| WORK AT HOME MOM Update July 2009 |
There's time to enjoy the moment. No rushing around, Hi Ken and Gang, Just checking in to say 'hello' and give you an update (as well as extending my immeasurable thanks). Things are humming along here in Schill-ville. We're thoroughly enjoying the laid back ways of island life. It seems such a natural way to live. I feel grateful that we're experiencing it now, while our kids are young, raising them with an appreciation for the simple things. Stress levels are at an all-time low in our household. My husband does casual work around the island, which fits well with our lifestyle. I continue to work on my sites for a few hours each day. There's time to enjoy the moment. No rushing around, commuting to work, juggling schedules, or hoping privately that we have 'job security.' Our boys are on summer holidays right now and while other parents are transporting their kids to and from daycares, we are taking it easy and enjoying the carefree days. Peace of Mind In Troubled TimesThe benefit of what I've created with SBI! is most evident right now when I consider the instability of our economy and the way it is affecting families (i.e., job losses, financial strain). This global downturn has had an affect on my income. It hasn't grown overly much in the past year. Advertisers are keeping a close rein on their budgets it seems. This has compelled me to focus on updating neglected affiliate links and expand on product recommendations. Something that I should have been doing long ago probably. But, as they say... 'go with the flow.' So I'm doing it now, and seeing benefits already! In a few months, it will be five years since I started clumsily tinkering away at my first website. Now, my online business is well established, open and available round the clock to 'customers' (visitors) across the globe, and slowly funneling dollars my way as people make use of what I've built... regardless of what I'm actually doing at the time! It's a beautiful thing. :) 
We have the time to be involved in our kids' schools and activities, and go on family adventures. Our most recent exploit being a headlong dive into the world of boating with the purchase of our very own itty bitty family boat! Thanks to the addition of your Content 2.0 feature, my sites have developed into fun, casual online communities where visitors contribute questions and comments. That means the sites are constantly growing due to the addition of that user-created content. And I just click the 'Build It!' button before heading out to enjoy my garden or read a book on my lounger while the kids romp in the yard. New Web HorizonsIt wouldn't be at all right for us to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and not share it with others... via a new website of course. ;) My husband's appetite for fresh scenes to photograph is well fed here. We're busy exploring our island home, taking photos, learning from long time locals, and passing on the most relevant bits to those looking for info about this popular travel destination. A perfect fit. Managing three websites is a juggling act. Sometimes my mind swims with development ideas for each site. Then a wave of thoughts moves in about all the things I should be doing around the house. And then there are my people to consider. They each require time and attention (and constant feedings)... The same moments of overwhelm that I would have, regardless of the nature of my work. And the thought that always brings me back to a place of calm is that none of my work is urgent. I set my own priorities! I get to decide what gets done when. Which means I can seize the day's opportunities and always be there when the most important of my duties calls. That is what I am most thankful about. Success SpreadsIn my last update, I mentioned that my mom had been working on a few websites of her own. She and her husband are semi-retired. They live on their sailboat in Mexico during the winters, and work through the summers at a marina on the island here. Her sites are growing and bring in a regular (and also growing) income. She writes pages while they're underway in the winters and then builds them in groups when they sail into an area with Internet access. In the summer, she has a private space to work on her sites while my dad takes care of the marina business. So while they're enjoying semi-retirement, she is building a security net for the future years when they won't want to work during the summers anymore! I'm thankful for that too. :-) With respect,
Michelle Schill |
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