Juggling Act: Strategies for Achieving Work-Life Balance

Welcome, fellow life acrobats! If you've ever felt like you're juggling a million responsibilities and desperately trying to avoid dropping the ball, you're not alone. But it's time to debunk the myth that you can't be an exceptional employee and an outstanding parent simultaneously. Spoiler alert: You absolutely can, and you're about to own the stage.

Growing up, my parents divorced when I was young. During a significant part of my childhood, my mom navigated the challenging journey of single parenthood, raising three kids. To make ends meet, she hustled tirelessly at work, evolving that hustle into a full blown workaholic. Now, even though she's reached a point where she doesn't need to work as hard, breaking the habit of living to work has proven to be quite the challenge for her.

When I ventured into motherhood, I found myself at a pivotal moment in my marketing career. Before then, my aspirations soared high – I envisioned myself climbing the corporate ladder to become a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). I craved being THE BOSS, but over the years, a profound realization struck me: that's not my dream. My true dream unfolds at home, where every day is filled with shared laughter and tears. I don't need to command a team to be A BOSS!

This journey has been a profound lesson, challenging societal norms, and inspiring me to redefine what success truly means in the juggling act of work and motherhood.

Now, let's dive into strategies that celebrate the notion that being a BOSS transcends the confines of a boardroom.

Perspective is Your Superpower:

Repeat after me: "I am a boss, at work and at home." Confidence is the tightrope that keeps you steady. Own your worth and let that confidence radiate in both arenas.

You Define YOUR Success:

Success is a personalized journey, not a one-size-fits-all achievement. Define what success means to you in both your professional and parenting roles. Spoiler alert: You're already a success just for attempting this juggling act. We have been programmed to view everything as a climb upwards and that everyone is competition. I choose to believe growth is not linear. It is a cycle!

Calendar Mastery:

Rule your schedule; don't let it rule you. Use your calendar like the weapon of mass productivity it can be. Schedule work tasks, family time, and yes, even "me time."

Prioritize Like a Pro:

Not all tasks are created equal. Identify your high-priority tasks for both work and home and focus on what truly matters. Sometimes, it's okay to let the less critical balls drop. I can't tell you how many meetings I have missed because my kids have a recital at school or dentist appointment. Let your coworkers catch you up on the details, dont let your kids catch you up on what you missed that was important to them.

Boundaries Are Your Best Friends:

I preach boundaries a lot. Some people see boundaries as a direct insult. Realize your boundaries have nothing to do with them, and everything to do with putting what you need first. Draw a clear line between work and personal time. Establish boundaries and communicate them confidently.

Quality Over Quantity:

My love language is quality time. To me, there is nothing more important than creating memories through experiences vs. things. It's not about the hours spent; it's about the quality of those hours. Be present with your little audience, and let them see the star parent you truly are.

Delegate and Collaborate:

You're not a solo act. Enlist the help of your partner, family, and even colleagues. Delegate tasks at home. Even the kids like to get involved in decision making and having more age appropriate responsibilities. Make sure you collaborate at work, successful ideas don't just come from one mind. It truly takes a village in everything we do!

The Power of 'No':

I would be lying if I said I was an expert at this. I have a problem with committing to too many things until I am drowning in "obligations". I am slowly learning, saying 'no' isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of knowing your limits. Be selective with your commitments, both at work and in your personal life. Again, quality trumps quantity.

Give Yourself Grace:

Balls may drop, and that's okay. Forgive yourself, learn from it, and remember: perfection is an illusion. There are some nights where I am so exhausted that I cave, order pizza, and we watch TV until bed time. Rather than viewing that as a failure, I choose to realize that is not an every day thing and applaud the fact that we spent some relaxing time together and went to bed with full bellies no matter how deflated mom felt.

Remember, you're not just balancing; you're orchestrating a grand symphony. Be the ringmaster of your circus, defy societal norms, and show the world that being a boss-ass parent AND employee is possible!