Thanks to all of you who have phoned or emailed to comment on the eBook.  It’s great to get the feedback.  I’m hoping some of you will also be posting comments on this blog as it’s helpful for others to see your comments too! 

Although the eBook is primarily for women who work in their own business, in a family business, or with their spouse, it may still be useful to those of you who are working in someone else’s business.  Some of the issues addressed in the book seem to be wide-spread in the arena of women who work .. .anywhere!

“New Zealand women have worked for a long time to have the right to do anything.  And now we’ve got to work to make sure it doesn’t mean the right to do everything – not all at once”.  Ruth Dyson

Interested in your own copy of “Beating Business Women Meltdown” ?  Email me at – kathy@fullfocus.co.nz and I’ll send details on how to get it.

And as if I can’t stand for things to return to normal, we’ve now launched into a project doing “a few” renovations around the house (both inside & out).  Hmm.  Another test to see if I can keep the business and the home running successfully whilst adding a bunch of workmen into the mix. And no, we’re not moving out of the house while it’s being done – the renovations aren’t that extensive … but it’ll be enough to keep me on my toes.  Bearing in mind of course, that our business office is very  much attached to our home, there’ll be no escaping the renovations during the day either!  Should be interesting.    I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, the eBook, entitled “Beating Business Woman Meltdown – How to keep your home and business running without a major meltdown” is on its way, FREE as promised, to all of you who responded and took part during the various stages of the eBook.  Hope you enjoy reading it.  Hope you find something in there that makes a difference. 

I’d really love your feedback about the book … good or bad (but don’t be too harsh!) .. send it to me.  You can email me, or leave a comment on the blog.  (And if you’ve got any hints on how to live and work with tradesmen around …. I could do with those too!)

I’ll wait with baited breath …

It’s running a couple of weeks behind schedule – the last post (early April) said it would be completed within the month – which obviously it wasn’t!    But it will be done by the end of May, so watch out for it!

Like to send me an email ? -  kathy@fullfocus.co.nz

Or you can leave a comment on the blog.

Just yesterday it came back from the proof-readers and I’m about to go through it for the last time before publishing.  Coinciding with the school holidays isn’t great timing, but I think I can safely say that within the month the ebook should be popping into your inbox, so look out for it.

Hope you have a great Easter weekend and if you’ve got kids on school holidays, make sure you chill out and have some fun with them!

You’ll be pleased to hear the last chapter is all but completed, which means it will soon be off to the proof-reader(s) and then ready for “publishing”. 

Any last minute comments you’d like to make for inclusion in the eBook? … particularly on my last chapter about what happens when the struggle to keep your business and home running is taken out of your hands (see my last post).  I’d love to hear … send me an email or leave a comment on the blog.

 Stopped me in my tracks.  A serious curve ball thrown my way with what seemed like a homing device attached.  No ducking, no diving.  Wham!  And guess what, suddenly the challenge of keeping the business and the home running was taken away.  That’s right – taken right off me – just like that.   No choice.   I was out of the picture altogether (albeit temporarily).  Hmmm. 

What could do that you may well ask?  Especially those who know me … the picture of health & fitness I’ve been told.   Try this on … I’m now into Week 2 after a triple heart bypass!  Whoa!   Yes.  Scary stuff.   And by the way, this is NOT a symptom of “business woman meltdown” (or so I say).   It’s the genetics that got me in the end!

So I’m sitting here now, allowed 1 hour of “light paper work” and thinking … well, when the s…t hits the fan there are certainly people in my household that can run it.  May not be quite the way I’d do it, but the house is still running.  And the business is still running – albeit in a more focused fashion as Dave culls out the stuff that really doesn’t need to be done and concentrates on only that which does.    And although we’re only talking about a few weeks – it’s interesting to consider.

The point of all this is of course … a small question in my mind as to whether we’re actually kidding ourselves about this whole keeping the house running/keeping the business running thing.   I’m wondering what the ”pay off” is for us.  What ”goodies” do we get out of it?   That’s a question worth thinking about.  

The eBook?  Well, now I’ve got another chapter to add. 

I’d be really interested in your thoughts about the question – what’s the payoff/what’s in it for you/what goodies do you get, out of the challenge/struggle of keeping your business running as well as your home?

Leave a comment on the blog or send me an email, Id love to hear.

There’s been great progress on the eBook over the holiday period.  I put this mainly down to my new laptop – a little treat from an unexpected windfall at the end of last year.   This has meant I can now write the eBook while outside enjoying the glorious summer. 

I’m sitting here “working” in the very best environment in the world – my own backyard.  We overlook a reserve and estuary, and from where I’m sitting I can see the pohutukawa trees in brilliant red bloom and the tuis as they swoop from one flax bush to another.   The turtle is out of the fishpond and spread-eagled on the hot deck; the cat asleep in his favourite deckchair; the cicadas in full chorus. 

Wow … what a way to do your work!  I can do my banking, write articles, prepare presentations, send emails …. in fact, I can do just about anything (including updating my blog!) while I’m sitting in my own garden surrounded by the lushness (is that a word?) of nature.  Perfect.  It sure beats sitting in the office in front of my PC!  

As far as the eBook is concerned … yes … it’s on track and I’m just finalising the first draft.  This doesn’t mean, though, that I don’t want/need any more feedback.  I’m always looking for more comments so keep them coming.    I’m interested in any little snippet you can send my way … and I’m sure there’s some wonderful snippets out there after the Xmas/New Year period – because you no doubt have now dealt successfully with that .. and at the same time as you were running your business.. and your home.

Post a comment on the blog, or send me an email … I’d love to hear your story!

The festive season is just around the corner and for some of us this is the busiest time of the year.  Not just in business… but preparing for Christmas and whatever that means for you and your family.   It can be a demanding time, so make sure you take some time for yourself (yes .. especially in the often hectic pace of pre-Christmas).    With all the stuff you need to do, you need to look after yourself.  You don’t want to be a worn-out lump on the sofa on 24th December.  Schedule a bit of “me-time” over the next 2 weeks and make sure you take it!

Don’t forget the spirit of Christmas! Make sure you take time to chill out, time for your family and friends, time to forget about business.   Because at the end of the day your business isn’t really what matters.   You know what really matters… so make sure you spend time with the people you love, and fill up your days with lots of fun and laughter.  Rejuvenate and replenish!

Like I said, it’s a hectic time of year and if I’m not in touch again before Christmas, look out for my next post sometime after that or in the New Year.  The eBook will be really taking shape by then!

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and enjoy the festive season! 

Arohanui.

Most resources I’ve found about writing eBooks said to work out the structure first – ie. how many chapters, what each chapter’s about, length of .. etc. So I did that. But it’s not working! I keep digressing into what’s going to be covered elsewhere in the book. I’m not liking having to stick to this structure thing.

That’s a suprise. Because generally I’m a pretty structured person … ask anyone that knows me. Well, maybe “structured” is not my writing style. So I’m trying something else…. writing it the other way round. I’m going to get it all down out of my head and onto paper (well, into the computer actually) and then structure it … split it into chapters after I’ve finished it.

Phew! I feel more enthused about it already.

So keep watching because one thing is sure … I am going to write it and those of you who have generously given your feedback, comments (not to mention valuable time), will be receiving your FREE copy as promised.

So keep your comments coming. If you’re having a hard day juggling the business and the home, write to me and let me know.  I’m really interested in how the challenges of keeping a business and a home running affect you.  I want to know all that stuff that frustrates you and hampers what you want to achieve.

If you’re having a major meltdown, email me and tell me why!  Tell  me what’s happening and what would fix it for you.  What would make the difference … what would make the meltdown go away? Not only will you be providing valuable information for the eBook, you’ll probably also feel a darn sight better having vented your frustration (and it’s a lot more PC than strangling the nearest person!)

To contact me, send me an email or leave a comment on the blog.  I’d love to hear from you.

If that’s YOU, then how about taking a few minutes to answer the question below? In return you’ll receive a FREE copy of the eBook when it’s published.

Here’s the question … choose (a) (b) or (c) depending on your situation:

What are the main problems or challenges (10 more or less) you deal with ….
working in a business with your husband/partner,
working in the family business,
or working in your own business

Number your list 1-10 (1 being the most pressing or recurring problem) then send it to me in an email or leave your comments on the blog.

If you know of any other women who fit these categories (working in their own business, within a family business, or working with their husbands/partners) , please refer them to this blog -the more information I can get the better!

Now, what I really need are your comments.  So please take a few minutes NOW to send them to me!