![Woman relaxing with cup of tea](https://i0.wp.com/www.elicbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/woman-relaxing-at-home-relaxing-at-home.jpg?resize=237%2C158)
I have not been working at a ‘full-time’ job for a little over 7 months now. It’s been amazing, wonderful, inspiring, and restful. But still needing to live in reality, I just accepted a full-time position in my profession of faculty development.
In my ‘off’ time, I launched my online polymer jewelry store – ECB Designs – December 1st and actually sold a few items! ![purple polymer clay pendant](https://i0.wp.com/www.elicbrown.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/purplemood2.jpg?resize=300%2C300)
I’m also pursuing a certificate in Social Media Marketing at Northwestern University through a series of Coursera MOOCs. So part of my launch is also learning how to reach my target market through social marketing.
One thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to lose my momentum with ECB Designs. Creating polymer jewelry is one expression of my creative self that I find hugely fulfilling and ultimately a great destresser!
So how am I going to keep moving forward in starting this business while working full-time? Well I did what we all do and Googled it. Here’s what I found.
One of the top hits is Ryan Robinson’s 10 Steps to Start a Business While Working a Full-time Job
He has 10 great steps but the first two are the ones I want to focus on because it’s about time.
Step 1: Mental Preparation
- Accept that this will be tough in many ways
- Be prepared to make difficult sacrifices
Step 2:
- List all of the commitments you have and the amounts of time you devote to each
- Note the one you can afford to lessen you involvement
These are particularly pertinent to my situation because I’m a joiner! I love to get involved with everything (almost)! Book clubs, clay clubs, benefit causes, professional organizations, etc.
And I still operate under the perception that there are more that 24 hours in a day
AND (this is a biggie) I like my sleep! I NEED my sleep! I’m not good to be around if I don’t get my sleep!
So what to do:
- I know it’s going to be hard. For me the creating part of it is natural, but the marketing is the part that I will need to stick to a strict schedule.
- I will need to be very selective in the causes and groups I volunteer for.
Here’s the link to Ryan’s Infographic for the other 8 steps.
I will begin my new job in a few weeks. So I’m going to work through these two steps as I acclimate to the new position, new institution, and new town. So stayed tuned for the next installment of this story and more excellent finds on How to Start a Business While Working Full-time!