I feel very strongly that one of the ways I was able to create better work life balance for myself, was by reminding myself of this very thing. My 70% is someone else's 100%. That acknowledgement gave me permission to breathe. To slow down just a little. To stop hustling so hard.
Read More"I need to figure it out"
It's a phrase I hear frequently and I want to talk about it because it's sneaky and often drains your mental energy.
How? Because it's not specific.
It creates open loops and unanswered questions that your brain desperately wants to close. And that constant scanning and thinking in the background takes extra energy that most of us don't have to spare.
Here's what you should say instead.
Read MoreIn a recent conversation with Allison Tolman on her podcast, New Little Life, we talked about prioritizing and making time for the important things as a busy, working mom, including how to fit pumping into your day-to-day life.
Read MoreCoasting at work or quiet quitting is getting a lot of air time these days. But the truth is, working parents have gone in and out of phases of coasting for years as we navigate returning from parental leave, co-parenting with a partner's demanding work schedule, or just daycare illness season each fall/winter. It can be necessary at times and life/career-saving too. But what if you're stuck coasting because you think you don't have the time or energy that "leaning in" to your career will take? And what if the truth is, it doesn't take that much more?
Read MoreSo many ideas and expectations, so little time. Weekends can feel like an either/or decision: Do you plan the weekend out in advance? Or go with the flow, come what may? What if you didn't have to choose?
Read MoreAre you taking "photos" of your life so that someday in the future you can celebrate how much has changed? How much you've changed and grown? And are you taking the time to dream about what it is you want to "plant" in your life? Take the photos. Set your intentions. Make progress. Celebrate.
Read MoreIf there's one thing I've learned since becoming a mom, it's that everything changes - kids, jobs, schedules, feelings. And I've also learned that I can figure most things out when they do change. So whether you decide to continue working, to change jobs, to stay home, or go part-time, you will figure it out if it's what you want.
Read MoreDo you ever feel like you have to choose between giving your energy to work - throwing yourself into creating results, serving clients, or hitting billable hour quotas - but having nothing left for your family? Or giving your energy to your kids - thinking constantly about them and their needs, being really present and playing, or taking care of all the things for them - but having little left for the work your job requires? Break the cycle.
Read MoreHow many times a day do you think of something you need to do? It's no wonder our to-do lists grow faster than we can take action. But as much as you tell yourself that these things have to get done, that you have no choice but to do them, the reality is you'd rather do them than face the consequences.
Read MoreSwitching your energy and focus to productive work can be trying when you have been dealing with the demands of your children. Often, time carved out for work is the only alone time you have in your day - so you find yourself checking out a bit before jumping into productivity. You end up frustrated with yourself because you’ve lost valuable time aimlessly scrolling the internet or socials. Try these actionable steps to make the transition easier.
Read MoreWhen life throws us a curveball - like sick kids - the feeling of loss of control can be a bit overwhelming. Amidst putting out the fire, you may find yourself thinking “I should really be doing…” [fill in the blank with pretty much anything you have on your list of to-do’s]. A shift in your mindset during these chaotic times might be all you need to feel a bit better about your situation.
Read MoreYou’re a working mom. You have a lot to keep up with. You’ve purchased a new planner every year (or more). Only for them to end up in a pile collecting dust. Before you purchase your next new planner, there are some important questions to ask yourself to determine the reasons why you need one, the format that will work best, and how to use it successfully.
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