen and paper and make a personal inventory of your ambitions or the things that you are good at and enjoy. What do you feel passion about? What would you want to do even if you didn’t get paid for it? Second of all, be honest with yourself. Don’t feel ashamed or guilty to recognize your talents… after all that’s what they are there for, to be recognized. It’s up to you to release them and share them with others. Make your purpose, your business.

About the Author
Artist and inspirational writer Heather J. Tait began her career as a professional artist back in 1997 in Morgan Hill, CA. Her style combines simplicity and complexity. She uses bold lines with the aid of her Sharpie Marker and completes the process with splashes of bright watercolors. You can view her work at Silence Speaks, (http://www.silencespeaks.com/)