In the beginning of my work-at-home career, I had illusions of myself as the businesswoman in high heels, stockings, perfectly done makeup, hair & nails, toting a beautiful leather briefcase filled with important papers. I actually worked this way for a while. It was difficult. No phone calls without shoes, hair & makeup meant that I had to "dress for work" each day. Sort of like the Old World, where I had dress codes and rules to go by.

Who would want to duplicate that? Well, since my business requires me to find others who want to duplicate my efforts,

I found that I was a "hard act to follow". In some circles, that is a good thing, in MLM it is like having the plague. I did well, and I worked full time hours. I single-handedly supported my two children and myself with my MLM income.

Then the question was raised, "Is this what YOU REALLY WANT?" Well, I had to admit it wasn't. What I really wanted was freedom to be the wife, mother and mentor that God intended me to be. I wanted so badly not to be too busy that I was unavailable to the most important people in my life.

I began as a Watkins Associate and quickly grew my business to the manager level. In studying the materials that Watkins provides for us to train as managers, I found my true mission. One chapter of the training suggests that you "Create a vision of your business and your life". As I did that, I realized those heels, makeup, hair & manicured nails didn't really fit.

As I journeyed inward and admitted what was really important to me, I found that I had four basic mission areas. They are Family, Home, Spiritual & Financial.

For my family, I want to be everything to them; I want to be the parent that they will want to be when they become parents. My children will feel blessed that they are mine. My husband will have no doubts that I am his wife, and will also feel blessed.

As the mother, I am the mainstay, the grounded influence; I will create and maintain a loving and nurturing environment within our home. I will encourage all to seek God's will in all that we do.

I take responsibility for the physical and spiritual nourishing as well as the education of my family. I encourage my husband to be our spiritual leader. I pray continuously to be a submissive wife. My children will learn compassion and balance by my example.

I will not over commit my time. My Family will be my priority. Spiritual growth will be our goal.Financial balance will be our key. Our home will be our refuge.

With all that being said, I have found that my work at home mission statement has changed greatly from the past. Rykas and aprons replace heels and hose, perfect hair means a ponytail and makeup is a simple few strokes of a few "tools". My nails usually have garden dirt under them and a satchel that contains important things such as my camera, tissues, Band-Aids, trail mix, and sometimes a Barbie or two has replaced my briefcase.

Working at home is not a destination; it is definitely a journey, one that changes with every second. I love working at home, and have found that working at home is not necessarily about creating a different image, but smoothly blending a career into the mesh of your family and home life.

Mary Engel Ordinary People