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My ultimate goal with Mompowerment is to enable companies to become more balance friendly to help working moms have balance and to directly empower working moms to create the balance they crave. We work too hard as women to step away from our careers when we become moms, but we still want to be the moms we want to be. And this empowerment is the foundation of mompowerment to me.
Two years ago, almost to the day, I launched my first book, Mompowerment, and last year I launched my second book, The Mompowerment Guide to Work-life Balance. As I look back on these two years and the years prior to that while I was researching for the books, I learned a lot. I’m sharing a bit more about the whole concept of mompowerment as someone who lives this each day and studies it regularly.
It comes down to working moms are amazing. While the juggle is real, working mamas make things happen. And I’m thrilled to be part of the solution to help companies and working moms shift their thinking and actually take action.
So many stories
The journey to creating Mompowerment has been interesting and incredible. I’m still surprised by how willing the 110+ working moms I interviewed were when I asked them to share their tips, insights, and advice. They shared their stories and the personal details you share with friends. I heard about sadness, depression, divorce, loss, and frustration. I also listened to stories that showed empowerment, boldness, balance, fulfillment, and happiness. The stories gave me hope and ideas.
And these women’s voices came from almost every industry you can imagine. Some are employees and some are entrepreneurs. Some employees work for large companies and others are part of a small business. So, it’s not just one industry or type of role that allows for work-life balance. That in itself brought me joy and relief. It was doable in almost every industry, although definitely easier in some versus others.
Saying yes
After finishing the interviews and before I had even written a single word of the first book, I did a talk at TEDxSMU. As working moms we make the effort to say no to protect our time and energy. And I do that regularly. In this case, though, I said “YES!” And the opportunity to talk about the holistic perspective of why now the right time to create more part-time work opportunities for professional working moms was scary and a thrill, all in the same moment.
I had to weigh the pros and cons, understanding how this opportunity fit into other things. And this comparison and analysis have been something I see over and over in my life and that of others. Protecting my time and knowing when to say yes and when to pass. That balance can be hard and it takes practice. I’ve said yes to some things that I should have walked away from and some things I regret not doing. I’m a big believer in things happen in their own time, though, so hopefully they will reappear on my path.
Really, though, saying yes to this whole experience has allowed me to give this TED talk, write two award-winning books (one of which is also a bestseller on Amazon), and help countless women to make changes that ultimately get them to a better place in their lives. And this year I’ve also started hearing from working dads about the impact of these stories, tips, and advice in their lives.
Work-life balance is not a myth
I hear from time to time that balance is a myth. That work-life balance is not attainable, so we need to let it go and stop trying. And then someone comes up with a phrase that implies balance without using the words.
What I learned from the amazing women who I spoke with is that work-life balance is doable. The idea that it’s something we can work into our approach to life is the basis of Mompowerment. Balance likely looks different than you originally thought, but it’s doable. I heard stories of success and versatility that inspired me and still do. I got at least an idea or two from every conversation I had as I did the interviews over three years. Consider all I read and the research I still do, I’m still learning. I find nuggets all the time that I incorporate into my life.
While I don’t believe that a 50/50 split each day is something you can do regularly, I do think that balance can happen over the long-term. Some days will be more about work and on some days you’ll find yourself focusing on life. And that is absolutely fine. Think long-term over the course of a week, month, quarter, or even the year. Remove the pressure of this unreasonable 50/50 daily magic that is rare for any working mom, regardless of the number of hours she works.
Companies and flexibility
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed that more companies are starting to give employees, not just working moms, more flexibility. (Flexibility is really what working moms are looking for, based on my research.) And that is amazing to see. I’ve had conversations with employers in all sorts of industries where managers and senior leaders are finding ways to enable employees to have greater work-life balance.
And companies seem to be realizing the importance of enabling employees to have greater balance. Some companies recognize how working moms are being sandwiched between caring for their own children and their aging family members. Other companies are looking at what Millennials need and want, which is driving change. And some companies see the benefit of both of these perspectives for today’s and tomorrow’s employees.
This need that companies have is part of why I’m pivoting a bit more to incorporate more of company needs into the Mompowerment mission. Truly, in enabling more balance at companies, more working moms will create more of the balance they crave.
How will you take action?
I end most of my workshops with this: Your work-life balance is in your hands. Your significant other, mom, sister, manager, colleague, etc. isn’t going to create what you want and need. You can do this, though. Decide what you want to change and take action. Decide what small steps you can take today. And then take action again tomorrow. Often, work-life balance is all about small shifts that make a big impact over time.
There are different books, blogs, courses, organizations, etc. to help you. What action will you take to create greater work-life balance that fills your specific needs?
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With all of that in mind, I thank you for your continued support of Mompowerment. I’m glad you find the books, 1:1 session, and blogs helpful. I look forward to continuing to help this community of companies and working moms (and dads) take action and make changes.
As I continue to have conversations, I’d love to know what types of tools and resources you’re looking for. I always want to serve my audience to ensure that what I share and create are things you can use.
Grab a copy of Mompowerment or The Mompowerment Guide to Work-life Balance today! These are affiliate links.
