Michelle O'bama said "Nope, at least not all at one time".
And while I believe there is still a LONG way to go to truly support working mothers from a societal and policy standpoint (which really was her point), there ARE some things we individually can do to feel successful in both our motherhood and our careers.
I believe we can feel like we have it all, but NOT by someone else's standards. 🎯
The key is first to identify what "it all" is to us individually. What does success look like in the key areas of our life that truly matter.
In my signature Compass exercise, I ask women to define their own success in these 4 areas because they are consistently linked to overall fulfillment and health in research.
✨ Relationships
✨ Health (mental and physical)
✨ Career (or contribution to society)
✨ For Pure Fun (cause if we aren't having fun, are we really living?)
And I ask them to define what "success" is to them in THIS SEASON of their lives.
Because the season with 2 young kids is going to look different from the season with 2 middle schoolers.
And go beyond surface level. Not to just have a "good relationship" with kids. What exactly is "good"? And relevant to this time period.
For example, my version of success is to foster a connected and supportive nuclear family. While also demonstrating and teaching my children how to understand and regulate their emotions.
These don't need to even be measurable goals, some are simply directional...or how you want to FEEL.
Just write what is in your heart.❤️
Once you complete each category (or others of your choosing), THIS essentially defines what a "successful" overall life is to YOU.
Then ➡️ you can USE it to make those tough trade-off decisions. You can more easily decide what you say YES! and "no" or just "not right now" to.
When we elevate and look a level above the daily stuff that stresses us all out, we can start seeing the bigger picture. And that in itself allowed me to let a little pressure off myself for some things.
For example, you don't see having a "spotless house" anywhere on my Compass. 😉
Here is my Compass for 2024 if it's helpful for some ideas. Feel free to email me the word "Compass" and I'll send you a worksheet you can use for yourself.
So...I am encouraging YOU to think about (and even better WRITE down), what is truly important in each of the Compass categories?
It's time to define you OWN definition of a successful life instead of just taking on what other's definition or expectations are. After all, it is YOUR Motherhood. ❤️
And if you want help putting yours together in a free call, book it here 🌟 or just email me for some additional times.
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