Back to work in 2009? Go for it!
There's far too much doom and gloom around at the moment: let's face it, life is all about highs and lows, enabling us to appreciate the good times and get through the bad times...
Okay, lesson over! This is most definitely a time when many mothers who, not so long ago, maybe didn't need to work, now do. Family finances are a-changing, redundancy and cut backs are rife, and many women are now ‘thinking outside the box' in terms of their financial contribution to the family coffers.
Or maybe you just WANT to work? Children are wonderful creatures, but many, many women feel the need and desire to do something for themselves, to work outside the home, to generate their own income and to create a different life for themselves.
Life with children goes through many stages: first of all tiny babies are generally exhausting, often robbing any mother of the will to work; then toddlers are demanding; school eventually happens and you have school runs and holidays to factor in...it's all too easy not to bother! Inflexible hours, the very thought of making that step and going back to work, stepping outside what may be your comfort zone - all these add up to possibly making the thought of going back to work daunting and frightening.
So, consider what's best for you and your family dynamics: full time, part time in an office, part-time from home, freelance, self-employed setting up your own business? From senior management to a business run from a room at home - you have choice! This is obviously a time when a great choice is not so available, but use contacts, local adverts, local business groups, the internet for finding out what's out there! It may be that you and a friend could join together to lighten the load, use you separate skills and expertise, even share the childcare!
Dig deep; think about pre-children days and what you want, what you did then. It may be that you now have different skills and views on life and want to try something completely different. Women entrepreneurs are incredibly positive about the benefits of being self employed, which allows flexibility. You're in charge, you have control and a passion or hobby could well make you money!
Are you creative, do you make cakes or cards, are you into property, aerobics, yoga or are you a financial or an IT whizz? Think what you could do to turn any passion into an income! Look for a new market trend, do initial research and test your idea before committing. The big thing is research! You may well have the skills but if someone else is already working the idea you may need to reconsider or put a twist on it. Talk to those in the know, and those who aren't, but don't give too much away! Learn new computer skills, go on a course, you never know where it will lead!
Whatever you do, do ask for help! And if you're not feeling confident enough to ‘go it alone' - think of franchising possibilities: this is basically a proven business system that is combined in a package that another can then buy. These tend to have a greater success rate as they are based on a proven system and there's always back up and someone with whom to talk things through.
Find the right thing for you. It won't always be easy, of course, life has its highs and lows, but work it, tell everyone about it, make some money and your confidence will grow! This way you can keep your business and work hours as big or small as you want - the choice is yours!
There is plenty of advice now from the government and other sources on starting out and setting up in business, so if going back to work is your chosen path, go for it! Live your dream - it may start small but the world's your oyster!
Useful sources of further information, links open in a new page
(Practical advice for all businesses, including set-up, tax, NI, marketing)
ACAS Flexible Working Helpline on 08457 47 47 47
a great site for networking as well as advice on every aspect of working
has job opportunities available for mothers and flexible workers
Article written in February 2009 by Annie Watsham
Annie Watsham is an accredited Personal Success Coach, Interactive Coach, Member of the Association for Coaching and a journalist.
Forward Life Coaching
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