Seven Reasons Why Listening To Your Mother Will Fuel Your Career

Recently in the United States, we celebrated a holiday for a special group of people: mothers.

I'm incredibly lucky. I have a phenomenal mother, a wonderful mother-in-law, two sisters who are outstanding moms, and a bunch of friends who are rocking motherhood. I also deeply admire leaders like Brené Brown, Sara Blakely and Oprah Winfrey who care for human and fur babies with a generous heart and nurturing spirit.

As the mother of two amazing daughters, I'm grateful for the positive influence and counsel the women in my life have given me. And as I considered the knowledge they've provided, I realized that the advice is not just limited to childrearing; it's so universal that it could be used to guide our careers as well.

So in honor of all the mothers of the world, I want to share seven bits of maternal wisdom I've gleaned over the years and how you can use them to fuel your career progress:

1. "Enjoy the journey."

Growing up, this was a reminder not to get so caught up in whatever the end goal was (earning good grades, winning a volleyball match, etc.) that I failed to appreciate the little wins along the way. When you're in the thick of your career, busy grinding away, don't forget to slow down long enough to celebrate the milestones (a promotion, a winning pitch, a record quarter) and appreciate your progress.

2. "Don't get too big for your britches." 

Hubris and bragging never played well in my family. If either of my sisters or I started to lean toward arrogance, we received this stern warning. This is great advice in business, too. When you have the self-awareness to realize that it's not about you, you'll be able to balance success with a level of humility and gratitude.

3. "Treat others the way you'd like to be treated." 

As a kid, this credo and its cousin, You'll catch more flies with sugar than vinegar, were drilled into me, and for good reason: Being nice to others (my sisters, classmates, teachers, neighbors, etc.) demonstrated respect and was far more effective at getting what you wanted than complaining. The same concept holds true in your career. When you make an effort to treat your boss, peers, direct reports, and customers with kindness, practice attentive listening, and lead with positivity, your good behavior will be reciprocated.

4. "Be careful not to burn the candle at both ends."

I almost always heard something like this from my mom accompanied by a hug and following a tearful breakdown on my part. When I was trying to do too much and was stressing myself out, she'd remind me that I'd "feel better after a good night's sleep." Before it was in vogue, my mother was touting the benefits of self-care. In today's hectic workplaces, it's easy to get overwhelmed. By cutting yourself some slack and practicing self-compassion, you'll avoid burning the candle at both ends.

5. "Take a deep breath."

My mom and countless other mothers understood the power of that command. Taking a deep breath served several important purposes: a distraction from whatever craziness was brewing, and a way to calm down before dealing with the chaos. In our careers, we can employ the power of the pause to help us take a beat and not freak out—or blurt out something we might later regret. Taking a deep breath can give us a relaxing break to consider our response and maintain our sanity.

6. "Be the best you you can be."

My mom's advice was all about me being uniquely me, and not comparing myself to others—or their ideas of what I should or shouldn't be. For me, owning my uniqueness meant following a non-linear career path, one that made the highest and best use of my talents. For you and your career, it's about what makes you uniquely you. And by being the best you you can be, you can positively differentiate yourself from the crowd.

7. "Set a good example."

My mom uttered this last bit of maternal wisdom to my sisters and me whether company was coming over or we were headed to school. In fact, my mom would remind us that she shouldn't even have to tell us this because this was something we should want to do because it was the right thing to do. And you know what? It still is.

Everyone, regardless of title or role, has the opportunity to set a good example, and to help others by being of service and providing value. Someone's always listening and watching; make sure that they can follow your lead.

The best moms I know find a way to balance their instincts to nurture, protect, and encourage those under their care, with the need to push and challenge them to step up and do their best. And by heeding their collective wisdom, maybe you can, too.

This article first appeared on Forbes.com.

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??Amy Blaschka is a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders communicate and connect better. Contact her if you'd like her help.?

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