Earlier this month I presented my first live webinar since 2013 👀
I had all the tech knowledge and tools I needed way back in the early 2010’s but I realized this week that what was missing was my confidence, owning my voice and feeling safe speaking my truth.
I’ve been bringing my children into business settings since I became a parent in 2016 and over the past couple of years, have created a business and community focused on providing parent-friendly professional development events, resources and news for others like me.
At the start of 2019, I didn’t exactly know if I was meant to keep banging on about the merits of flexible work, inclusive spaces and experiences for people who also happen to be parents.
I kept pressing on, doing the work, taking (very) small steps while looking after two young kids, mindset, affirmations, forgiveness work, journaling, a new spiritual practice, taking inspired action, getting even more intentional with my time, making symbolic upgrades and lots of decluttering.
Small steps I took over the past year before the global pandemic hit included:
- guest speaking at events;
- hosting my own events;
- writing regularly to my audience on this blog, through my newsletters and via social media; and
- working on converting my content into an online course.
Manifesting my desires and creating space for magic to unfold
Spoiler alert: When you take the first step, the Universe takes 10 to meet you!
Over the past month:
- 📚 I decided to self-publish my first non-fiction book on April 24th, sent the info to my list, had pre-orders, been selling it in eBook and paperback versions and even made it to Number 15 in the Blogging & Blogs Category in Amazon’s Kindle Store;
- 📰 an interview I did for Female Tech Leaders online magazine in the UK about my experiences with remote work was published;
- 👩💻 I was approached to present at a Women In Leadership Foundation virtual speaker series about how I mix babies with business as a remote worker and was even featured in their national newsletter in Canada (above photo was taken after the webinar);
- 💸 I’m being offered in-kind assistance to transition my parent-friendly event series into a virtual offering, which I had already taken the initiative on converting; and
- 🔍 submitted my first fiction mystery/suspense short story for consideration in an upcoming anthology and it made it into the Top 20 Weekly Ideas this past week from Something Or Other Publishing (SOOP).
Unpacking the magic (and mantras) behind the opportunities
What’s interesting about all of these things are, I used to:
- ✍ write content for other businesses and now I am doing it for myself, treating myself as a first-class client and delivering top-quality work: It’s safe for me to invest in myself
- 💻 edit and design an online magazine for an industry leader, sourcing contributors and now I am considered a thought leader when it comes to flexible work: It’s safe for me to share my message
- 📅 run an online professional development program, hosting other experts via webinars and promoting their work and now others are seeking me out and facilitating the events for me: It’s my time and I’m ready for the next step
- 💰 source sponsorship and raise money for other businesses and charitable organizations to further their missions and now others are offering their services, support and funds to further my vision: I serve, I deserve
Working through visibility challenges
Some of you may recall over the past year, I also encountered a series of challenges including a person following me and the miscarriage of our third child.
These things knocked me sideways, leading me to rethink:
- my perceived purpose and my feelings about it;
- what I want to be sharing;
- how I want to show up in the world;
- how much I am willing to let circumstances beyond my control hold sway in my life;
- how safe it is for me to keep doing the work I do, in the way that I do it, in the places I do; and
- how I can ask for help, delegate, hold onto my power and rebuild my (and my family’s) sense of safety.
If you’re in Canada you can call the Victim Support Line 24/7 toll-free at 1-888-579-2888 or at 416-314-2447 if you’re in the Toronto area. You can also contact Victim Support Service Info, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General or Ontario Office for Victims of Crime.
Reclaiming my power
Looking back over the past decade, it’s clear how everything was lining up to prepare me for the moments I’ve been experiencing in 2020.
I already had all the tools, tech know-how and life experiences I needed. I was enough the whole time.
But I had to REALLY believe it, feel safe in that knowledge, own my power and take the next step.
Some mantras I have used during this period of manifestation, which may also help you on your journey:
- It gets to be easy
- I was born for this
- Others need to hear my message, from me, in my own voice
- I could be the light at the end of someone else’s tunnel
It hasn’t been easy but when I committed to continuing to show up over the past year in spite of my circumstances, magical things started to happen.
I’ve really doubled down on my mindset, grounding and spirituality work in order to fill my own cup first, which I’ve found has helped build a more solid foundation for me to create from.
My next few blog posts will focus on:
- books I’ve read which have helped me with my mindset, visibility, productivity and economic empowerment;
- how I wrote and self-published my first non-fiction book; and
- techniques I use to do flexible and remote work from home, with young kids.
This is only the beginning…I can’t wait to see what the Universe has around the corner! ✨
Let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading!
– Amy x
P.S. Feel free to forward this post to others who may also need a bit of digital love and encouragement to get started.
Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience is based on my journey as a blogger, writer, founder and parent to date.
It’s intended to help you solve real problems, for real people and focuses on:
- designing a blog around your values, interests and time commitments;
- creating content, sharing your ideas and seeking feedback; and
- defining what you offer, your ideal customer and launching your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Looking for more info about Flexible + Remote Work?
I’ve set a goal of doing more video/audio content this year, so stay tuned for quick episodes which will cover the intersection of parenthood, creativity and flexible work.
Subscribe to receive my free monthly Work + Life newsletter focused on travel, international family life, creativity and flexible work: http://bit.ly/AmyMaureenLynchNews
SHOP Products + Online Courses
• Mini Training – Mixing Babies And Business: 3 Ways To Make Remote Work More Productive For You (+ Your Family) [LEARN MORE]
• Book – Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience [LEARN MORE]
• Online Course – Based on the book Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience [JOIN THE WAITLIST]
FREE Digital Resources, Templates + Guides
• E-Course – Go Remote: 5 Steps To Transition To Flexible Work [LEARN MORE]
• Template – Remote Work (With Kids) Time Blocking Made Easy [LEARN MORE]
• Guide – Babies + Business Mini Guide To Navigating The Corporate Jungle (With Kids) [LEARN MORE]
Notes From Another Land 