Written by: Elena Herrera, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
If somebody told me that I would be running my own business while managing a household, raising a child, and maintaining a connection with my husband, I would not have believed it.
As a woman raised in a very traditional family and culture, I was taught to believe that my purpose in life was to get an education, get married, and raise kids. I had no business running a business! That was supposed to be the husband’s responsibility!
For many years, I concentrated on building my life on that belief. Finding a husband to create a family with was my focal point.
But then came a period in my life when I could no longer deny my longing for something deeper, bigger, and more meaningful. I wanted to do more than raise kids and be a wife… I’m sure if you’re reading this, you understand.
Having kids and family can never substitute for our own individual purpose, creativity, and uniqueness that are meant to be expressed in life.
We should have it ALL and not have to choose one over the other!
Years of inner-work, reflecting, discovering, transforming, and embodying, finally led me to clarify what exactly I was yearning and meant to do… Help women reconnect to their own inner source of power to radiate their beauty confidently into the world!
So, here I am today, a MOMPRENEUR, actively balancing my mommy duties, household, and coaching practice. And it comes with a whole new set of struggles!
But you can learn from these struggles by connecting deeper to yourself to create more balance and harmony in your life.
Here are the top 3 MOMPRENEUR struggles and the lessons they are teaching us.
Struggle No.1 Mom’s Guilt
As a mom with a desire to work, I feel guilty about…
• Ignoring my kids when working on my business
• Being too tired to give quality attention to my family after working
• Using screen time as a babysitter to get things done
• Taking any time just for myself – to be alone, get pampered, or to rest
• Even considering pursuing other passions outside of being the “perfect mom.”
In my coaching practice and my own life as a mother, I see “mom guilt” as an extremely common phenomenon. The pressure to be a “perfect mom” while running a business triggers anxiety and low self-esteem in many women who are doing their best to juggle work and home responsibilities.
This guilt can be so strong that it might prevent moms from starting their own business, give up on their passion or sabotage the potential success - mommy guilt is a daily battle, and it’s not easily won.
Flip the switch on guilt by becoming aware of it, accepting it, then choosing to challenge and eliminate the negative, limiting beliefs.
Reflect on what you are already doing, contributing, and how your loved ones benefit from it. Doing so will help you see your own value and realize you are already a great mom. You will shift from guilt to feelings of self-worth and acceptance – that you are truly enough.
Struggle No.2 Self-Doubt
As a mom, I want to pursue my passions and interests, BUT…
• I don’t have what it takes to make it happen
• It’s too late for me to start something new in life
• I don’t have the time, energy, or desire these days
As moms, we often tend to downplay our efforts and don’t own our achievements. We don’t want to be perceived as arrogant or selfish, so we are afraid of claiming our own expertise.
This can lead to being underpaid and not advancing in careers – or preventing new ventures from ever beginning!
Mothers actually make fantastic business owners. Years of patience, persistence, and multi-tasking give moms the ability to make the most of every spare minute. These are excellent traits for a successful business person.
A great way to shift out of self-doubt is to ask others to reflect your qualities back to you to begin to hear those sentiments and own them – this will help those attributes become more real.
Don’t allow self-doubt to stop you from taking action, turning your passion into a business or any other venture! Get crystal clear on what you desire and make it your priority. Honor and treat it with the same respect and importance as you treat your kids, family, and life.
Struggle No.3 Time
In addition to my mom's duties, how will I find the time for…
• Nurturing my business
• Networking and creating content
• Posting for my business on social media
• Learning new skills to grow and advance
Working to cultivate your own business or side hustle is a time and energy-intensive process. The lack of time might prevent moms from starting their own business, give up on their business, or sabotage the potential success. This can lead to suppressed desires and a lackluster view of life.
Planning is the key to making it happen:
• Write down your to-do list to get it out of your head.
• Prioritize your tasks based on how much time each will take – complete the quicker ones first so you can check them off your list.
• Determine how much time each task will take and allocate the time in a calendar to feel more tangible.
• If you’re working from home, ensure you set strong boundaries – working hours, quiet space – so you can be efficient and stay on task instead of being pulled into household distractions. • Learn to say “No” – It will help you stay focused on what you value the most.
Learning how to prioritize your time will make you more efficient each day. You’ll be surprised how much more time you can allocate to your business!
We don't have to allow these 3 struggles to define and control our experiences!
Permit yourself to be more than just a mom – pursue your passions and interests as an empowered individual. Focus on what you are great at and what makes you happy, and your life will become lighter and more positive!
Struggles are not bad.
They are just natural parts of life.
Instead of being stuck in them, you can learn how to move through them with ease and flow - walking away with clarity, wisdom, and confidence.
This is what I teach in my custom The Radiant Power of a Balanced Woman program. I truly believe you don't have to sacrifice anything anymore. You can have it all in balance.
If you resonate with my message in this article, please fill out a questionnaire on my website to see how I can support you in your specific issues you are struggling with.
Elena Herrera, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
My personal story of transformation took my life from “unconscious” to “connected and meaningful.” Applying the same tools and modalities I teach today, plus my gift of intuition, I grew from a personal trainer to a full-blown Intuitive Transformational Coach who helps dozens of people to live a life of self-awareness, radiance, and fulfillment.
