This is what awaits you here:
It actually still exists. This dreamy image of the happy working mother, who masters family and career in a deeply relaxed way, always looking as if she had just jumped off the cover of a fashion magazine .
A little organization here, a little planning there, and it’s easy to balance work and family life.
But to be honest: we all know: very often this hat is too small, the seams burst open in all possible places, because you try to stuff too much in.
But somehow it still works. Somehow we still manage to keep being balanced and juggle it all.
And that is exactly why we are great!
You are great!
Because you are one of those working super moms.
Congratulate yourself every day for that! PLEASE 🙂 :-
1. Career and Family – simply said: it’s just A LOT!
As parents, we are all sitting in the same boat. Balancing the needs of your family and the expecations at work, taking care of yourself as well and not neglecting your own needs is a challenge.
Yes, it’s just a lot!
Time, on the other hand, is always scarce. The days are too short. The same is true for the week, the months and ultimately for the whole year.
You have probably thought already: “Oh, if only a day had 27 hours and the week 8 days! Then everything would be easier, time would not be short, and I could solve everything in a more relaxed and better way.”
But honestly, nothing would change!
Your days would be at least as packed as before, and time would pass in the same pace.
Because successfully coordinating career and family has to do with time management AND starts with mindset work (or changing it;-)
I am a mother of three and therefore know what it means to balance family and career (not always as easy as it seems)
My husband works as well and we also don’t have parents or in-laws nearby who can lend a hand quickly when needed.
So I have always been looking for answers to the question:
+ How am I able to juggle career AND family?
And it needs to be fun, bring joy to my life and without a guilty conscience.
Before I tell you about my personal experiences and share tips, I would like to talk briefly about your role as a woman.
According to the 5-role model from Gundl Kutschera, every person lives several roles at the same time – you are a partner, mum, daughter, sister, friend and many more. It is important to be aware of this in order to better understand yourself on the one hand, and on the other hand, to live relationships with your partner or children in a way that makes you happy and everyone feels comfortable.
Your roles to juggle
The first role I want to talk about is that of the individual – your very personal role.
+ How much are you yourself in certain situations?
+ How do you recharge your batteries?
+ How much time do you need for yourself?
Only when you know yourself and your needs you are able to lead a happy life in your various roles and have a healthy relationship with others.
In addition to your own role, your role as a parent is also important, especially in family life. In a company contest this would be the role a s a leader of a team. As a parent, you have a lot of responsibility, but you also need to trust others and delegate the responsibility. In a nutshell: Let go!
Both points are incredibly important! Taking over responsibility and share it.
+ But where is your focus?
=> If you are more structured, your learning experience might be to learn how to let go and be patient.
=> If, on the other hand, you are able to delegate well, you may also dare to take on more responsibility and enjoy doing so.
And what you should always be aware of: Your role as a woman.
Because you are not only a mother, but also a partner.
That’s why I advise you not to mix these two roles. I myself needed time to become aware of this, but today I know how important it is to be a partner or wife at times. And this is a different role.
At this point I would also like to pass on a piece of advice from Gundl Kutschera: Enjoy an evening for two with your partner or husband once a week. A quarterly weekend just for your partner and yourself – without kids. And once a year a whole week.
A tip for you:
So: How subjectively satisfied are you with your role as a mom, partner or individual?
(recommended scale: 1 = dissatisfied and 10 = totally satisfied)
Where are you most dissatisfied and would need to change most?
3. Possible Obstacles on your Way
If you know yourself and your different roles as a woman and mother and live according to your needs and desires, the world is open to you. It is a lifelong learning experience. At least if you don’t let possible obstacles on your way upset you too much. 🙂
One such hurdle is prejudice against parents, for example. There will always be prejudices in society, but that doesn’t mean they apply to you. The same is true for expecations from society. Especially in German-speaking countries, the image still prevails that a mother has to stay at home and take care of the household and children. But you don’t have to live up to these traditional expectations! Just as you don’t have to let yourself be kept down in a male-dominated company.
However, obstacles do not always have to come from the outside. Often we also build the obstacles in our own way. A good example of this is perfectionism. Often 80 percent is enough, you don’t always have to give 120 percent! You should have a choice. And yes, even if everything doesn’t go perfectly well, you are good enough! Self-doubt is human and perfectly normal, but if it gets out of hand, it can destroy your desire for a harmonious interaction between career and family.
But now back to the initial question: How can I juggle career and family life?
- Think in 50:50!
We live in the 21st century and therefore the division in the household and in the family between your partner or husband and you should be 50:50. You don’t have to do everything on your own!
- Your life should be easy going an fun!
Whether you have a partner or husband by your side, or are a single parent (my respect to all who manage family life on their own), forget the traditional role model and accept help!
Get support if you feel it is right for you!
Because there is absolutely nothing wrong or embarrassing about it – on the contrary!
- Grab your opportunities!
Don’t put your focus on what could hinder you on your way, but rather concentrate on possibilities and solutions!
The school system is what it is. The opening hours in kindergarten are outdated, yes.
But there is nothing you can do about that. Therefore, think about your circle of influence and where your possibilites are instead of complaing about every day.
- Learn, fall down, get up and keep going!
Sometimes I have the impression that life is a never-ending learning lesson. As a parent, you will always get things wrong, but just keep going! You learn from every single mistake.
I once read the quote: I have already learned so much from my mistakes, I should do much more! 🙂
- Be kind to yourself and take care of yourself!
This is something I also had to learn and where I am still on my way. Because self-care is simply the answers to a lot. How do I talk to myself? How do I treat myself? Be kind to yourself, take care of yourself, and if you are exhausted, don’t wait too long for your body to show you that it can’t go on like this.
- Start with you!
Detach yourself from the expectations of others and live your life exactly as you want it.
- Be a role model for your child(ren) and team!
A somewhat direct question: Do you want your children to live one day as you do yourself? Because you show your children what a happy life looks like. And does happiness mean for you to live a life under permanent stress?
- Make a plan for several months!
Create a plan for more than just one month. This way you can keep an eye on the goal and don’t question the entire construct if something doesn’t go according to plan.
A tip for you:
5. Successful at Work and Family – My Conclusion
No matter what others say: It is possible to juggle family and career!
A positive mindset and, above all, a rethinking of traditions and expectations are crucial.
And as the saying goes – where there’s a will, there’s a way!
So the ball is in your hand! I’ve given you my tips and now it’s your turn to turn words into action.
If you still need additional input for a positive and successful mindset, feel free to contact me and we will see how I can support you best.
