The Executive Ladder

Working Mom Video

As working moms move into one of their "busier" times of the year, take a minute to watch this video and remember that you are not alone!

F.r.e.e. Goal Development Teleseminar

Did last year’s resolutions become a distant memory by February 1^st?

Join us for a F.R.E.E. teleseminar on January 18^th to learn the secrets of establishing goals that you will actually achieve this year.

If you would like to:

§         Lose weight or create a healthier lifestyle

§         Boost your success at work

§         Increase your effectiveness at home while reducing your stress

§         Guide your children to create and achieve their own goals

You’ll want to join us on Friday, January 18^th at 1:00pm Eastern (10:00 Pacific) for a F.R.E.E. teleseminar on The Power of Goals:

Forget New Year's Resolutions - Create New Year's Solutions:

How to Establish Goals That You Will Actually Achieve in 2008

Suzanne Freiberg, Jill Frank, and Lisa Silvershein will take you through the principles of effective goal setting so that you can:

§         Eliminate guilt and reduce your stress

§         Finally lose that extra weight you’ve been carrying around

§         Create a healthier lifestyle for you and your family

§         Increase your salary as you become more successful at work

§         Enjoy the time you spend with your family

§         Coach your children to challenge themselves, to feel empowered and to be able to take charge of their success.

§         Support your children in becoming confident and successful adults

There is no charge to attend this teleseminar – but spaces are limited so register early.  Go here to claim your spot!

Are Working Moms Really Making Their Kids Fat?

Are working mothers really making their kids fat?  No.  Are mothers in general making their kids fat with their choices and shortcuts?  Maybe.  But it's unfair to put all the blame on the already guilt-ridden working mom as Patricia M. Anderson, Kristen F. Butcher, and Philip B. Levine's study: Maternal Employment and Childhood Obesity has done. 

I can see how working mother's are taking SOME of the heat for this trend.  I was one of the worst when it came to feeding my kids unhealthy meals.  I was in such a hurry all the time that drive-thru's and 'heat and eat' meals became my crutch.  However, even after I became a SAHM and a WAHM, I could easily return to my old habits if I didn't plan healthy meals in advance. 

I won't name names, but I know more SAHM's who choose the quick and easy unhealthy than SAHM's who choose the quick and easy healthy.  Maybe it's because there is a perception that healthy meals are time consuming and unflavorful.  Or maybe it's because it is a constant battle to get your kids to eat carrot sticks instead of potato chips. 

There are many factors leading to the increased rate of childhood obesity and blaming working mothers accomplishes little more then fueling the debate over working versus stay at home moms.  The truth is that anyone can make their family's health a priority by quickly and easily preparing healthy meals and snacks for their family and incorporating exercise into their daily routine.

So stop feeling guilty and start taking action.  Spend a few minutes before you shop planning your meals for the week and leave the dishes for later while you take a walk with your kids.  Small steps can lead to a big payoff.  Find out more about how working mothers can lose the stress and guilt and be more successful - at home and at work - at www.leverageyourtalent.com/working_mothers.htm.

Working Mom, Super Mom - Is there really a difference?

Lately, it seems that everyone wants to accomplish something, just look at sites like www.43things.com. The ambitions posted on these sites run the gamut from wanting to get more organized to traveling the world to earning more money.  If you are a working mother, you know you are just as ambitious as everyone else out there. You also know that your career is the vehicle to achieving those aspirations.  Unfortunately, you probably feel like you are barely able to keep your head above water much less establish any professional goals beyond bringing home a paycheck.  Complicating matters even further, working mothers have hurdles to jump that their counterparts probably don’t even have on their radar.

Working mothers have two jobs – being a mother and being an employee.  There is no way to keep your family life from seeping into work.  You may be able to leave your work at the office but you can’t ever completely leave your family at home.  How many times have you left work early to take a sick child to the doctor or to attend a parent-teacher conference?  Do you feel like you have to ‘sneak’ out of the office right at five o’clock (whether your work is finished or not) so your child won’t be the last one picked up at after-school care – again?  Do you feel like your commitment to the company and your career is being questioned when you put your family first?  As if all of this juggling isn’t tiring enough, the second shift begins as soon as your “outside the home” job ends.  There is dinner, homework, little league, dance class, scouts, and on and on and on.

Another equally important challenge you face is the delicate task of having to weigh each decision you make between the needs of your family and the good of your career.  Do you entertain clients or have drinks with the boss after work or do you go to your son’s baseball game?  Do you apply for the promotion that will relocate your family across the country or do you put your career on the back burner until the kids are grown?  There is never an easy choice and I bet you tend to second guess your decisions and feel guilty no matter what choice you make.  In fact, I would guess that there isn’t another segment of the population who feels as much guilt as working mothers.

Let’s face it, mothers work because they need to – either they need the income, they need to fulfill their desire to work, and/or they feel the need to provide a better life for their children than is possible on one income.  But, if you are stressed out, always on the run, and don’t have quality time to spend with your kids, is having a career fulfilling that need or is it causing undue hardship on your family?  This is one of those times when it pays to do it right.  If you are going to work, shouldn’t it be for a career that is rewarding, both intrinsically and financially and that also allows you to enjoy your family life?

For working mothers, life is exhausting (as if I need to tell you)!  You are constantly being pulled in multiple directions, expected to perform miracles that few could accomplish, and take care of everyone around you – all without dropping a single ball and a smile on your face.  And somehow, we manage to pull it off, day after day.  Not always with a smile and occasionally a ball or two drops, but the ship stays afloat – even if it means that your own goals get sidelined.  But wouldn’t it be great if it wasn’t so difficult?  It is possible to have it all – a great career and a meaningful family life – without having to work even harder than you already do.  The key to success lies in:

• Prioritizing.  What comes first, right now?  How do you know where to focus your attention if you don’t know what is most important?
• Finding time for those priorities.  How do you fit it all in– time for your family, your career, and yourself – without sacrificing? 
• Goal setting. How will you know what direction to go in if you haven’t established solid goals?  You’ll quickly wear yourself out running in circles. Do you know what you want out of life, personally, professionally and financially?
• Planning.  A comprehensive plan to achieve your goals will keep you focused and on the right track.
• Making choices that are aligned with your priorities.  This is the number one key to eliminating your guilt and feeling good about your decisions.
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive community. Have you ever noticed that when you are around people who are drowning in misery that they bring you down with them?  The opposite holds true, as well.  If you surround yourself with people who are positive, goal-oriented, and supportive, your attitude soars and the possibilities really are endless. 
• A rolodex full of resources. No one can, or should try, to do it alone.  Having access to resources that can pick up where you want to leave off makes all the difference in the world.

By taking these steps, you are empowering yourself.  You are taking control of a chaotic situation that will result in a positive, meaningful life and a career that is both rewarding and affords the lifestyle that you want – all with less stress and guilt.  That means a better mom for your kids, a better partner for your significant other, and a happier YOU.

Your Assignment:

The first step to taking control of the chaos is to prioritize.  What is most important to you right now?  Is it finding more balance between work and family?  Making more money?  Spending more time with your kids and significant other?  Whatever is at the top of your list, come up with three action steps you can take to get closer to your goals.  Keep your priorities at the top of your mind at all times and you will see that your decision making process will get easier and the guilt you struggle with will begin to fade. 

Do you want to be a mom that has it all – the great family AND successful career?  Are you ready to get out of overwhelm, lose the guilt, and take control of your professional life?  I’ll be announcing a new program soon, just for working mothers like you.  We will address each of the success factors above plus much more so you can do more than just keep your head above water.  Spaces will be limited, so if you would like to receive priority notification, register here and you’ll have a chance to sign up before I announce the program to the general public.  Don’t want to wait?  Call me at 813-839-5752 to discuss individual coaching options.