23 Lessons I Learned in 2023

Chrissy Klauer McGarry?

2023 was a year full of growth for me, both in my personal life and in my career. Balancing my roles as a working mom and a leader wasn’t easy, but looking back, I’m amazed at all the experiences I’ve been blessed with. Reflecting on these moments has shown me just how much I’ve learned and grown. Every challenge and win taught me something new.?

Here are some of the highlights:?

Moms, tap into your village.?

In 2023, I hired a nanny. Prior to this, my husband, Matt, and I were juggling childcare and work-from-home responsibilities simultaneously. There was a lot of give and take during that time, and it may sound funny, but that responsibility strengthened our relationship; we communicated our own needs, saw how hard the other one worked (as a parent and as a professional), and were each other’s rocks through all the curveballs parenting can present. Working moms do a lot. But 2023 taught me that parents need the steadfast support of their “village,” whether it is a partner, team member(s), family, or friends to help them. I don’t know how any parent can do it without a team. I certainly could not!?

Being a hockey mom takes coordination.

I couldn’t be happier than when I see the way my son thrives while playing hockey. That being said, my newfound identity of ‘hockey mom’ has taught me to coordinate—whether driving to multiple practices a week or triple-checking that Leo has all his gear, it can easily get overwhelming, so go easy on yourself until you find your coordination. An added plus I was not expecting is that I’ve become friends with a ton of hockey moms who truly amazing women!

Do your due diligence.?

Having a stellar diligence team helped Second Front secure funding for 2024. Full stop. I could not have faced our Series B funding round without their brilliant minds (and organization!). Their hard work is such a testament to being prepared, organized, and motivated to grow. This past year has profoundly demonstrated 2F’s mission, our founders’ vision, and the incredible future #DefenseTech is headed toward.

Snacks: Never forget them. For you or for your kiddo(s).?

Hanger is real.?

Dress for success.

2023 was the year I decided to elevate my personal style. I’ve never considered myself to be a “fashion” gal, but I came to the conclusion that the way you show up as a leader is just as important as the things you accomplish as a leader. I learned that wearing clothes that help me feel confident not only supports my leadership, but also allows me to focus on the task at hand without worrying about what I am wearing (a vulnerable confession, but I think we’ve all been there!).?Go find your hype gal or guy, Tali Kogan is mine.

You can’t please everyone on the internet. Show up anyway.?

Putting yourself out there on the internet is terrifying. Last year I made the extra effort to share updates about my career and personal life on social media, and though the majority of the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, there will always be a few who throw water on your effort. But I am here to tell you to ignore them. It’s inevitable that you won’t please everyone; accepting this is freeing and a true exercise in authenticity.?And I got Jessica Zweig to thank for that.

Embrace your age.?

The true beauty in getting older is embracing it. Turning 35 allowed me to graciously reflect on all of my blessings and how far I’ve come in such a short amount of time. Remember—five years ago, you dreamed about where you are now.?

Putting yourself first is okay.?

Six weeks prior to a planned surgery, I traveled domestically and internationally almost non-stop, hopping from planes and hotels, rinse, repeat. Unsurprisingly, that amount of travel ended up making me extremely sick. In hindsight, my body was clearly giving me signs that I had pushed it too far. The silver lining in this experience has been that it cemented the importance of taking care of myself and noticing when I need to pause and take a step back from the hustle.?

Try your best to stick to your routines.( But give yourself grace when life surprises you.)

No one loves a routine more than I do. This past year, I feel like I refined a morning routine that allows me to optimize my time at work and with my family. Regardless of how perfect your routine is, life happens! Don’t beat yourself up if your routine changes. Give yourself grace and loving kindness before getting back on track.?

Harmony > balance.?

People act like achieving work-life balance is the magical checkbox you need to solve your problems, but we all know that’s not true. My outlook on work, mom life, and taking care of myself changed when I stopped looking for balance and rather started aiming for harmony. With this approach, the things in my life that needed more attention one week, got it. And I never felt like I was sacrificing too much to achieve this harmonious practice.?

Reflect on how far you’ve come.

During a live podcast appearance with Kelly Poquiz Burke , I was asked about my career trajectory after Salesforce and I had an epiphany—I realized that I’d entered into motherhood, became a C-Suite executive, and maintained a loving relationship all since that position. In that moment, I felt proud that believing in myself and my worthiness paid off in the long? run.?It was a pretty serial experience to have live on her Career Slay show.

Listen to podcasts, and listen to more podcasts.

In 2006, only 22% of American adults knew what podcasts were. Fast forward to 2022, and this awareness has skyrocketed to an impressive 79%. It’s not new news that podcasts are more prominent than ever, but I’ve found that listening to podcasts can be a calming part of my daily routine.?

Spoiler alert: everyone is human.?

Embracing this essential truth gave me so much clarity and inner peace. As humans, we are not in competition with each other. We’re all doing our best, and we’re all in this together—even when our paths look different.?

Read more books!?

Books will always be the ultimate gateway to growth, knowledge, and a better understanding of the world, both on a personal and career level. As I progress in my career, I increasingly rely on books to support my leadership and provide guidance to build upon my experience. Plus, there is nothing better than having a good book as part of my nighttime routine. If you’re in need of book recommendations, check out My Top Book Recommendations for Leaders.?

Find confidence by creating a supportive network.?

Surrounding yourself with people who uplift you with words of affirmation make all the difference.? This past year, I was fortunate enough to be a guest on the So She Slays podcast where I discussed some of my strategies to overcome imposter syndrome. Sometimes, I’ll get off a stressful call and hear my husband yell, “Yeah, girl!” in encouragement. It’s that kind of silly encouragement that keeps you going, sometimes, you know??

Sometimes even the best plans have to be scrapped.?

I’m a planner. But recently, that “planning” was tested when my flight to D.C. was delayed and forced me to change—literally.? I needed to change out of my “plane clothes” before heading to my event. I took a deep breath and rushed to the back of the plane, trying not to panic. The flight attendants kindly helped me navigate getting ready in the tiny bathroom at the back of the plane. I walked off the plane feeling ready to tackle my day with confidence and a new set of friends thanks to my in-air hype squad. It just goes to show that being flexible and accepting life as it comes can have some unexpected benefits.?

It’s never too late to learn.

Going back to school for my MBA was a significant step towards personal and professional growth, and it provided a structured framework for learning, networking, and gaining access to valuable resources, including a new appreciation for books! It’s never too late to learn something new to continue to grow and thrive in your career.?

And on that note, connect with old friends and celebrate each other’s wins!

Five years after earning my MBA, I had the chance to meet up with some of my University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business classmates. Since graduating, we’ve all headed out on vastly different career paths, and it was so fun to connect and hear about what this ambitious and successful group is up to. Our paths are different, but there are still so many shared experiences that we can connect and support each other with and celebrate each other’s wins—there is power in uplifting amazing women doing amazing things!?

Switch up your remote work spot.?

Being fully remote has its perks and its challenges. One way I stay productive while working from home is making sure to change up my work environment if I need a brain refresh—it’s more effective than you’d think!??

Empowered women empower women.

I had the privilege of being a guest on Aniza Brown ???????? and Michaela ?? Flatau podcast, Motherhackers. I loved getting to chat with two empowered women making waves in the defense technology industry. It’s moments like these when I’m reminded of the power that comes with uplifting your fellow female peers and understanding that the more you lift them up, the higher all of you will soar.?

Prioritize fun team building activities.?

Team bonding is essential for a successful group of professionals leading a business or company, but it doesn’t have to be corporate team building activities—find something fun and productive! Last year, some of my 2F colleagues joined me for an early morning Sculpt class at CorePower Yoga . As a former Yoga Sculpt and Spin instructor, it filled me with so much joy to work out and have fun with my peers. It just goes to show that bonding activities like these can go a long way in boosting morale and community in the workplace.

You can do it all.

Don’t be afraid to dream big. Set high goals and know that you have the strength and skills to achieve them. I sometimes have to pinch myself thinking about the dreams I set for myself and how I’ve been able to reach many of them with a bit of persistence and a great support system. You can do it all!?

But also, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

It is not a weakness to ask for help, rather a superpower. Sometimes it feels like we’re all expected to be able to do it all—especially working moms. We are expected to manage our time like an octopus with hundreds of tentacles, juggling anything and everything with perfection. This is your sign to start setting boundaries and knowing your limits. And remember: asking for help WILL make you a better mom, dad, co-worker, friend in 2024! Cheers to that!?