Just wanted to sharing an amazing post from Wendy Piersall, former eMom, now CEO of Sparkplugging, on "What do American Idol & the Butterfly Effect Have to do With Your Destiny?"  Wendy does an amazing job of analyzing the subtle differences between those who are talented and moderately successful, and those who crack through to the top — it's not just based on being the best, but on a mental change …

And I realized that even now, when someone gives me a compliment, or acknowledges what I have accomplished, I still squirm a little and will even sometimes downplay it.  Tiny, self-depreciating indications that I haven’t quite owned my own truth - that I am here to change lives. End of sentence. No explanations, no justifications.

Are you still playing small? 

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About 6 months ago I started journaling again. From when I got a bit an agist at age 10 all the way throughout law school, I always kept a diary/ journal to complain about life, discuss my heartaches, and brainstorm ideas for the future.

When I moved in with my husband I stopped journaling. Why? I think I was scared he would read it. As if a man would really want to read the ramblings of the inner workings of my woman brain … only a fellow chick would be noisy/curious about a journal. And for those of you who know Mark, he's such a Mr. Integrity he would never violate my confidence. What a nut I am.

Anyway, while reading my friend Sandy Grason's book, Journalution, I started journaling again. Bought an adorable lime green journal, and wrote in it with an archive-quality black pen whenever the idea took me — both for serious journaling and just for notes about ideas for my business. Recently I wrote an entry in response to the following "prompt" from Sandy's book — "describe your perfect day."  More on Revelation! No More Waiting; Live the Vision Today

Last week I was in Las Vegas for my Mastermind Meeting (through Alexandria Brown) — a transformational time both personally and for my business (oh, and I also did a bit of partying, ask me about the pole dancing story …). 

But as I was reflecting on my business strategy, I got to thinking about this blog.  Chronicles of a Mompreneur was originally designed as a sort-of-personal blog, sharing my adventures as a mom business owner.  But somewhere along the way I stopped posting about my personal adventure, and just wrote articles and tips about internet marketing and business strategy.  More on Back to Basics - What is this blog anyway?

As a mompreneur, I'm constantly engaging in the failing strategy of multi-tasking. Responding to emails while helping my daughter with a puzzle and answering a question from my husband. And then a twitter direct message pops up. And the UPS guy rings the doorbell. And the cat jumps up to knock over a drink on the table. Then the phone rings — it's my mom who wants to talk about my sister's upcoming wedding in September.

How is it possible to get work done in this environment? How can we be productive … when we're working at home, running a household, and taking care of our kids? Here are a few tips: More on Is Distraction Inevitable? 6 Tips to Get It Done

If you've read the blog for a while, you know I'm constantly advising you to delegate more, using the power of leverage — but don't necessarily hire an employee; instead hire an independent contractor "Virtual Assistant."

A true Virtual Assistant owns her (or his, but I'm using her to be pithy) own business & has multiple clients — which lets you avoid dealing with employee tax or other employee admin issues. Yes, they cost a bit more than some kid from the local college, but this makes sense — you are saving money by no employee taxes, admin, or benefits costs — and a VA is theoretically more experienced/skilled.

But working effectively with a Virtual Assistant does not start when you sign the contract. You have to figure out which tasks, or even better, which roles, to delegate to your new staff. Can't tell you how many times I've heard a solo-entrepreneur tell me they hired a VA on retainer but have not yet given them anything to do (for months!).

To give you some ideas, below are some of the tasks/roles delegated to my two primary Virtual Assistants: More on What Do Virtual Assistants Do, Anyway?

Episode 7 of Chronicles of a Mompreneur Video Show is the first in a series titled "Everything I know about business learned from my 3 year old daughter."  This episode is titled "Be Willing to Walk."

Have something on your to-do list that you've been procrastinating forever?  Maybe your bookkeeping or taxes, or your desk organization, writing your book, cleaning up your kid's toys, writing new copy for your website, or finishing up a client project? 

Here's the secret — instead of working on your big project or task, just do it for 15 minutes.  More on You Can Do Anything in Just 15 Minutes

Chronicles of a Mompreneur Video, Episode 5: The Vomit Factor, or How to Lead a Life Extraordinary

"Here's what I've learned about the difference between the rich & famous, and all of the rest of us …"

This book is not about dating or your relationship with your significant other — actually, that's just the fun & sexy title to get you to read the book.  Really, Marie Forleo's book, "Make Every Man Want You (or Make Yours Want You More):  How to Be So Damn Irresistible You'll Barely Keep From Dating Yourself!" is a self-improvement book about how to clean up your junk & enjoy your life, regardless of who else is living it with you.  The idea is that once you love your life & are enjoying yourself, everyone (including potential mates, clients, friends) will find you irresistible.

I would have never picked this book up (since I'm married) except that Marie and I are in a mastermind group together.  But I am SO GLAD that I bought and read her book, because I immediately put into practice & changed some little but major things in my life that have already improved my happiness and my relationship with my husband. 

The #1 lesson I put into practice:  "Life Is Now, This Is It."  More on Make Everyone Want You