One Night in Dallas and the World's my Oyster...

You know what working full-time is like. You might know what being a stay at home parent is like (or at least you think you do). But how about working part time(ish)? What about being an entrepreneur? Taking a career break, then reemerging as an Advisor/Founder/Creator? What is it really like?

Well, sometimes its like this:

• 8:05am - Husband is off to work, so I'm on duty to get the boys ready for school. Dressed and fed, we're out the door.
• 8:40am - 星巴克 . Gotta get my fix.
• 9:15am - Back at home, final few things into the suitcase.
• 9:45am - Quick errand, and by errand I mean I got a blowout at the salon. Not that I need to explain this but it takes me forever to dry my hair, and had I done it myself it would've added over another hour (that I don't have) of prep time. Also, flying makes my hair flat which is a surefire way to lower my confidence. These pros had me in and out before you can say "self-care" and I used the time I was in their chair to sign my son up for T-ball and make the boys haircut appointments for the weekend. #Multitasking
• 10:20am - (Yes, the blowout was that quick) and I'm off to the airport.
• 10:21am - Mini meltdown triggered by never having driven to the airport on my own and wondering if I should've just taken an Uber.
• 10:22am - Reminding myself that this is the exact reason I took driving lessons, I am more than capable of doing this myself, and also I don't have time to continue this meltdown or I'll miss my flight.
• 11:30am - Arrive at the airport, struggle to find parking, question all my life choices, debate turning around and heading home, find a spot, and head to security.
• 12:00pm - Quick lunch while I wrap up a slide deck I'm working on for an upcoming training I am leading. Excited about this one as its focused on one of my favorite RM topics!
• 1:00-4ish - In flight.
• 4ish - Land in Dallas, chat to Uber driver about the very warm Texas weather, consider a southern relocation, check-in with my parents who picked my son up from school, realize I like seasons too much to move out of the East Coast as I pull up to the hotel.
• 5:00pm - Snack, make friends in the lobby (its called networking), take a call, check in with husband who has left work early to pick the other two up from daycare, respond to emails.
• 7:00pm - Meet up with a former coachee for dinner, have the BEST time hearing about his wonderful accomplishments, reconsider a relocation upon discovering probably the best margarita I've had in a while.
• 9ish - Sleep is for the weak! Just kidding, sleep is important. For me, being away means non-interrupted sleep so to say I was excited to sleep would be an understatement.
• 8:15am - Meet my colleagues for a client meeting, have an adventure in an Uber, and eventually make our way to the building.
• Attend all-day meeting in a beautifully decorated office, wonder what its like to be an interior designer, meet some amazing people who re-energize me in my mission to elevate the profession of Resource Management, watch my colleagues do their thing (and do it super well!), learn a few things, have a few laughs, eat too many snacks.
• 5:00pm - Head to airport, dinner while doing expenses, checking in on the homefront, missing my kids, working on coordinating logistics for my sister's bridal shower, responding to emails.
• 7:45pm - Flight back to Philly.

Work/Life Balance? I prefer Work/Life Integration. I used to compartmentalize in a way that left me feeling depleted, rushed, and struggling to be present. The idea of important things that I'm passionate about being "competing priorities" doesn't feel right to me and never has. In my experience, weaving it all together creates a more fluid (not to mention authentic) way to live and work. Here's to finding your perfect mix!

Christine Robinson is a Resource Management expert, Strategic Advisor, award-winning speaker, and the mother/stepmother of six. Recognized as one of the top leaders in the Philadelphia Business Journal's 40 Under 40 List for her performance and community contributions, Christine is passionate about supporting women and underserved families. She holds an MS in Human Resource Management from Fordham University, a BS in Sociology from Bowling Green University, and is a certified Resource Management Professional.

The former Managing Director and Head of Resource Management at a prestigious accounting and consulting firm, Christine has steered national teams, instituted firmwide functions, and established international joint ventures. As the visionary and Founder of Resource Management In The Wild, her mission is to empower professionals and organizations to successfully navigate resource allocation.

Like what you see here? Subscribe and browse my previous editions!

P.S. While you're exploring, check out Dayshape - an awesome company I'm proud to be affiliated with.