What led you to begin Catholicmom.com and what have been 2-3 surprises that have come with the site's enormous success?
I began CatholicMom.com back in 1999 asa hobby in an effort to learn more about both my faith and parenting.*I had volunteered to take on the webmaster duties at my children'sparochial school and began contemplating the idea of using my newlylearned web skills to connect with other mothers around the country.*
I am constantly amazed and humbled by the gifts and surprises thatcome from being affiliated with CatholicMom.com.* The first surprise isone I credit to the Holy Spirit and to the goodness of people - it'sthe willingness of people to step forward and to contribute their workfreely towards the end goal of making our site a success. We are unableto financially compensate our writers and contributors, and yet we haveover thirty people from all over the world who regularly volunteer theirtime because they believe in the mission of the website and our effortsto celebrate faith and family.
The second surprise is the phenomenal growth the site hasexperienced.* I am humbled by the fact that we have readers from aroundthe world who regularly visit the site to read our columns and downloadour free children's content.* We have never spent a dollar onadvertising and the site has completely grown by word of mouth.* It's ablessing to receive emails and know that you play a small part inhelping families around the world.
Which types of productivity issues do you feel that parents are dealing with?
Ithink parents are often overwhelmed because we truly want to give ourbest to both our families and to our careers or other endeavors.* Weare all trying to cram more and more activity into each day, whetherthat is our own work or carting our children off to their many schoolevents and activities.* We have difficulty setting limits on ourcommitments, and as a result may spread ourselves too thin.* I speakfrom experience!
How has productivityathome.com helped or challenged your own awareness of productivity?
I write on personal productivity because itmotivates me to try to be more effective in my own use of time, notbecause I'm by any means an expert on the topic.* I believe in workingharder, not longer!* I find that writing for Productivity @ Home keepsme abreast of the latest trends, gadgets and techniques and puts me incontact with people in the field who are doing great things to make ourworld a better place.* I look at productivity from a multi-facetedapproach, including everything from work and time management tolife-long learning and health and fitness.* If I let one aspect of mypersonal productivity efforts go, the rest of the areas suffer withit.* Blogging on these topics every week challenges me to try a littleharder every day!
How does your faith help you to stay productive and manage projects?
Myfaith is at the core of everything I do and ultimately drives everyproject I undertake.* I need to continually ask myself whether myprojects contribute to being a more spiritual person and a better wife,mother, family member and friend.* If the answer to these questions is"no" then it's time to re-evaluate.*
Any other advice for busy families?
Just know that you are not in the struggle alone!* Take time to laugh,to play, to work, and especially to pray each day. Never assume thatsomeone else has all the answers - you don't know what really goes onin another family outside your own. * Let all you do be a sign of yourlove for God and for your family and you'll be on the right path.*
For more information about Lisa Hendey, visit CatholicMom or Productivity@Home.