How I Track Time for My Clients

I do some social media work for a few clients. I enjoy working with them and am considering expanding this side of my business.

One thing I have noticed is that often it’s hard for clients to understand exactly what I am doing. They paid me for ten hours of social media help but they don’t know what they purchased unless I tell them. At the end of the month, it’s hard to validate the money they’re paying since they aren’t sure what happened with it.

Here are some things I recommend to improve your time tracking for clients. These have all been very beneficial to helping my clients understand exactly what they get when they hire me.

Start with a Regular Report

Every week, I send a brief email to my client and let them know what I did. If you decide to do the same, don’t say something vague like, “I spent three hours on your social media.” That doesn’t give the client an idea of what you were doing.

Instead, provide relevant details. One recent report for a client included things like "one hour spent uploading 15 posts to your social media scheduler. Then I researched popular Pinterest group boards. I followed the rules of each board then pinned your latest blog post so you can get more Pinterest traffic. I also updated the branding for your Facebook fan page with the new logo we discussed.”

Measure Results

After you share what you did, include any metrics that might be helpful. For example, I wrote a new blog post that resulted in two big sales for the above client. I was sure to mention that in my week’s report.

Keep in mind that the results you measure should match the client’s goal. If the client’s goal is to become a social media influencer, then mention that their new video tweet got 103 RTs and 1.5K views on Instagram. If you’re not clear on what your client’s goal is, you need to talk with them. Figure out what it is they’re looking for and develop a strategy to help them achieve it.

Schedule a Review

As a service provider, you want to make sure that you’re spending your time on projects that matter to your client. It’s smart to request a 15-minute call every month. You and your client can use this time to review what you’ve been doing.

I prefer face-to-face time with some clients and so will schedule a monthly meeting. We might meet for lunch or coffee and then spend some time actually looking at their social media accounts and discussing what has been done and the results we are seeing.

This monthly review ensures that you and your client are working toward the same goal. Your client might see what you’re working on and say, “Yes, do more of that please!” or they might say, “No, I want to change direction on this project.”

Tracking Your Time is Good

It’s not just clients who benefit from your time tracking—you do, too! Even if you’re doing an unpaid internship or bartering with someone, track your time.

Plotting how long it took you to complete a task can be helpful so you know how much time to budget for future projects. For example, I write fairly quickly and was only budgeting 30 minutes to write a blog post. But that is for my own topics. I discovered that when I am trying to write for a client it often takes longer. Once I realized this, I began to block off a full 60 minutes so I can write without feeling rushed or frazzled.

Take my advice. Email your clients a weekly report. Your clients will appreciate it and and you should start getting more repeat jobs. And this will enable you to spend less time marketing your business and more time doing what you love — serving your clients.

It's New! It's Sexy! And I Want It!

That was me back in the day.

Every time I saw something new, hot, sexy that promised instant results, I was in. It didn't matter whether it was something that was going to make me rich or something that was going to help me lose weight. If it promised to work FOR me with little or no work FROM me, I wanted it.

Network marketing training
Real Estate Wealth
How to courses on teleseminars, recruiting, prospecting, blogging, and every other money-making scheme out there.
Books and CDs and programs all "guaranteed" to help me get rich - QUICK!

Weight Watchers
Jenny Craig
Pills and powders and gadgets galore all "guaranteed" to help me lose weight.

Want to know what that got me? Debt. Lots of it. Even though I had a $62,000 a year job at the time, I was still broke. And fat. Almost 300 pounds fat.

It got to the point that debt collectors were threatening to sue me. I could hardly walk because of the pain in my hips and knees from all the weight.

When my husband finally threatened to stop helping me pay my debts...

When I couldn't climb the stairs in my own home anymore without being completely out of breath...

That's when I knew something had to change.

Fortunately, that was also the time some life changes made it crucial that I figure all this out and quickly.

There is a saying - When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I believe that wholeheartedly. Because that is also when I was introduced to some entirely new concepts.

Law of attraction
Gratitude
Prosperity consciousness

And that is when I discovered that hot, new, and sexy may sell short term, but real wealth and true success comes from some time honored success principles. Study. Knowledge. Value. Giving.

As I began to understand these concepts, I was fortunate to be able to study with some of the most successful marketers out there. Because I quickly came to understand that the definition of sexy will will ALWAYS change…and therefore leave those that use “sexy” as their attractor factor high and dry pretty darn quickly.

And sooner or later, word will get out that your "instant" method isn't so instant, and sales will begin to drop. People will learn that you really have nothing of value to offer them and so they will leave, looking for the next hot, new, sexy tool for instant success.

But prosperity principles are timeless. They are they key to lasting success.

The crazy part is that learning these principles was in fact the laziest and quickest thing I could have done as now money is no longer an issue and it is almost effortless to produce. It’s actually FUN! Kind of a GAME.

True prosperity is moving into PASSION where you spend your days doing what you LOVE and income streams towards you from all angles.

True prosperity is when you can see income opportunities all around you that you could never see before. That is why so many successful people have multiple streams of income. (Hmmm...where have you heard that before?). This is why most of the GURU types end up in so many arenas…they can see money everywhere.

This is why we see those that study the prosperity principles and attraction marketing constantly attract all the best partners and venues for income production where so many others STRUGGLE or have one success and then fade from the forefront.

People will always be attracted to hot, new, and sexy. Nothing can stop that. And it used to get me very frustrated to see so many good people fall for things that I knew would be gone in a short period of time. But now I accept what will never change.

But fortunately for me, with age has come wisdom. That is often the case. We see it time and time again.

Who a man wants to date and who a man wants to marry are often very different women. Where a new marketer wants to begin his career and where he wants to build his lasting legacy are often two very different things as well.

And so I now look for MATURE people who can see just how darn hot, new, and sexy what I have to offer is.

Because FREEDOM is always hot and sexy. It’s just the definitions that change.

For some it may be the huge house and fancy car. For others it may be the small country house with land for kids and grandkids to run and play on. It may be the ability to actually run and play with them.

It may be the freedom to spend your days as you see fit instead of following someone else's plan for your time.

Or knowing that your retirement years will be comfortable and debt-free.

Or being able to simply climb the stairs of your home and not be out of breath.

It may be about freedom of being whatever you want to be and financial freedom and self sufficiency. Those things are VERY hot and sexy.

And they all start with your thoughts. Thoughts of prosperity. Of gratitude. Of service.

Success really is all in your mindset.

The Art of Mastering New Tech

We all know that I am not "techy". In fact, I admit to being very technology-challenged. So for me to write an article on technology might seem funny to some. But that's exactly the point. I have embraced technology. Couldn't run my business without it! And if I can do it, you can too - and you should. You just need to know how to do it effectively!

Don't Get Caught Up in Shiny Object Syndrome

For years, I've been using MLSP, a platform that allows me to easily build sales funnels, lead magnets, and training courses. I love the platform and what it does.




Recently, a client asked, “Why are you still part of MLSP when there are so many newer tools available now?”




There’s a reason I chose to stay with MLSP and that’s the stability of their service. They’ve made a commitment to continuously improve their software. They’re consistently adding cool, new features to make my marketing more effective.




The support is fantastic. I could move to another tool and cut a monthly expense but because of my membership with MLSP, I get access to top-notch training any time. I can attend the Wednesday webinar, reach out to support, or even post a question in the Facebook group to get expert advice.




I believe technology can do many good things for your business. But it’s easy to get trapped in a cycle of always seeking the next best thing. You’re constantly tinkering with your software, moving between different platforms, or searching for the perfect tool.

New Tech Can Result in Lost Sales

While it can be tempting to jump on the latest shiny tool, it’s easy to lose sales without realizing it. That’s because while you’re busy tinkering with new tech or testing out the latest software, you aren’t running your business.




Meanwhile an entrepreneur who is committed to the tools she’s using is experiencing growth in her business. She’s selling products. She’s growing her email list. She’s networking with other industry leaders.

 

New Tech Requires Transferring

Many times, opting for new software or buying a new product results in extra work for you. For example, if you’re constantly searching for the best hosting deal, you may move your WordPress website from one host to the next. The problem is that this keeps you from making progress in other areas of your business.




Sometimes, it’s not about transferring as much as set-up. Yes, you could buy that new video software. But how many hours will it take for you to set it up? How long will it take to install? Will you need to update other software in order for it to work with your computer?

New Tech Can Distract You from the Real Work

For some online business owners, new tech is about avoiding another area of business. If you don’t feel confident about your product, you might create a mailing list with AWeber then transfer to Drip two weeks later. You keep moving from service to service, so you don’t have to launch your product.




But working through your fears so you can launch is a much better choice. You may still feel nervous and it may be difficult, but your business will be better for it.

Distracting yourself with new tech can be tempting but it’s not going to help your business long-term. You need to focus on what really matters—building your community and selling your products.

Give Yourself Time to Learn New Tech

My friend Jen wanted to use videos to market her new coaching business. She planned to create videos that she could upload as social media advertisements in order to attract her ideal clients.



She discovered Wave Video and used that for a couple of days. Then a video expert she followed recommended a different service, so she canceled her Wave Video subscription and tried out the other program.



The next week, a friend recommended Animoto and she signed up for that, too. By this point, Jen felt overwhelmed by all the tools she had. She didn’t know what to do next and she was frustrated.



When Jen asked me for advice, I admitted that video is not my strongest skill. I suggested that she pick one tool to focus on. Sometimes, the problem with using several different tools is that you don’t take the time to fully learn how to use any of them.



If you’re like Jen and you have a lot of tools that do similar things, it’s time to choose one and learn how to use it correctly. Use these tips to guide you…

Find a Resource

Some companies do regular webinars where they teach new customers everything they need to know about their product. If you have the chance, attending a live webinar is a great idea. Not only will you learn more about the product, you’ll also have the chance to ask questions and get more detailed support.



Not every company provides training for their products. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no resource guide. You may still be able to find helpful tutorials by looking on Amazon. Go to the books section and enter the software you’re using. If there are books on the subject, they should appear in the results.

Hire a Virtual Assistant

Another option to master your tech tools is to hire a virtual assistant. Choose someone who specializes in your particular area. For example, if you want to master a mailing list tool, then find a VA who specializes in email marketing. She’s likely to be more knowledgeable than a general virtual assistant.



Ask the VA you hire to perform a few tasks for you and use screenshot software to record her work. For example, send a VA the newsletter you want added to AWeber. When she records her actions, you’ll be able to see step-by-step how to use the new software.

Reach Out to Your Community

You can also reach out to your business community for guidance. If you belong to a Facebook group or LinkedIn group where members are known to be helpful, make a post about the software you’re using and what you’d like to learn to do.



You may find a virtual assistant or a software expert that you can hire. You may also have another entrepreneur who volunteers to assist you. If that happens, try to barter with someone who is need of your skills, too. For example, if another member is willing to guide you through graphic design software, you could offer to write the copy for her sales page.



When it comes to new tech, don’t rush out and buy the latest tools. Instead, spend time learning how to use what you already have. Not only will you save money, you’ll also be more knowledgeable about the software you own.

Why Do You Keep Getting Swept Up in the Latest Launch?

Danni spent eighteen months learning to become a certified life coach. She already knew her ideal clients were women in their forties going through a divorce. She had a WordPress website set up and she’d hired a business manager to help her stay on track.



But she kept re-working her branding. One week she used Canva to create a beautiful logo in bright purple. The next week, she’d decided to try Adobe Spark and she changed her logo font and the colors. After that, she switched to PicMonkey where she redesigned her brand colors to be bright red.



Finally, Danni’s business manager arranged a call. As Danni talked with the other woman, she had an epiphany – she was using her branding work and the graphic design tools to put off her launch.



It’s easy to get caught up in finding the perfect tool rather than launching your services or products. If you find yourself in a situation like Danni’s, here are a few reasons you might be putting off your launch…

Fear of Failure

Once you publish your services package or upload your book to Amazon Kindle, it’s hard to take it back. It’s out there and you may feel nervous, excited, and scared all at the same time.



If failure’s what you’re afraid of, don’t try to avoid this fear. Instead sit with it for a few minutes. Ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that will happen if I fail?”



Your answer might be, “Well, if my book doesn’t sell any copies, my writing dreams will be over.”



When you get to the root of your fear, consider whether your fear is really telling the truth. For example, your writing career won’t be over if your book doesn’t sell. You can still publish more books. Remind yourself of this truth when you’re tempted to put off your new book launch.

Procrastination

Another reason you may be hesitant to pull the trigger on your new launch is because you’re procrastinating. On the surface, procrastination may not look that bad. After all, you might tell yourself that you’re just getting one more certification or finalizing the details.



But be honest with yourself. If you’ve been finalizing your launch for six months or pursuing more certification when you already hold two dozen certificates, you’re procrastinating.



One of the simplest ways to end procrastination is to announce a public deadline. Tell your friends, your family, and your business group that you’re launching on June 1st or whatever date you prefer. Knowing that your friends and colleagues are waiting on your launch can motivate you to get it done. A public deadline encourages accountability.

Lack of Confidence

Sometimes, getting swept up in the latest tools happens because you lack the confidence to move forward. You keep thinking that confidence will come once you’ve mastered a new tool or have the best software available.



Confidence comes after you launch, not before it. That means, you have to be willing to do it afraid. You’re going to feel nervous and that’s natural. But don’t let a lack of confidence keep you from pursuing your dream. Stop paying attention to the latest new tools. Instead, focus on launching your product or your services so you can grow your business. You’ll be happier and more confident after your launch!

4 Questions to Ask before You Say Yes to New Tools

Sometimes in the excitement of a new launch or the rush of discovering cool software, it’s easy to rush ahead. But before you click that buy button, it can be helpful to take a step back and ask yourself a few questions. These questions are designed to help you decide if a new tool or the latest software is the right fit for you…

Who Is Promoting This New Tool?

There's always another bright, shiny tool. The people talking about these products are affiliates and it’s in their interest to promote it. That’s not to suggest that there's anything wrong with affiliate marketing. It's one of my main income streams!



But keep in mind that it's in your best interest to stay focused on the tools you already have. It’s easy to get caught up in moving from one tool to the next. But while you’re busy chasing new things and mastering the latest software, another entrepreneur is growing her mailing list. She’s selling her products and enjoying the profits.

How Much Time Will You Need to Invest in Learning?

In The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, he shares that there are four zones in life. These four zones include:



· The Zone of Incompetence



· The Zone of Competence



· The Zone of Excellence



· The Zone of Genius



The Zone of Incompetence is for tasks that bog you down. You’re not skilled at them and they take a long time to complete.



Every time you tackle new tech, you're volunteering to spend time in the Zone of Incompetence. The time you spend in this zone when you're a new entrepreneur is acceptable.



But when you've been sitting in the same zone for years, there's a problem. You've been hiding out and holding onto excuses. There comes a point in every entrepreneur's journey when they need to stop living in the Zone of Incompetence.

Will 10 Hours Make a Difference?

If you only had 10 hours available in the next two days and you knew you could use those 10 hours to leverage your existing tools and make a nice profit, then do it.



But if you look at it and say 10 hours invested in new tools will make a difference in your long-term profits, then making the switch might be the next best move for your business. If you don't know if switching will make a difference, then don't make the move. Instead, focus on building your business with the tools you already have on-hand.

Is Your Old Tool Still Serving You?

When I moved from SBI to AWeber, I did it because the SBI mailing list service was no longer a good fit for my business. I could clearly see that investing 10 hours in making the switch would boost my long-term profits.



Likewise, there may come a day when you wake up and realize your tech needs to go. Be honest with yourself about that.




There’s a difference between buying dozens of bright, shiny objects and making smart timely decisions about the tech that you're using. Knowing the difference between the two is important.





Keep in mind that this is not about being anti-tech or even anti-new tools. It’s not about making you frown on new things or doubt the people who recommend cool products to you. Rather, the goal here is for you to realize that you cannot chase new tech forever.



If you’ve been shifting to new tools more than once a year, you’re doing it too often. Be patient and give yourself time to learn about the tools you already have, rather than buying new ones.

How to Be Choosy about New Tech

You’re making good progress on a big project when suddenly your inbox dings a notification that you have a new message. You stop what you’re doing and pause to read it. A fellow business owner has written a glowing review of a new tech tool.



You click through her link and begin reading about it. There’s the promise of a free trial, so you sign up and spend the afternoon experimenting. Pretty soon, you’re wondering if you should buy this software. And you've completely lost the momentum you had going on your project...



If you’ve found yourself debating a new business purchase, here are a few tips to help you think it through…

Challenge Yourself to Wait

Many affiliates and software creators use urgency to encourage visitors to click the buy button the moment they see it. While there’s nothing wrong with using urgency to prompt your community to take action, you have to understand that sometimes, the urgency is false.



For example, one well-known software creator has a countdown timer on his sales page. His “deal of a lifetime” expires in two days. But if you revisit the page on day 3, you’ll discover the countdown timer has been reset.



When you’re deliberating a decision about software, try to delay it by a week. See if you still feel that same sense of urgency after a few days have passed. If not, then you can safely skip the purchase.

Set Aside Time to Review It

It’s easy to get swept up in the urgency of the sales page or a shiny, new launch price. This causes many entrepreneurs to buy software that doesn’t fit their needs. By the time you realize the tool isn’t right for you, the refund period has ended.



Instead of buying a product blindly, plan to review the sales page in-depth. One entrepreneur puts a star beside messages with tools he may want to use. On Saturday afternoons, he carefully reads the sales page for the items that caught his eye that week. This gives him the space to make a calm, logical decision.

Put It on Your Long-Term List

Sometimes, you’ll see a product and know that while it would be a good fit for you, the timing is off. Perhaps you found video software that will let you make social media advertisements but you’re in the middle of lengthy copywriting course. You don’t want to lose the link to the video software but you also know you can’t afford to split your focus.



If this happens to you, create a long-term list that you review once every 3-6 months. This list could have links to products you’re interested in, notes about future goals, and other business opportunities.

Ask a Mentor

Another option when you encounter a new object is to talk with a business owner with more experience. Often, a mentor or coach can help you see through the hype and urgency so you can make the best decision for your business.



Your coach might say, “What about your goal to improve your copywriting? Does this video software bring you closer to reaching it?” Or she might say, “Yes! That would be a great tool since one of your goals for this year was to focus on video marketing!”

Don’t feel pressured into making a rush decision. Even if you have to pay a little extra, it’s worth it to know that you made a purchase that was in line with your goals.

Still a bit unsure about all the new tech? Join the Ninja Marketers FB Group. We regularly share the scoop on the newest software, apps, and gadgets. And the best part is - if I recommend it, you know I have tried it and it works!

Cleaning House, Making Changes, Being Adaptable - The Secret to My Success!

I know - once again it's been too long since I've posted.  That's why it's time for some changes.  I simply cannot keep up! Too many blogs!

You know me.  I learned about the power of blogging.   So if one blog is good, two would be great.  Right?  And four would be AMAZING!


And more than that would be - uncontrollable!

So it's time to admit that.  Time to take control BACK!!

I'm starting by cleaning house. Discontinuing blogs that no one is interacting with..


(So if you want to keep reading, you'd better start interacting! A simple comment now and then will do.)


Much easier for me to manage!  You might even get regular posts once again!

Making changes and being adaptable is part of being in business.  If you can't adapt and change as necessary, you won't survive very long...


And I have been around a long time!


So I'm off to tackle this. Time to declutter my life!  But one thing I did find time for...


The 30 Day Marketing Intensive

30 days of training and action steps designed to help you finish 2019 with more....

More leads, more sales, more team members....

There have been so many changes with Facebook lately. And more are coming. If you are solely dependent on Facebook as your marketing tool, you could be struggling. Which is why we cover so much more...and all in 30 days!  So don't miss out on your chance to really sharpen your marketing skills.
Click here to join us!

Thanks to all of my loyal readers who have patiently stuck by me. You ROCK!


I will do better!  I promise!

30 Day Intensive Starts Soon

Happy "It's Finally Really Fall"!

I was planning to work out on my porch with my lap top today.  It's been a bit nippy but I like it.  But it has suddenly turned downright COLD!  And it's raining!  So I'm settling for looking out my office window at the rain coming down.  Enjoying some coffee and snacks.  Doing a few odds and ends.

The reality is that I actually LOVE what I do so much it never feels like work.  I thought making videos outside might be a fun change.  The rain had other plans.  So instead I decided to take a break today.  We all need a break every now and then. 

But it has been a while since I've posted here.  I've been so busy putting my new website together, cleaning up recent storm damage, grieving for my cat (follow me on Facebook if you want the details on that horrible story!)/  And I guess time just got away from me.

Anyways.. I wanted to let you know that while I am goofing off today I will be putting together the details of the 30 Day Intensive program I have coming up for folks so stay tuned to this blog.

If you really want to have a successful business... NOW is the best time of the year to get to work and I will be showing you exactly why and how.  Lots of home business owners take off during the winter, especially as we approach the holiday season.  So if you put in some hard work now, you will be way ahead of everyone else at the start of 2020.  And I promise, it will not interfere with your holiday fun!

So enjoy your day and then GET READY to work and you'll be VERY HAPPY you did.

Details out tonight or tomorrow so hang tight and check back here in the next couple of days.

We live in a land of opportunity.  Let's face it...people died so that we would have the RIGHT to own businesses and be CAPITALISTS..

Isn't it time for YOU to get your piece of the pie?

Create the Life You Crave

If you've read my story then you know I have often been faced with some tough circumstances...a divorce, a seriously ill child, unexpectedly caring for an aging parent, loss of my business, cancer. At each of these moments I could have made the decision to just throw in the towel and quit. But momma didn't raise a quitter! I made the choice to battle on. Sometimes that involved making drastic changes. Sometimes it was just a matter of changing mindset. But every time it involved making the decision to not get stuck!

It’s easy to get stuck in one place—maybe you’re stuck in a job you hate or a relationship that’s keeping you from growing. Although it won’t be easy, you can create the life you crave. Here are a few key ways to do that…

Own Your Intention

Just saying you’d like to do something different or wishing for your life to change isn’t enough. If you truly want your life to look different, you have to be specific and own your intention. For example, you could say, “I want to move to Texas next year” or “I want to start my own business in six months”.

Once you’re clear on what you desire, you can begin working toward it. Many people explain that “things just fell into place” once they knew what they wanted. That’s because the energy of your desire attracts what you need to fulfill it.

Set Small Goals

With your intention clarified, it’s time to begin setting goals. It’s smart to keep these goals small and easily achievable. When I moved my dad to Arkansas, the first thing I did was clean out his apartment.  

It’s OK if your goals seem very tiny at this stage. Remember, each step is feeding into your larger goal. By creating a string of tiny goals, you’re setting yourself up for easy victories. As you accomplish more, you’ll start to gain momentum and before you know it, you’ll have achieved your big goal.

Operate from Power

When you set a goal, you will encounter obstacles and setbacks. I was in the middle of finals week in college when I learned I had cancer. So I re-adjusted my plan to focus on my treatment and recovery and made arrangements to write papers from home while recovering as my final exams for classes where this was possible.

The important thing when you face these setbacks and obstacles is that you operate from a place of power. It’s easy to let things throw you off track and become a victim. For example, you might say, “I can never start an online business because I never have the money” or “I can’t move because my family isn’t supportive”.

Instead, shift your thinking and focus on how you can overcome what’s holding you back. You might say, “Hmm, I can babysit a friend’s children for $20 tonight and have the money to buy my domain name” or “I can begin researching the safest neighborhoods in my new city to comfort my family and bring them on board”.

Read Inspiring Books

While you’re in the middle of making big changes in your life, it can be helpful to read content that encourages and motivates you. A wonderful book that you might find eye-opening in 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.

One book that can help you hang on during the difficult moments of a life change is Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. When you’re in need of a quick pep talk, read for You Are A Badass®: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.

 

You can create the life you crave at any moment you choose. State what you want, own your power, and step into all of the amazing things God has in store for you!

Forging a New Path (When You Can't See the Old One)

I was living my dream.  We are family that serves so I had followed the path and was currently on active duty with the Navy.  We were stationed in Hawaii - paradise!  I was married to a fellow member of the military.  Granted he was a Marine, but I loved him anyway!  We had two great kids.  We spent our off duty time going to the beach and basically just enjoying the island lifestyle.

But three years into our tour in Hawaii, I discovered some secrets about my marriage.  It wasn't quite as perfect as I had thought.  I am not going to go into details here.  But I was devastated.

In the coming months, I lost everything I had loved.  My husband through the divorce.  My stepdaughter who left with her father.  We sent our kids to private schools and excellent daycare because of our dual incomes.  Now I was struggling to afford just basic necessities.  (In divorce, the 2nd income leaves.  The bills often don't).  My own daughter became seriously ill and I was overwhelmed with trying to care for her and still work.  I didn't get a promotion I should have because I was so tired and stressed that I just couldn't get it together to study for the advancement exam.  I was basically looking at life from a whole new perspective...starting over.

Maybe you’ve found yourself in my shoes. You’ve lost everything and you have no choice but to rebuild your entire life. But you’re not sure what that process should look like exactly.

Let Go

Start by letting go. Think about the things that are no longer serving you.  I had spent years devoted to my husband and family only to lose half of them.  For a long time, I could only focus on what I’d had.

A friend encouraged me to stop looking backward. You can’t move forward in your car if the gear is stuck in reverse.   Terrible things happen to everyone. You don’t get a choice in that. What you do get to decide is what gear you’ll put your life in.

Create New Traditions

Sometimes, the hardest part of starting over is letting go of habits that we loved. We were financially set and so the girls and I could afford to go shopping for new clothes once a week. Now we couldn't afford that.  We had many friends in common and went to Sunday brunch or weekend dinners.  Now many of them felt like they had to choose sides.

When you’re forced to start over, missing these traditions is painful. But don’t get caught up in sitting around wishing for how things were. Create new traditions that honor what your life looks like now. For example, you could invite your closest friends over on Sundays for game day or spend the time you use to go shopping to refashion old items in your closet.

Design Your Vision

When you’re forging a new path in live, it’s easy to get focused on what you don’t want. For example, if you’re leaving a bad marriage, you may swear off romantic relationships or a certain city.

While these blanket statements may make you feel good, they don’t help you create more of what you want in your life. This is where a vision board can be helpful. You can use one to create a positive image of the new life you’re looking to make.

The vision board you make can be physical—you can grab magazines, books, and other old media to create yours. But a vision board can also be digital and you can use a website like Dream It Alive or Vision Board to design yours.

Rebuilding your life after adversity isn’t easy. But you have the smarts (and the power!) to do it. Embrace this season of rebirth in your life!