4 Tips for being a Powerhouse Working Mom!

Happy Mother’s Day… WEEK!!!

There is nothing better than celebrating moms.? At least that’s how I feel each Mother’s Day week when I hit the beach with my 5 sisters, 4 of whom are moms, to celebrate them (and in previous years my own mother before she passed).

But, working moms. They’re a whole different breed, who deserve considerate admiration and honor for the significant sacrifices, compromises, and downright kick-ass contributions they make at home and in the workplace.?

However, like many of my working mom clients, they rarely take the time or put the focus on honoring themselves, setting their own personal goals, or carving out a blend in their family, work, and life.

So, in celebration to all of the working moms, here are some tips for you to honor YOU and become a powerhouse woman in all aspects of work and life:

1. Honor your riches:

The majority of my female executive clients have a difficult time acknowledging their uniqueness, skills, talents, traits, passions, and dreams, that make them who they are, and got them where they are; let alone, voicing them to others.

However, if they don’t, who will?

More importantly, that list of riches is a powerful tool to lean on when they do begin to question their value and ability.

TIP: Take just 5 minutes and write out in one-two words all of your traits, qualities, skills, talents, experiences, expertise, accomplishments, and what you love about yourself.? Keep that list close, and when you are struggling within, sit with that list, honoring all of the riches that make you unique and powerful as a woman, boss, and mother.

2. Define YOU goals; not those of your work, bosses, partner, children or others:?

During one of our beach trips, I found a couple of my ‘mom sisters’ in tears as we discussed how they should have their own goals and dreams, and pursue them with as much passion as they help their loved ones pursue theirs.

Through their tears, they expressed how they have never thought of what it is they wanted for themselves, let alone, what they would want to do and achieve - it’s always been about work and family.?

It brought me to tears.

Is that you?

TIP: Look over the above list and define the personal goals, adventures and pursuits you want to achieve for yourself, no one else. List out 1-3 things you can do to act on them; you can start small and slow, and accelerate from there.

Then, be sure to carve out attention, focus, and time to achieve them, i.e. that sport you wanted to play again, the book club you've wanted to join, or the trip you've been dreaming of.

3. Time-block self-care:?

My mother had 12 children, so you can only imagine how little time she had for herself. But, she always made it. She made it very clear to all of us that her ‘me’ time allowed her to be the best mom possible. So, whether it was going to the salon, sitting down behind a closed door to watch Wheel of Fortune, or laying at the pool with friends, she blocked the time on her overwhelming calendar and stuck to it.

TIP: Just like you block and keep family and community appointments; doctors, PTA, after-school pickup, etc., block time on your calendar for your self-care. Whether it's 15 minutes or an hour, make appointments with yourself and stick to them. Try it for 2 weeks and then assess the difference it has made within you and with your family, work team, and overall life.?

4. Ask for support:?

My second grade teacher, Sister Clare, taught me what it meant to have a mentor and to be a mentor. So, over the decades, I shared the same with family, friends, colleagues and clients - especially working moms, who rarely sought out support, feeling as if they should already have all of the answers.

Is that you?

TIP: Assess your willingness to reach out and ask for help. If you struggle with it, ask yourself, why, so you are consciously aware of it. Then, work to overcome it, i.e. if you don’t want to ‘ask for help’,? ask someone to share their experience and solutions instead. You’ll gain insight while they feel good providing their expertise.

Identify someone in your work or life who you admire and has had the experiences or expertise you are working toward, and ask them if they could be a mentor to you. Put a plan in place first as to what you need and how they can support you. Use that to ground your conversation with them.

Remember, you are an individual and woman first, and need to be taken care of as much as being a caregiver. Set and pursue your own passions and desires, as it is a powerful way to model how others should care for themselves too. It's a win-win for everyone, and you deserve it.??

How can I support you in being a powerhouse working mom, setting goals, or pursuing a mentor of your own?

BOOK A CALL and let’s talk. www.coachmebernadette.com/discoverycall

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!