As I landed in the South of France for a work vacation, I felt extremely overwhelmed. I remembered that I was once a broke college student living on government assistance. I made a decision to start a little home business 14 years ago. I didn’t know at that time it was God’s plan for me. I didn’t even believe that I could be who I am today.
Fast forward 2010, at the age of 35, my first son Joshua was born. In 2011, I transitioned my wellness and hands on business to become a mommy blogger sharing my expertise online and became a ‘stay-at-home’ mom.
Was it easy? No. I wanted to give up many times. In April 2013 after two miscarriages I had my “miracle” daughter Sarah Grace. In November 2013, we moved from my familiar surroundings in Upstate New York to Florida.
There were no interruptions in my business or paycheck. In fact I achieved Young Living’s Diamond Leadership after my move to Florida.
Did I know then that I had a Plan B? Not at all! Without a Plan B, I would not have been where I am today- a work at home mom running a home-based business and serving clients and growing my team from all over the world.
What is your Plan B?
Parents magazine’s article, Why I quit my job? featured five women who quit their job to be stay-at-home moms. The question was: What motivated them?
Here are their reasons:
1. Long hours, pressure and a demanding job.
2. Salary barely above minimum wage and wasn’t enough to cover the cost of childcare.
3. Worried that her kids will be closer to her mother-in-law who watched the kids while she engaged in a full time career outside of home.
4. Long commute.
5. Difficulty finding good and affordable childcare.
As a mom, I know how they felt. I’ve seen and heard time and time again from women from all walks of life having to decide on their career path after the children were born. Some continued working successfully and there is nothing wrong with that. Some have chosen to stay-at-home and are able to make ends meet.
However there are many who find it hard to survive with one income or became unhappy because there was no outlet contribute to their family’s financial needs.
There is another group of moms and dads that I’ve encountered. They had a well-prepared plan for their career path. Unfortunately, that career path was cut short, either because they lost their job or because of an illness.
As of July 2014, the Labor Department reported that 3.2 million Americans were long-term unemployed (jobless for 27 weeks or more), 2.2 million were marginally attached to the labor force and 7.5 million are only employed part time for economic reasons.
My husband Jay found himself in that situation in 2006. We thank God we had our ‘little home based’ business to rely on for food on the table and other living expenses.
What is your Plan B?
There is another group of workers in America today who are suffering. They are like John, a story told by The Washington Post. John is 55, works at the Philadelphia International Airport wheeling elderly passengers from ticket counters to their gate and makes $5.25 an hour.
The article continued…
Usually for lunch he buys a candy bar. His skin flakes from psoriasis, which gets worse when he worries, which, these days, is all the time. He can’t pay for treatments to soothe the itching or for a car to shorten his pre-dawn commute.
“I can’t save money,” he said recently, “to buy the things I need to live as a human being.” Read more here.
He is one of the many low-income workers who are grateful they hold a job while many are having economic anxiety.
Another group of Americans are the baby boomers approaching retirement age. The 2008 financial crisis left many with broken nest eggs despite news of better returns of investment. A report by Fox Business News said the average Social Security check is $1,294 a month for a single person and $2,111 for a couple.
They say boomers can’t afford to retire. What is their Plan B? The same Fox Business article suggested “become roommates with your adult children” as one of the tips along with finding a part-time job.
Another question was raised recently on why there is an increase in suicide among baby boomers.
The Washington Post reported in May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a dramatic spike in suicide among middle-aged people – highest among men in their 50s – 30 per 100,000. It is higher than motor vehicle accidents. And women in their early 60s – 7 in 100,000.
The article told a story about Mike who struggled with depression and when he had a back injury that forced him to go on disability, his situation became worse. With powerful prescribed pain medications, two days after his 49th birthday he killed himself. Read more here.
Moms, dads and retirees are facing many challenges today. How do you navigate your life through challenges and obstacles? How do you know which opportunity works for you when it comes to devoting your time to a Plan B or a home-based business?
Debra Raybern was a young widowed mother. She found her Plan B, overcame many challenges and here is her success story:
As kids are back in school and routine are in place, it is time to ponder:
How would your life look like five years from now if you were doing the same thing over and over again without making any changes?
I don’t know your situation. While in Southern France I met people who were willing to make some changes, worked on their Plan B and are living a more fulfilling life helping others do the same with a Young Living home-based business.
To learn more please leave your question below or email me at info@starrhealth.com.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. It’s strictly for informational, educational, or entertainment purposes ONLY. The products I talk about are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, treat or cure any illness or disease. Any information I give you about them is for informational or entertainment purposes only. They have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. Please seek the qualified health professional of your choice when making health decisions for yourself, your family and your pets.
I wish I had understood this many years ago