Guilt, Gratitude & Wins - A Personal Story

I didn’t go to my youngest son’s cross-country meet on Monday.

I did a speaking engagement instead.

Some of you may think that’s a no-brainer decision.

Some of you may think I should have chosen my son.

But at the end of the day, and I say this with kindness, I don’t care what you think.

For years, I worried too much about what other people thought about me and my decisions, especially as an ambitious working mom climbing the corporate ladder and travelling for work.

And for years, I tried to please too many people.

So this year, when I got asked by an organization I’d wanted to speak at for a long time now, the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA), I jumped at the chance.

I told my son I couldn’t go and he was upset. It’s a new school, a new cross-country course and he had high expectations for his performance.

I explained to him why I couldn’t go and…

I dropped the guilt.

The last few years my life has revolved around my sons’ activities and going to everything and it’s time the pendulum swung back towards me a bit more.

Yes, I have the flexibility with my work to attend more of their activities but I also want to set a good example for them that there are times in our lives when we have to make tough decisions and pick what’s best for us.

So, as you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend (for those in Canada), I’d invite you to think about what tough decisions you might need to make to put yourself first for a little while. And then, drop the guilt!

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Win of the Week

This is a new addition to my newsletter where I want to ask all of you to take a moment and think of one small win you've had this week. Then, celebrate it!

Mine? I made it to four F45 workouts even though I had two speaking engagements where I had to commute to Toronto. (For those of you who don't know me, exercise is the hardest habit for me to stick to).

YOUR TURN! And if you want to share it with me, DM me. I'd love to hear it.

“Don't be hard on yourself: The mom in E.T. had an alien living in her house and didn’t notice for days.”

― Unknown