Introducing The Intentional Path

Welcome to my monthly newsletter!

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my monthly newsletter, “The Intentional Path.” Writing a newsletter has been on my list for a while now, but as with many things these days in the craziness between work and motherhood, it got pushed to the back burner. I’m excited to finally be able to share my learnings, struggles, and experiences with you, with the hope of supporting each other through the ups and downs, wins, and ever evolving roles we all have professionally and personally.

My career path has certainly not been a linear one. My first career chapter was pursuing professional tennis. To think how different my life would have been! Even though I had to put tennis aside prematurely due to injuries, my passion for tennis ultimately led me to my next chapter in robotics & engineering where I first discovered my life’s mission: to enable people to become who they want to be through the power of technology. My passion led me to my mission, gave me a purpose, helped me navigate decisions, and through trial and error, learn to live intentionally.?

I believe we all have a purpose or a “why” behind what we do. I believe we can learn to live with intention and find meaning in the messiness of modern life. My life and career path has been far from perfect or planned out (more on that later). Looking back on my personal and professional journey, I can see now how all the chapters and accidental stepping stones along the way got me here. At times it was total chaos. Only now, looking back, I can connect the dots.?

Each month, I will be sharing pieces of my journey as well as personal struggles, thoughts, and learnings as I continue to strive towards creating an intentional path for my life.

I hope this newsletter helps you to live in the moment. I hope it helps all the working parents out there not feel so alone. I hope it helps you get more in touch with what matters to you. I have a hunch that many of us are facing similar challenges and by sharing them openly we can support each other.?

On My Mind - Summer Stress?

The first topic I’m delving into is the interesting psychological moment that summer creates for working parents. Specifically, the stress! For me, the normal stress around kids’ schedules during the school year is 7 out of 10, but over the summer it spikes to 9. If a big change happens, it goes to 11 out of 10 until things are under control again.

It is hard enough during the regular school year to figure out all the pick up and drop off logistics. But there is something regular about the school year. When the summer starts, any consistency goes out the window. I'm sure many of you can relate to the unpredictability this time of year. It's a constant scramble of last minute planning for kids activities and re-organizing work calendars to accommodate.

This is why my summer vacation plan didn’t come together until about 10 days before the departure date.

Why do I share this? It’s not to complain, but to shed light on some truth about where I am with my personal life. Some people think I have it all together, but I am so the opposite. I am put together with toothpicks and paper glue, and if one piece falls off, the whole thing falls apart quickly. I’ve had to learn the hard way to let go of perfection. Life has gotten so much easier since I changed my perspective from chasing perfection to embracing the imperfections – of motherhood, of being a wife, a CEO, it will never all be perfect and I love that now. I don’t ever want my kids to think I am all together, because I am not, and I don’t want them to feel any pressure to be perfect in the future.?

How do I navigate the summer months? Plan with intention.

When things feel overwhelming, I find myself asking: why do I do all of these crazy things? Why do I commit myself to planning family vacations or to signing my kids up for dozens of activities??

I had a friend ask me why I didn’t just want to stay at home for July 4th (which seems like years ago as I write this) and enjoy a relaxing 4-day weekend. It made me stop and think, but it only took 30 seconds for me to realize that wasn’t what I needed or wanted. If we were to stay home, I would spend the day fielding questions from my kids such as: “What are we doing today? What are we eating for breakfast/lunch/dinner? Can you drive me to my friend's house? Can you buy more socks?" or “I am bored. I am really bored. Can you plan something fun to do together?”

Planning time away as a family is something I need personally – to make memories, de-stress, and change up the pattern of my typical day. In return, my kids have a lot more fun, create more memories together, and, no matter how last minute things come together, we never regret having a new experience as a family.?

It’s not about creating a big moment – it’s about living in the present and cherishing the crazy laughs we have – eating at the worst restaurant, or driving away with the gas pump still stuck in my car (true story). For this July 4th, it was a hike that we went off the trail path. As we went, it got too steep to go on and we all got eaten alive by mosquitos. And it was fun.

Even in the midst of a busy whirlwind summer, we can set aside planned, intentional time for ourselves and as a family. Whether near home or traveling, we can block off time to share a new experiences together. These are the moments we will remember and that will bring us closer together – the moments that anchor the unstructured, crazy days of summer that go by in a blur.?

Monthly Me List?

Every month I will be sharing what is on my “Me List” – a self-care tool that has changed my life. Before I dive into this month’s list, I wanted to share how the "Me List" came to be…

Like most parents, I was not willing to put myself first for the longest time. It just felt wrong to put myself before the needs of my family. This was my mindset at work, too. My needs always came last. I was completely depleted and not showing up like my best self.?

Out of desperation, I started working with a professional coach. My coach at the time noticed this unhealthy behavior and she encouraged me to make a “Me List.” She described it as a to-do list for the house, but for myself. I had no idea what to put on it. She asked me how many hours I was sleeping and I said 4 to 6. She told me to put “sleep at least 7 hours daily” on my list. That seemed impossible and unnecessary, until she showed me the research and I realized I was doing my body harm by not respecting it. I negotiated to “at least 7 hours, 5 days a week.” She kept me accountable while it took me months to shift my mindset around giving time back to myself.

Years later, I can say this mindset shift and practice of having a “Me List” has helped me in all aspects of my life.? Doing a few things a week to prioritize my own wellbeing - like going on a morning run, or getting a good night's sleep, or even listening to an audio book - has improved my quality of life. Do I skip some weeks? Absolutely. It's not about perfection, it's about taking the first step towards learning to put your oxygen mask on first, whatever that looks like for you.

This month, going away with the kids and sharing laughs is at the top of my Me List. I am not doing it for them – I am doing it for me. They may not want to spend time with their mom for too much longer, so I’m soaking it up now.??

If you don’t have a Me List yet, I encourage you to try making one today! What would you put first on your Me List? I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for next month.

Yoky