Grace’s Year In Review

This is the second in a series here at Work at Home Moms Talk Radio.  We’ve asked WAHMs to tell us about one regret, one proud moment, one new friend, one favorite resource and one resolution for the new year. This post is from Grace Becker of Dough Raising Mom.

It is that time of year again. All of a sudden, we look up and realize it is almost Christmas, and the end of the year looms right after that. Most of us spend some time taking a look at what we have accomplished, and also what we didn’t do. I thought that when I got out of school, I would not have to deal with report cards anymore. Boy, little did I know that those darn things are simply a part of life.

I was asked by my mentor to take time to consider five things and reflect on them as I prepare for the coming year. It sounded pretty simple, one regret, one proud moment, one new friend, one favorite resource, and one resolution. So, before I have to make the next batch of cookies, or get ready for another Christmas party, here goes.

One Regret

I’ll get this one out of the way, so I can move on to happier topics. It seems that the dawn of every New Year is a mixture of anticipation & sadness. Even the music changes from upbeat and happy to melancholy. For me, my regret is that it took so long for me to find my talents and strengths. I had been content plodding along for many years without even giving much thought to discovering what God needs me to do while I am here.

I had my children & I had a home based business that I had been running for ten years. Then my husband and I were having a discussion about what to do with the rest of our lives, and out of the blue, he said he hoped I could walk away from the catering company that I had worked so hard to build. I was really hurt, and angry as well.

I felt like all that hard work was finally paying off, and now he just wanted me to walk away. In reality, he was right, those long hours and heavy lifting were taking a toll on me, and it was not a good fit for the family any longer. But then came the challenge of what next, and in taking the challenge, I realized I had been coasting through life without giving any thought  about why I am here.

A New Friend

Well, on to happier topics. Through an online group, I met Becky Johnson. She is from Colorado, and we have spent several weekends together at seminars. We decided to work  together as accountability partners, but the relationship has turned into a great friendship as well. There is truth in the saying that opposites attract, because we have very different
strengths, and that is a great scenario for our working relationship. We are both baby boomers, and so technology is a struggle for both of us. I think one of the reasons we get along so well, is that we can laugh at each others’ mistakes. I know that as we learn new things, we will continue to share that knowledge, and hopefully that will make our learning curve easier for both of us.

A Proud Moment

I jumped into the job of trying to discover my strengths. It sounds like it should be easy. I did not find that to be a walk in the park at all, nor did most other people in the groups I was in. But finally after all the tests, brain storming, soul searching, and evaluating, I found answers.

I decided to take my passion for being a work at home mom, and I focused my business around that. The first step was to build a training program to teach moms or dads a fund raising program I had developed over twenty plus years.

The proud moment happened in mid October when I held my inaugural training weekend. I had a great time, and the results are proving that my program is working for those moms.

One Favorite Resource

Having to pick favorites here is pretty hard. I love Mom Masterminds, but I am going to cheat a bit here. I feel a little like a kid who has peaked at her Christmas presents. The truth of the matter is that the “Gold Key” that Kelly McCausey offers is on my Christmas list. I happen to have good information that Santa is loading that on his sleigh with my name on it. I have really been really impressed with her training programs I have already purchased and Mom Masterminds. My coaching sessions with her were so productive, that for me, the Gold Key is without question a great deal. That’s why even though I don’t yet have it, I already know that my Christmas present this year is my favorite resource.

One Resolution

That takes me full circle back to the reflection part of closing out the year and planning the next one. Of course, like all of you, I have many, but here is the one I will publically put my name on. I will do what it takes to train at least two dozen people to use the Dough Raising Mom fund raising program.

Well, that was not as bad as I thought, now how about you?