What I applied to parenthood that I learnt from ‘business-hood’

My first baby was born almost ten years ago – I started my integrated marketing and communications agency in 2007 and like any new parent, I had no idea what I was doing, I read all the books, dealt with a few disasters, spent all my money at the types of shops that have their own car park, worked around the clock and tried to navigate a brave new world.

My human baby, my gorgeous little girl, was born one year ago and now with a pre-teen business and a toddler I’ve noticed a cross-over of challenges and successes. There are many lessons from business-hood that I have applied to parent-hood and vice-versa.

1. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a network to support a business
2. You cannot do this alone and there is a tonne of help out there, you just have to grab it
3. Little people, like businesses, need to learn to walk on their own
4. You’re better off to outsource the things you can’t do and focus on the things you can
5. Focus on one thing (or person) at a time,multitasking means you aren’t doing anything well
6. There’s a bucket load of information out there, take in good advice, but make it your own; there’s no right way – just your way
7. Be OK with making mistakes; you’ll make many
8. Consider that the joy is in the journey and there is always something to learn
9. You’ll get sorted and you’ll feel great, and then something will happen and you’ll be in turmoil (usually in the same day) – that’s life, accept it
10. There’s never enough time to sleep

Zadro can develop a strategic communications road map for your business. For more information visit: www.zadroagency.com.au