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Do you remember your kindergarten art class? I do. My teacher was Mrs. Rosser, and one day she had us working on a project. I started drawing, and a few minutes later, I made a fateful mistake.

I looked over at what my tablemate Karen was doing. And her picture was way better than mine. 

I traded in my sheet of paper, and started over, copying Karen as precisely as I could. Her picture was good, so obviously I needed mine to look like hers, so that mine would be good.

That was my first major bout of Comparisonitis, and it was not fun, especially because it ended with me being shamed in front of the entire class for copying. I still don’t do art today, so thanks, Mrs. Rosser!

The second time I got caught up in comparing myself to someone else, I was older (if not wiser) — and if you’ve read my book, you might recognize this story.

When I got my first real job, it was working for the magazine division of the Kansas City Star. I replaced a woman named Gwen Heffner, who left to have a baby — and went on to become an Instagram star. 

Everyone who met me at work called me “the new Gwen,” which did nothing for my self esteem. And when I scrolled through Gwen’s amazing feed on social media, as she built an incredible new career, I could feel myself shrinking inside my skin.

I certainly wasn’t going to try to copy Gwen — I’d internalized that lesson — but I couldn’t help feeling inferior every time I picked up my phone, every time someone mentioned her name, every time someone called me “the new Gwen.”

Ultimately, I had to unfollow her for a time — I needed that boundary. And maybe you do, too. I knew that I had to stop comparing myself to others.

If there’s someone who constantly makes you feel like you’re not enough, then maybe it’s time to let go. Unfollow. Delete. 

Because you ARE enough, Mama, and comparing yourself to anyone besides the you of yesterday is not helpful.

Yes, some people have more experience than you. Yes, some people are ahead of you in business. But you know what else?

Some people are behind you and have less experience than you do.

If your son or daughter came home and said someone else in her class was a better speller, or could ride a bike faster or anything else, what would you tell her? Would you recommend that she keep comparing herself to the kids around her, or would you encourage her to keep working on herself?

And if another Free Mama came to you and said that your success made her feel intimidated, what would you say then?

So… why do we think it’s okay to compare ourselves to others? Why do we keep asking ourselves, “Why can’t I stop comparing myself to others?”

That mama you’re watching? You don’t know the whole story. You weren’t there for her late nights, the time she cried in her car, or the day she thought about giving it all up.

Sure, the Insta feed is pretty, but that’s the highlight reel. At the end of the day, she’s got spit-up on her shirt and something squishy in her shoes, just like the rest of us.

Set boundaries in your business — and your life. Protect yourself from getting caught up in the comparison game, because it’s a game you just can’t win.

The only person you need to look at is yourself. And Mama, from where I sit, you look amazing.

P.S. Have you read my book? It is full of practical advice and somewhat embarrassing stories about me journey to becoming a Free Mama. Check it out!

Also, check out last week’s episode of FreeMamaTV where I talked all about the qualities and skills of a virtual assistant that will make you stand out!

Forget Beyonce and her ring — I want you to put a bow on it. In today’s episode of FreeMamaTV, I’ll show you just how you can stand out to clients with qualities and skills of virtual assistant. You’ll learn just what it looks like to be  super resourceful, willing to go the extra mile — and the obvious choice for the job.

In fact, you’ll get to see some great real-world examples of what you can do to set yourself apart when you’re trying to land the clients — and after you get hired for the gig. 

Clients go crazy for VAs who go above and beyond, and it really doesn’t have to involve a lot of extra effort on your part, just a few qualities and skills of virtual assistant!

With these tips and ideas in your back pocket, you have everything you need to land that dream client and deliver a top-quality experience that nets you ongoing work — and steady income.

Check it out — and then go knock their socks off!

Don’t forget to subscribe, so you don’t miss an episode –like last week’s episode on companies that hire Virtual Assistants! If you needing help finding a client, that episode is for you!

You know, mama, the last few weeks, it’s felt like I’m stuck treading water in the deep end of the pool, and I need Daphne and Henry to swim out and save me — which maybe gives you a little insight into the levels of desperation I felt some days.

A lot happened. Besides being down for the count this past week, I recently made some decisions in my business that turned out… well, not as expected, and not in a good way. I felt myself floundering, and worst of all, I felt like there was no one who could help me. No one who could mentor me. No one who could help me see clearly to the next step. 

Um, Lauren, you’re saying. Did you not read your own blog last week? The logic? The asking for help?

Yeah, hi. Fallible human here, and I definitely don’t always remember to take my own advice. Once I finally remembered that I do, in fact, pay a decent amount of money specifically to have access to some great mentors, I reached out and asked for the help I needed. 

Well, that’s not exactly true.

At first, I just reached out and word vomited all over my business coach. I told her about everything I was feeling and caught her up on all the craziness in my business and life. And when I was finished, she said, “You haven’t asked anything. What do you need help with?”

Her answer infuriated me for a few seconds — until I realized she was right. If I don’t take the time to figure out what’s wrong and ask for the help I need, no one else can help me. 

After that call, I sat down and figured out what help I needed, and I asked for it. Then I got back on a call with my coach and talked through everything.

The next day, I met with a mindset coach who asked me, point-blank, “Lauren, what would you tell a Free Mama to do in this situation?”

Which made me stop and look at everything from a different perspective. No one gave me the answers. We didn’t solve my issues right then and there, and there’s still plenty of work to do, but I got the distance I needed. The very act of asking for help, of talking through the places where I’m struggling to figure things out — that made a huge difference for me. I could breathe again.

That night, I slept through the night for the first time in months.

The thing is, when you’re stressed out and in the thick of it, you can’t see clearly. You can’t find your way to the next action. That’s where a mentor — or even an accountability buddy — can really help.  That is what to do when you are overwhelmed – reach out for help.

It’s exactly what we do in group coaching, which you can sign up for when you enroll in The Free Mama Movement 12-week program  — and it’s why group coaching exists. Overwhelm is real. It’s like being tangled up in a net — the more you struggle, the less likely you are to escape. It’s only when someone can say to you, “Hey, look, here’s a scissors,” that you remember, “OH RIGHT, SCISSORS ARE A THING.”

And by the way, if you’ve been on the fence about enrolling in the 12-week program, the price is going up THIS MONTH. So this is your last chance to get in at the current rate — and get access to allllllll of the amazing information that’s waiting for you on the inside. Plus, the ONLY way to get access to Group Coaching is to be a part of the 12-week program — you can only unlock it once you’ve enrolled in The Free Mama Movement.

You don’t have to go through this alone, Mama, because we’re all here for you.  You don’t have to wonder what to do when you are overwhelmed anymore, because you have an entire community waiting to help!

P.S. I want to make sure you know you can have a successful business AND a fulfilling personal life. Which is why I am thrilled my friend Laura Meyer has put together an amazing FREE event called Scale with Joy. She’s interviewed me, along with two dozen other powerhouse leaders, on how YOU can have it ALL, and it won’t cost you a penny to check it all out.Sign up for free here!

P.P.S. Don’t miss your chance to enroll in The Free Mama Movement before the price goes up! 

Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s episode of FreeMamaTV – find out what companies hire virtual assistants!

Hey mama!

Did you know that there are business owners and companies out there that are desperate for your help? It’s true, and today, on FreeMamaTV I’ll tell you all about companies that hire virtual assistants.

You might be limiting your search to companies like the one you’re working at now — companies based in offices, or companies in your industry. But the truth is, there are so many other opportunities, and I’d hate for you to overlook them.

Simply moving outside your current industry can open up a whole new world, plus when you look at the number of online businesses that need help, the possibilities are limitless. Plus, I’m going to show you a couple of places you should be looking that you might never even have considered. 

Your earning potential? Just skyrocketed. 

Check out the episode, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about companies that hire virtual assistants.

In case you missed it, last week’s episode was about THE BEST Virtual Assistant jobs in 2019! And you can watch it right here!

Don’t forget to subscribe, so you don’t miss a single episode!

Last week I shared my three tips for doing the really scary stuff – and I got really honest with you about the fears that I’ve had to work through. Did you miss that? It’s ok – read it here!

Did you know that the first time I did a Facebook live, I was so scared that I peed my pants?

Okay, maybe that’s a little more information than I normally share, but it’s the truth — and I want you to know it. Because I was talking to a Free Mama a few days ago, and she told me, “Well, of course this all works for you. You’re not scared of anything!”

I laughed out loud.

A lot of things scare me, because — hello! — I’m human. But I’ve learned, over the years, to work with my fear, rather than letting it paralyze me.  I’ve learned how to embrace fear.

I use logic. 

When that fear reaction kicks in, I make a really conscious effort to use the logical part of my brain. I think about experiences I’ve had — and lived through — before, and draw on those experiences. I look at the things I’ve managed to do successfully before, and I let that proof lift me up. I focus on the things I do know how to do, and build on that knowledge.

When I started thinking about the 3-day Free Mama Retreat, I was terrified — it’s kind of a big deal to ask 100 women to fly in from all over! But when I turned to my logical brain, I acknowledged that I worked as a successful event planner for years. I know how to build a thriving community. I know how to inspire women to take action. And armed with that logic, I pushed past the fear and started planning.

I ask for help.

It’s completely natural to be afraid of something new, something high-stakes, that you’ve never done before. But you’re probably not the very first person in the world to try it, right? There’s most likely someone who has successfully done the thing you’re afraid of doing, so why not ask that person for help?

I look to coaches and mentors in my business and my life. Whenever I’m facing something that I’ve never done, when I feel like I don’t know where to start, I always consult someone who has walked the path before me. They know where the obstacles are — and how to move past them.  

I remember my why.

There are days whenI feel overwhelmed. When what I need to do next seems so utterly impossible that a tiny part of me whispers, “You can’t do this. It’ll never work.”

Those are the days I have to go back to my why. The reason I started this whole thing in the first place. The feeling I had when I bought this house, and made a promise to my daughter that I would walk her to school every day. 

Walking Daphne (and now Henry!) to school, being present for Audrey, having the time for my husband — these matter to me. They drive me to push straight through the fear when there’s no other way. They taught me how to embrace fear. Are you ready to learn how to embrace fear?

Think it through, Mama. What’s the worst that can happen?

And if you do pee your pants, you’re in good company. 😉

Don’t forget to watch the latest episode of FreeMamaTV – the best VA jobs of 2019!

P.S. We have just a few spots left for the Free Mama Retreat — but the tickets are going fast. Snag your spot today!

Need a side hustle? These are the most in-demand opportunities of virtual assistant jobs worldwide!

Hard truth, mama:

There are a LOT of VAs out there. But the good news is that certain skills are more in demand than EVER, and we’ve got the details for you on this week’s episode of FreeMamaTV!

We’re rolling back the curtain on an inside look at the best opportunities for you — the jobs that companies need the most help with right now, and how you can master the skills you need to get hired fast with all virtual assistant jobs worldwide!

Want to know what services to offer — or what exactly a VA even does? Everything you need to know is right here, from what a VA can do for clients to the top trends in what’s needed right now with virtual assistant jobs worldwide.

Don’t forget to watch last month’s episode on how to become a social media manager!

Tune in today if you want to know how to break in and land that first — or next — client.  Be sure to subscribe to catch every single episode of FreeMamaTV! You will also get access to a checklist that will allow you to find out what skills that you have TODAY that busy entrepreneurs are desperately in need of! Make sure to stay tuned to the end!

The power of pausing, mama.

You know that thing where you’re talking to someone and then this awkward silence fills the space between you, and you don’t know what to do with yourself?

Now, imagine for a moment, that the person you’re talking to is… yourself. And the silence fills you, and you can’t figure out how to make yourself more comfortable.

Has Lauren developed a personality disorder or lost her marbles?

Well, not quite, but I have been struggling lately with pausing. Here’s what I mean. 

You might have noticed that I’m all about action. I don’t like to sit around — I like to move forward. Constantly. I make a decision, and I implement that decision pretty much immediately. 

This means that sometimes, I make a decision, and start taking action, and then months later realize that I actually needed to take a different action — and I’m suddenly halfway down a path I didn’t really want to be on. For me, realizing this, and recognizing that it’s easy for me to view pausing as inaction has been a revelation.

I’ve had to change my thinking and reframe that pause. It’s not that I’m not making a decision or taking action; it’s that I’m giving myself the space to determine if this is truly the right decision for my business, if this action is aligned with my goals. 

For me, these pauses are wildly uncomfortable, but I’m slowly learning to live with them. 

Your version of the pause might be completely different from mine — but I bet there’s something that makes you consistently uncomfortable. 

Maybe your version of the pause is calling yourself a freelancer, talking about your business, or feeling good about charging people money for your work.

There’s something that makes you wildly uncomfortable, right? Something that you’re thinking about right now, and maybe you’re grinding your back teeth or holding your breath or feeling that discomfort in the pit of your stomach just from thinking about it.

I get it, Mama. Because I feel it, too. 

Here’s what I’m learning — and maybe it’ll help you.

It’s okay to feel uncomfortable. It’s legitimate that I’m struggling with something I’m not naturally good at, and that I have to exercise this muscle to improve. Just like any other skill, we can learn to be okay with the things that make us uncomfortable, and we can get better at them.  The power of the pause.

For me, the pauses — uncomfortable as they are — let me reflect on my values. It’s not enough to say that I prioritize my family, I need to make sure my actions are in line with that. And sometimes, for me, that means taking a breath and not doing something that “everyone says I should do.”

Maybe for you it’s telling that family friend that you will charge him for that website work, because that’s the action that’s in line with your values — uncomfortable as it is the first time you say it out loud.

Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is key — because if we keep doing the same things, we’re never going to be able to grow. Worse, we’ll build businesses that don’t truly serve our needs or align with what we want.

What’s making you uncomfortable right now? And how are you learning to be okay with that discomfort? I’d love to hear your thoughts — we’re sharing them in the Facebook group, so please drop a comment!

Here’s to embracing discomfort and learning the power of pausing, Mama!

P.S. I’m SO EXCITED about the speaker we’ve JUST CONFIRMED for the Free Mama Retreat. Stay tuned for the big reveal!

So you’re ready to rock this virtual administrative consultant gig and work from home. You’re only missing one tiny thing: clients.  So, how to get clients as a freelancer?

That’s where today’s FreeMamaTV playlist comes in — think of it as the Greatest Hits Album for Finding Great Clients.

Start off with a true classic: this episode on finding clients on Facebook. With this strategy, you’ll be able to build a huge network of business owners who can’t wait to work with you!

And don’t miss out on this episode, which shows you what NOT to do when you’re connecting with clients, so you can get them to say YES fast.

Plus, you’ll also want to check out our very popular episode all about online business scams, and how you can stay safe. 

You won’t find a more profitable playlist around, Mama! Cheers to learning how to get clients as a freelancer!

Need to rewind a step and learn how to make money online? Don’t worry, I have you covered in last week’s blog post! Head over to check it out!

Have you ever just wanted someone to tell you you’re doing a great job, mama? Have you struggled with finding validation in motherhood?

Back when I was at my 9-5, my colleagues and my boss would compliment my work fairly regularly. And it made me feel really good. 

The comments were simple — “Wow, this is awesome!” “Great job!” “I’m so impressed with this,” — but they meant a lot to me. 

When I left the 9-5 and started working with clients, I also craved that validation. Sometimes, it even felt like that “You’re amazing” meant even more to me than the money I got in exchange for doing the work. 

But when you’re the boss of your business, you don’t always get that validation from others. There isn’t always going to be someone to come by and tell you, “Hey, you’re really showing up and being consistent! You rock!”

It’s kind of like motherhood. 

I mean, really, when was the last time your kids told you, “Hey, mom? AWESOME job there. Your laundry skills are ON POINT.” 

Yeah. Me too.

The thing is, though, we need that positive reinforcement. When someone tells us we’re doing a good job, that everything will be okay, that we know more than we think we do, and that we’re making a difference — those things feed the soul. And they give us something deeper, something that straight up cash money doesn’t always provide. 

I’m working behind the scenes on the first ever Free Mama Retreat. I have a background in event planning — but I’ve never hosted my own three-day event before. For me, having the chance to talk to people who have done this before — and hearing them say, “Hey, you’re doing a great job here” is so, so, so important. 

It’s not that I need people to tell me that I’m wonderful. But I do need someone to let me know that I’m not screwing everything up, to reassure me that I’m on the right path, that I’m actually going to pull off an incredible experience for 100 amazing women.

That’s also part of what I want for you at the Free Mama Retreat — to meet the people who will validate you and help you with finding validation in motherhood. To hear from the women who have walked this path, and who can tell you, from experience, that yes, you’re doing it right. Yes, you’re rocking this out. Yes, your success is inevitable, and you are awesome.

And just in case no one has told you yet today, let me be the first: You are doing an absolutely incredible job, Mama. 

Now, go look in the mirror and repeat that out loud. 

P.S. Are you booked for the Free Mama Retreat yet?

It must be awesome to be a blogger, right, mama?

You wake up at noon, tap a post out on the keyboard, and money rolls into your bank account. 

Or not.

The truth is that most bloggers don’t make any money in the first year of blogging — and very few make a sustainable income even after three or four years. In this FreeMamaTV episode, you’ll learn what it’s really like to be a blogger  and how to make money online without blogging!

— and you’ll see that it’s not quite the fast track to riches that the Internet would have you believe. 

So what CAN you do to earn money? Well, nearly every successful blogger — along with all the other business owners out there — hires virtual assistants to help them get the work done. Here’s how you can get in on some of that action.

And when you’re ready to get started as a VA, here’s your must-see TV: how to figure out who your best clients will be! It’s a great way to make money online without blogging!

And if you’re thinking, “I don’t have enough time to watch these!” then you need to watch my FreeMamaTV episodes on how to get MORE in LESS time!