Balancing Management, Motherhood, and ME.

In today’s fast-paced world, it feels like there are never enough hours and managing the intricate demands of advocating for and planning with my team, while being a dedicated mother of three and staying passionate about community impact, can often feel like a complex juggling act. Balancing these roles isn’t about achieving perfection but about finding a harmonious approach that aligns with my values and priorities. Here’s how I navigate the delicate dance of balancing management, motherhood, and myself.

1. Prioritize Your Well-being

One of the most crucial lessons I’ve learned is that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. As a tech professional, a mother of three, and a pet owner, maintaining my health and well-being is essential to meet the demands of both work and home. When I’m well-rested and mentally strong, I’m better equipped to tackle challenges and support my family—both human and furry.

Tips for Prioritizing Myself:

• Workout Routine: Spend 45 minutes at the gym three times a week with my husband.
• Morning Coffee: Enjoy my morning coffee with my daughter to start the day together.
• Sports Events: Attend at least two of my son's sports events each week.
• Driving Practice: Dedicate quality time to teaching my daughter how to drive.

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Establishing boundaries between my professional and personal life is essential. In my work, this means creating specific work hours and a designated workspace to maintain focus. At home, when I’m with my family and pets, I make a conscious effort to be present, free from work distractions. I am not always successful but I do my best.

Tips for Setting Clear Boundaries:

• Pre-plan Your Week: Outline your schedule at the start of each week to cover work, home, and pet care, minimizing last-minute stress.
• Prioritize Tasks: Focus on urgent and important tasks first, and schedule less critical ones for later to manage time effectively.
• Create a Routine: Establish specific work hours and dedicated family and self-care time to maintain clear boundaries and stay present.
• Communicate Clearly: Inform your team and family of your availability and commitments to set expectations and minimize interruptions.

3. Embrace Flexibility

Balancing multiple roles requires a flexible mindset.? One valuable lesson I took from my time in the Navy is the phrase "SEMPER GUMBY," which means "always flexible." Embracing this mindset allows me to adjust as needed, whether it’s shifting a work deadline or modifying a family plan. Being open to change helps me manage my responsibilities effectively and navigate the evolving demands of both my career and personal life.

Tips for staying flexible:

• Cultivate a Growth Mindset: View uncertainty as a chance to learn and grow. At work, see challenges as opportunities to develop skills. At home, stay open to new experiences and adapt to changes, fostering resilience and confidence.
• Develop a Flexible Plan: Plan ahead but allow for adjustments. Create contingency plans for work and flexible routines at home to handle unexpected events without stress.
• Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive colleagues, family, and friends. Collaborate at work and lean on loved ones at home for guidance and shared responsibilities, easing the navigation of uncertainties.

4. Delegate and Collaborate

Delegation is key in both my professional and personal lives. At work, I rely on my team to share responsibilities and contribute their expertise, which is essential for effective planning and advocacy. At home, involving my family in daily tasks and responsibilities helps distribute the load. Collaboration and delegation empower those around me and make managing multiple roles more manageable.

Tips for delegation and collaboration:

• Carpooling: Share transportation responsibilities for school and sports with other families.
• Cleaning: While I prefer a clean home and struggle with the cost of hiring a professional, I recognize the value of spending those hours with my family. Delegate cleaning tasks to maintain balance.
• Leverage Strengths: Identify the strengths of those around you and barter or trade skills to benefit everyone involved.

5. Celebrate Small Wins, Stay Connected, and Reflect Regularly

Balancing a demanding tech role with motherhood and community impact is an ongoing journey of growth. Celebrating small victories, whether from work, family, or volunteer efforts, helps maintain motivation and perspective. Building strong relationships with colleagues, family, and friends provides invaluable support and a sense of community. Regular reflection allows for necessary adjustments in work processes, family routines, or volunteer commitments, ensuring alignment with values and goals. By prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, embracing flexibility, delegating, celebrating wins, staying connected, and reflecting regularly, I strive to create a fulfilling and balanced life.

The final and most important tip is this: LEAVE WHAT NO LONGER SERVES YOU. I recently decided to step away from a volunteer opportunity that I had enjoyed, but after a few very challenging months, it became clear that my enjoyment had quickly shifted to resentment. I made the choice to prioritize myself and move on from what no longer served me.

How do you manage the balance in your own life? I’d love to hear your strategies and insights!