One of the most common phrases said to me is: “I do not know how you do it all.”
And probably the most common question asked of me as a mom-preneur is, “How do you do it all?”
Here is my quick and easy answer. I don’t do it all.
I do the important things well. I make products. I write and publish books—12 of them so far! I work as a formulator for my company Ology Essentials and run Ology Essentials Institute. I am a hands on mom. I educated my children through a combination of private school and homeschool. And I am 100% behind my girls serious commitment to dancing.
BUT. . .
I am not a good housekeeper. The dust bunnies in my house could organize and overthrow my home on occasion. I build large mounds of clean laundry I dub Mount Clean Laundry. In the kitchen the sink acts as a divider between Mount Dirty Dishes and Mount Clean Dishes. My cats are unruly, my dog is too lazy to go on walks, my car is a mess, and the weeds overtook my garden so much that I’ve given up on gardening.
I don’t do it all. I do what is important to me.
Here is my photo essay of tips on how to build an empire, write a book or follow your dreams.
Turn off the TV! I literally had to turn on the TV to stage this picture.
Log out of social media while you are working. Do not split your attention.
There is a time for dishes and a time to work. Starve your distractions!
The road to success is paved with unfolded laundry . . . or something like that.
Sometimes your hobby has to suffer for the good of your business.
If you want to be a writer – write. If you want to build an empire – build. If you want to chase your dreams – tune out distractions.
Focus on the future and don’t let the small stuff trip you up along the way.
I never comment on sites, but had to do so tonight. Three months ago I discovered essential oils and have been doing a lot of research about the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of using them. I have fallen in love with the oils, having used several to successfully help with personal issues.
I have been told about using them in my water but have not done so and was researching that subject tonight, which led me to your article Warning about YL and DoTerra distributors pushing this aspect and using oils Neat.
This led me to purchasing your book The Art & Science of Aromatherapy and then discovering your book about self publishing. So I bought that one too because I have a book in my head and am close to finally getting ready to sit down and put pen to paper write it. It will be my first, but hopefully not my last. I had already thought about self publishing so the title caught my eye.
Then I read your post on How to Build an Empire, Write a Book or Follow Your Dreams. I to have Mount Clean Laundry, Mount Clean Dishes along the the Mount Dirty versions, 2 unruly cats and a 5 month old German Shepherd puppy who is not getting the training he needs because I don’t do it all either. You made me laugh tonight and see that I am I don’t have to do it all. I can do what is important to me and the heck with the weeds in the back yard. I wanted to thank you for that and let you know that I look forward to (1) reading the two books I ordered (you could become an expensive habit) and (2) putting pen to paper and get this book out of my head. Thanks – Have a Dynamic Day! Gypsy
Thanks for this post Kayla! I get tired of hearing about how, as women, we can “do it all” if we just have enough focus and will….Actually, I think we CAN do it all, just not all at the same time ; ) I think your advice to focus on what is really important to you is right on target.
And this is why we love you, Kayla. Xoxo
All the important bits… no wonder women don’t rule, they’re busy with Mount Folding Laundry.
🙂
I think, when someone (even me) asks, “How do you do it all?” We really mean, “how do you get things done AND watch Netflix all day?” and that’s where prioritizing comes in. I love those honest, down to earth shots of your untamed garden and piling dishes – and I’m about to click “logout” on Facebook for the first time in a year. Thanks for your inspiration!
Lol! I don’t even have a Netflix account. There is a similar pile of dirty and clean dishes in my kitchen right now and Mount Clean Laundry is growing today.