I know how exciting it can be to take your first steps toward starting your own business, but what happens when you start another business... and another... and another?

It starts off simple enough. You decide to start a business. You know it isn't going to be easy, but you step up to the challenge with passion. That same passion is pulling you in many different directions into many different businesses. What do you do? How do you handle all that new information? How do you handle your time? Being a “multrepreneur” is similar to an entrepreneur, only different. The difference is being an entrepreneur is juggling bowling pins and being a multrepreneur is juggling knives - because making a mistake can cause a lot more damage.

I was a stay at home mom for 10 years, and during that time, I received my greatest training to become a multrepreneur. More than one child will do that. However, along with mothering, I always had some kind of side business. Whether it was selling something, teaching a class, organizing weddings or buying, remodeling and selling homes, I was rarely only a mom and wife. It seemed my extra energy always needed somewhere to go.

After a huge shift in the way my husband and I lived (meaning he left his time-consuming job after 10 years and took a hiatus) I wrote a children’s book. I thought my story was good, though I had no idea what would happen next. I looked into getting published, I quickly discovered my beautiful story might actually be rejected over and over, that is if they even read it. As a unknown author, chances of getting noticed by publishing houses is a little like winning the lottery. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I thought... I can do this, I can publish this! That was the day I became a publisher and business number one began.

When my husband and I started to build AuthenticTimes.com, it was actually not meant to be anything but a test website for him to show people his computer skills. He was starting the business, not me. But when he asked me, "If you could have any kind of website in the world, what would it be like?" I told him about my dream for an honest website community for women. A place with no advertisements that was all about expanding minds as a community, as we practiced to live a more spiritually-based life (while we were going through the change of life!) As we spoke more and more, I found I was extremely inspired with ideas for the website.

Article-length ideas.

I began writing down every idea that came into my head. Before I knew it, I had a ton of articles written and a website that needed graphics… Business number two was born!

During this exhilarating time, I was seeing a life coach. As I spoke with her, I realized I was feeling called into service as a life coach. I had a new and immense passion about everything in my life, and I was getting such positive feedback from my family and friends, I realized it was time to share that passion! Before I even had my intake form ready, let alone a website (which came much later) I had 3 clients. The response I received was phenomenal and it was becoming clear that I was blazing a trail in sync with the universe. I loved my new found career… but wait, didn’t I already have one? This was business number three and I didn’t see any way to connect them and do them all... at the time.

The amazing thing was, everytime I spoke with my illustrator for the book, I was on fire and focused on publishing. Then my husband would ask me a question and my energy and excitement would be focused on the magazine website. Then I would have a client and I would get all fiery about my life coaching. Each time as I took a moment to think about one job, I would be just as passionate as I thought about the other. My thoughts were moving from one business to the next, sometimes minute to minute. I experienced overwhelm a lot. I knew something had to change.

It didn’t help that others didn't understand my situation. People told me that I was doing too much. I was working too much. They said I had too many plates up in the air. How could I keep all of those plates spinning… successfully? On top of all that, my motherly instincts took a huge hit. How could I be working so much and not spend time with my young, precious boys? Whether you can see it or not, (and you don’t see much in the beginning) those who live with you are highly affected by your decision (and indecision) of becoming a multrepreneur. To be successful, you have to have a plan.

Keeping a clear head and being able to manage many businesses at once IS possible. In fact it is a whole lot of fun when you get into a rhythm. The only side effects are excess over-time and episodes of overwhelm. However, if you are on the right path, the universe actually provides the time you need (like magic) and the resources to create a support system. Without a strong support system behind you, your house of cards can easily fall.

For all of you out there who are already in the depths of it, and are feeling like your cards might fall, try the following proven plan for success:

Rain’s Multrepreneur Time Management Program

First and foremost: Believe in yourself! There are no rules in life, no matter how many books there are out there about starting a business. There are just as many unique success stories from people who had no idea what they were doing. Let me repeat that: Believe in yourself!

Start by making a list of tasks each week, that you are absolutely sure you can accomplish during your week that move you towards your goals for your many businesses. If you have too many tasks, it is time to delegate. As a multrepreneur, the art of delegating is extremely important!

Look over your list and ask yourself, “What would I love to be doing right now?” Follow your first instinct and do the task on your list you are most drawn to. This may go against traditional wisdom which says to finish the hardest task first. I find the opposite to be true. When you have many businesses and are doing the impossible, keeping your energy at it's highest level at all times it the most important way to be successful. You will want to work only on that task for an hour or less, if you finish the task. At the top of the next hour look at your list, and ask yourself, “What would I love to do most, right now?” Again follow your first instinct. It may be to continue to work on what you were doing last hour, or you may pick something new. It helps to have a timer in the beginning as you get used to the habit of asking yourself what you want to each hour. Also, remember to cross items off your list as you complete each task.

At some point, you may look at your list and say, “I wouldn’t love to do anything on this list right now!” Perfect. This is your natural way of taking a break, which is important for your health and well-being! Let me repeat that: Make sure you Take Breaks!

Ask yourself the same question but without the list. “What would I love to do most, right now?” This time, you can choose anything in the world that is not on your list. You may choose to read a book, take a nap, go for a walk, eat some lunch, or talk to your supportive, energy-boosting friends. After your break at the top of the hour, go back to your list. If you still don’t want to do anything on your list, take another break. Trust that your mind, body and spirit know what they need and want. A big part of becoming an entrepreneur or multrepreneur is simply trusting yourself.

Caution: If you are taking all-day breaks for 3 or more days, there might be something on your list causing you fear. Time to bring in your support system to help move you forward. Asking for help is invaluable to your success!

You will feel a huge sense of accomplishment each week as you cross things off your list. And you will see yourself moving steadily towards your goals. If you don’t finish everything on your list, no worries, just add it to the next week. This is about moving forward, not beating yourself up. Stay positive and watch yourself grow.

Using this program will motivate you to create one or many businesses all at once. You can stay inspired, get things done on your own terms and best of all, have the time of your life!

By the way, this is the time of your life, so go ahead and start blazing your trail!

smiles and inspiration!

Rain

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