I don’t know how she does it. 

Remember that movie, back in 2011 with Sarah J. Parker. If not, no worries, the movie was about a mom of two small children who held a position at an investment firm.

It’s been awhile since I watched the movie; however, I remember feeling anxiety for SJP’s character as she tried her best to balance work and mom life.  The reason I bring this movie up is because of how ticked off I get when I hear the words work/life balance or integration or boundaries. 

Not because I do not believe these things exist… but because these words can make us feel inadequate, like we aren’t doing enough or doing things right.  Like everyone has the SECRET to how to create the work/life balance.  

A large part of this is because social media shows us these women cooking meals, raising perfectly polite children in their well-curated homes, building an empire in business.  While we sit at home in our messy hair...

If you have been following me a wee bit, you know "launching" is my super strength... especially launching without the hustle, when short on time, when trying to balance life and mama-hood.  It wasn't always like that though, so let's get some context first.

Back in 2008, yours truly graduated from veterinary medical school with a doctorate and embarked on an emergency/critical care veterinarian career which took me to:  South Africa, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Texas, etc. 

However, my entrepreneurial journey began after our twins were born... and my heart needed me to be more present within the home and less on the ER floor.  Like most folks, I started in a MLM which lead me to want to start my own business and invest in coaching, memberships and masterminds.  

With all the twists and turns, I landed coaching within an entrepreneurial community for an 8-figure company which serves entrepreneurs to create an irresistible offer,...

Investing.

This word has been popping up ALL over the place for me... well, in three places actually.  The first was a joke I spotted on Instagram which I casually shared via text to the hubster. 

Then the word "investing" popped up for me while I was journaling... which I will elaborate on more in a bit.  But the third time, this word came my way just this past week was during a coaching call where I was being coached.  

[Context]:  For the past 14 weeks, I have been raising newborn Newfoundland puppies in my house WHILE homeschooling our twins... WHILE performing physical therapy on one of our twins... WHILE being an uber driver to their afternoon appointments... WHILE running my own business.  

So, when our last puppy found her forever family, my coach said to me this: 

"I want to see YOU invest in YOURSELF like you did for those puppies."

And that hit me.

Because the day before, I literally wrote in my journal this...

I've gotta ask you:  what is the reason you are pushing the launch date back again?  

This is a tough but fair question I shot one of my clients on a call together.  We had just laid out her strategy session for the SECOND time and she was contemplating pushing the dates back once again.

I'll be hundred percent real with you as I was with her.  it's completely normal to have doubts, fears, concerns, feelings of limiting beliefs and hearing negative chatter in your mind when you are launching.  This doesn't make you a special unicorn.

Ouch.

But it doesn't.  You are not unique into feeling this way.  What makes you unique is that you identify what is holding you back and take action anyway.  That's where the magic happens. 

This may be a tough love read, but it comes from the heart and wanting to help YOU serve your audience the best way possible (for you)... and create an impact not only in your business, but in your life and the...

"You are too hard on yourself, Amber."  

This is a common statement made by my closest friends.  You know what, they are not wrong (to some degree).  

And I want to share with you the reason why I am a wee bit hard on myself as well as how I flip it to actually HELP me (not harm me).  

THE REASON

Unlike your closest friends or even strangers you follow on social media, you only see glimpses of what they are doing, no?  It's not like everyone is showing you everything! 

You don't see them scrolling for ten minutes on TikTok watching videos while supposedly on the "potty".   You don't see them reaching for a pint of ice cream once the kids go to sleep instead of focusing on their wellness goals.

You don't see ANY of that... which I think can hurt us to some degree but also gives us compassion for when friends or folks simply tell us, "I'm doing my best but I'm struggling." 

Because we don't see ALL of...

Whose ready to read the truth about motherhood + entrepreneurship co-existing?  Because I am not going to be sugarcoating this for you, sweets.  Not all. 

WHO THE HECK AM I?

You might need a wee bit of context before diving into this quick 2-minute read.  Name is Amber; however, most of my friends call me, Langley which is my maiden name.  I'm a former emergency/critical care veterinarian turned entrepreneur who works from home while homeschooling our twins, nicknamed the Gillies.  

There are several ways I serve and "work" from home... besides my own community + weekly blogs, my time is spent within James Wedmore's Business By Design community as a head coach.  Plus, I serve women entrepreneurs in several capacities such as through 1:1 Intensive Days or group coaching with the focus being on launching their offer/service with ease + without hustling.

Now.  You can see how these areas WHILE homeschooling our twins can take up...

First off.  Let's define the word, motivation.  According to dictionary.com the definition is as follows: 

Motivation (noun):  the reason one has for acting/behaving in a particular way; the general desire of someone to do something.

General desire of someone to do something.  I like that wording.  Because every one of us has at sometime lacked the desire to do something whether it was for our business or a wellness goal or even with a relationship.  

And what do most humans do when they lack something or long to find the answer... they google it.  

Here's a dose of tough love: there's no secret sauce or magically elixir for one to stay motivated 100% of the time.

Instead motivation needs movement. I call it the BIG MO'. You need movement to build momentum which generates motivation.

And taking movement or action towards your goal takes discipline. Plain and simple.

Like a classic white tee.

However, I think sometimes...

You put your offer out into the world and some beautiful soul clicked purchase.  And the internet fairies sent them the "Thank You" email.  Now what?

One of my absolute favorite ways to onboard a new client is with a WELCOME PACKET.

It's the perfect way to provide them with all the nitty gritty details of what to expect from you, your offer and hours of operation.  Also, a welcome packet tackles any loose ends or questions new clients/students may have in the beginning of their journey with you.

But, what do you include in a WELCOME PACKET?  Let's dissect one together shall, we?  

01 //  WELCOME + GRATITUDE

First thing is first.  Welcome them to your program/offer/etc and express your gratitude for being there with you.  Because YOU are grateful they took a leap and hired YOU to provide the solution for them.  I love to make this section a wee bit personal and tell them why I'm grateful to have THEM on this journey...

This is a huge question for any entrepreneur especially one who is branching out into the digital online space:  where do I invest in my business? 

Maybe it's a question you have asked yourself once or twice as well.  As part of my journey, I can honestly say it wasn't one I thought too critically on at that time.

We are just being honest, right? 

I was sort of in this illusion, if something was put in front of my face then it must be a sign I needed it for my business.  The amount of times, the hubster heard the word, "sign" in the first two years of my business is hilarious.  But, I didn't know. No one was talking about it.  And looking back on my journey, I realize it wasn't a sign from the universe... it was just good marketing by those entrepreneurs.  

Bravo, guys.  You got me.

But, now I'm onto you.  And now, I'm going to spill the tea with everyone else.

01 // WEBSITE + BRANDING

Straight out of the...

Recently, I shared a few of my favorite hacks on how to actually LAUNCH without the stress or overwhelm.  You can check out that quick 2-minute read >> HERE <<.

However, if you are thinking EVEN before actually launching... and pondering if you even have the TIME to launch, then buttercup, listen up.  You got the time.

I know, how in the world can I possibly even say this to you. I have absolutely NO idea what you are going through in this season in your life.  AND You are completely right.  I don't. 

But here's the thing:  If it's a PRIORITY to you in THIS SEASON you are in, you have the time. 

This means, if other things take priority such as health of a loved one... or your own mental/physical well-being (as examples) then maybe NOW isn't the season.  Because THOSE are taking priority.  And baby cakes, that is completely good.  You take care of YOU and your priorities.

HOWEVER

If you are making your business and...