The Domestic Engineer
Now, this post is supposed to be tongue in cheek, but at the same time a little thought-provoking.
At-home moms are worth an estimated $136,000 a year. Now, what if "domestic engineer" really was a paid career (rather than a rewarding life)? Would you hear Donald Trump say, "You're Fired!"?
Lets look at some ways a professional needs to be...well....professional to be a success in their career. Do we wives measure up in our own career? Or would we be fired?
Appearance: Who says looks don't count? To be bluntly honest, they do. I've never seen a lawyer appear in court wearing sweats. Now, there is something to wearing clothes appropriate to the job, but are sweats and frump necessary? We at-home wives should be dressed for success! Besides, getting dressed and ready for the day helps the day move along better and we feel better about ourselves!
Education: We all know that without that college degree, it's really hard to get a good paying job. It doesn't matter if someone majored in beer and partying, that piece of paper is what matters. My own hubby has been passed up for promotions because he doesn't have that diploma, when the reality of it is, when the diploma-bearing kid enters the job the first thing they say to him is, "Forget what you learned in college. It's worthless out here in the real world." And they have to train him anyway. However, as an at-home wife, we have the upper hand in that we can educate ourselves to our fullest potential. We can learn all sorts of domestic skills and general household well-being. Are you continuing your domestic education?
Experience: Employers like someone with experience. Many women today unfortunately don't have the experience with households. So, if you're not married or newly married, or returning to the home, start gaining some experience.
Financial skills: Your home is like your company. You try to keep it profitable and out of the red zone. Are you doing what you can to make sure things are financially ok? If what you're doing in the home were translated to a business, would you be fired for mishandling of finances? Would you be fired for sneaky spending or pulling funds from one account to serve your own purpose? Do you go above your business partner's head (husband) and spend money and just label it under "misc. expenses?" Be careful!
Work Ethic: Do you have a good work ethic? Do you cheerfully perform your tasks. Do you enjoy your job? Do you treat your co-workers (family) with respect and kindness? Are you eager to get your job done and feel satisfaction when you do? Work ethic is important, too. Someone with a poor work ethic is usually devalued in a company and eventually driven out or put out.
Leadership: In the business world, someone with leadership skills is highly valued. This someone steps forward during problems and gets the job done. This person involves the co-workers (family) without being a dictator about it. This person has good foresight and doesn't micro-manage. This person also listens and leads by example. Can you do that in your home?
Work Performance: Do you walk the walk or just talk the talk? Do you just "show up" to work and only do what's minimally required of you? Or do you take the job and run with it? Are you efficient? Are you effective? Are you an asset? Do you try to do more than what is required of you?
How do you measure up?
Can you think of any other analogies?
At-home moms are worth an estimated $136,000 a year. Now, what if "domestic engineer" really was a paid career (rather than a rewarding life)? Would you hear Donald Trump say, "You're Fired!"?
Lets look at some ways a professional needs to be...well....professional to be a success in their career. Do we wives measure up in our own career? Or would we be fired?
Appearance: Who says looks don't count? To be bluntly honest, they do. I've never seen a lawyer appear in court wearing sweats. Now, there is something to wearing clothes appropriate to the job, but are sweats and frump necessary? We at-home wives should be dressed for success! Besides, getting dressed and ready for the day helps the day move along better and we feel better about ourselves!
Education: We all know that without that college degree, it's really hard to get a good paying job. It doesn't matter if someone majored in beer and partying, that piece of paper is what matters. My own hubby has been passed up for promotions because he doesn't have that diploma, when the reality of it is, when the diploma-bearing kid enters the job the first thing they say to him is, "Forget what you learned in college. It's worthless out here in the real world." And they have to train him anyway. However, as an at-home wife, we have the upper hand in that we can educate ourselves to our fullest potential. We can learn all sorts of domestic skills and general household well-being. Are you continuing your domestic education?
Experience: Employers like someone with experience. Many women today unfortunately don't have the experience with households. So, if you're not married or newly married, or returning to the home, start gaining some experience.
Financial skills: Your home is like your company. You try to keep it profitable and out of the red zone. Are you doing what you can to make sure things are financially ok? If what you're doing in the home were translated to a business, would you be fired for mishandling of finances? Would you be fired for sneaky spending or pulling funds from one account to serve your own purpose? Do you go above your business partner's head (husband) and spend money and just label it under "misc. expenses?" Be careful!
Work Ethic: Do you have a good work ethic? Do you cheerfully perform your tasks. Do you enjoy your job? Do you treat your co-workers (family) with respect and kindness? Are you eager to get your job done and feel satisfaction when you do? Work ethic is important, too. Someone with a poor work ethic is usually devalued in a company and eventually driven out or put out.
Leadership: In the business world, someone with leadership skills is highly valued. This someone steps forward during problems and gets the job done. This person involves the co-workers (family) without being a dictator about it. This person has good foresight and doesn't micro-manage. This person also listens and leads by example. Can you do that in your home?
Work Performance: Do you walk the walk or just talk the talk? Do you just "show up" to work and only do what's minimally required of you? Or do you take the job and run with it? Are you efficient? Are you effective? Are you an asset? Do you try to do more than what is required of you?
How do you measure up?
Can you think of any other analogies?
Comments
I have been trying to get in the habit of being more responsible for my "job" at home lately and this is a great check list.
Thanks!