The Myths

We strappers know the work and time that we have to put into our business. We know that we wake up early and stay up late to finish the latest project. We know how serious our work is. We know how important our clients are. We know how we have to set aside family and personal time, just to stop the work from taking over our lives.

Unfortunately, the reality is the technology that allows us to strap on our own business and make things happen from home is relatively new. We are professionals, but we are at home. We love that if our hubby or babies have crises, we can swoop in and be their heroes, while balancing our business, at the same time. However, that flexibility tends to attract others in need... Those who need a carpooler, a babysitter, etc. I love the advice in this article from the New York Times. Telecommuter Sylvia Marino says she doesn't tell people where her office is, at her home. What are your techniques for keeping your job professional?

Freelancing

I could not agree more...

All About the Fashion

I have come to believe that the key to freelance or small business work is all in the frame of mind. I am my own boss. I

am the sole employer of my abilities and employee of my will-power and self-determination.

I've also come to realize that how I dress in the morning will have a direct influence on my success for the rest of the day. Now my husband seemed aware of this from the first day I decided to freelance. I believe his exact words were "Honey, just shower, get dressed up and start writing." Well... okay I may have added the word "up" in there. The truth is he probably didn't want me stinking in my own filth anymore.

And yet, his words ring true 2 years later. I have to admit I've spent many days not dressing up. In fact, I spent most of my husband's last deployment in his old sweatpants and shirts. And I really don't regret that. I mean, sometimes a girl, with the weight of the world on her shoulders, needs a little comfort.

Lately, however, I've been going back to that bit of advice from my hubby. I've been making a special effort to actually shower in the morning and put on... gasp... work clothes, complete with a skirt and warm tights. And it's made all the difference. When I put on my "work clothes," I feel a sense of purpose I often miss as a freelancer. I feel professional and get that slight bit of discomfort that comes from wearing clothes that you really don't want to stretch out or rip inadvertantly.

Of course, that's not to say I've ditched the sweatpants. I may be a professional, but I'm still a military wife, whose hubby does scary things, sometimes in scary lands and sometimes, despite the professional airs I try to maintain, sometimes I need a little comfort of an old, ratty Navy Sweatshirt that smells of sweat and fuel. And, of course, I'm always wearing slippers.