One of the most important working mom tips is balance. Everyone talks about balance, but no one really seems to know how to tell you to create it.
And what is true balance, anyway? And why is it so hard to achieve?
To tackle this topic, I have enlisted the help of blogger, TV station sales manager, workaholic and Mom, Lauren Hersey.
Lauren runs StrongFemaleBoss.com, where she tackles all of the struggles women face as they battle to be everything to everyone each day.
I think Lauren’s examples of how she builds a balanced life for her own family can really speak to direct sellers too.
Her working mom tips will show you how to streamline your life…and your business so you can truly create a timeless beauty life that you (and your family) will love.
It doesn’t matter if you decide to sell Avon or join another direct sales company, you can definitely draw some ideas from Lauren about how to create a lifestyle you’ll love.
The Life Pull
Table of Contents
Have you ever felt like you were being pulled in some many directions that you might just break? As women, we have been accustomed to assuming a “whatever it takes attitude”. The pressure of being the best mom, wife, employee, daughter, and friend sometimes feels like a race that could never be won. Recently I took ownership of my existence and I’m excited to share some proven ways to create and live a balanced life.
Lady Boss
I’m Lauren. Until recently I would have considered myself a workaholic. I really love my job and I’m passionate about it. Being creative, helping businesses, and teaching others are very fulfilling to me. When I took my current management job at a TV station, I was 28 years old. Let’s just say that I broke the mold a bit with this one. I have always felt that I needed to outwork everyone else to prove my worth. I knew deep down that I could do anything I wanted to do in this life if I was ready to work for it and that is exactly what I did.
The Race is On
Being a manager at a TV station is only part of who I am. My biggest job is that I am the mother of three special little humans from age thirteen down to three. My life until recently was a ball of stress wrapped in busyness, topped off with some guilt. Each day I would wake up in the morning after hitting the snooze button at least 5 times, jump out of bed and start running. I’d start the day off by running late again. My mornings would remind me of Home Alone when the family was rushing around trying to get out the door to head to Paris for Christmas. Thankfully, I haven’t forgotten any of my kids in the process.
On the Road Again
After getting everything and everybody ready for the day we were off! I would drive 30-40 minutes to drop my kids off at school. The quality time with the kids was appreciated. This uninterrupted time with them really did fill my love tank. Even if they were tired, sleeping, or cranky, just being in thier presence was peaceful.
That peace typically would come to a screeching halt when I walked in the door at work. My job is a busy one. I manage a lot of different things but what’s most challenging is managing different personalities. This is a challenge I do enjoy though. I think of the people I work with as family. It makes a lot of sense when you have the mother and father figures, crazy aunt, annoying cousins, and don’t forget about the work spouse. You know the guy (or gal) who always has your back and will fight for you and listen to you even when you talk too much.
After a full day of being asked and answering questions, attending meetings, and jumping on “quick” phone calls (that were never quick). Blow the whistle, the day is done. This was for most people, but not me. I spent my entire day at work doing things for other people that I had no time to get anything done. This resulted in working late, night after night after night.
When I couldn’t take it anymore, I’d call it quits and head home. The long drive home was normally spent talking to my husband and recounting the day. Arriving at home, I’d walk in the door to the warmest welcome filled with hugs, kisses, and I missed yous. My family sure does know how to make a girl feel loved. After a late dinner that I normally ate alone, talking to the kids and my husband of course. I couldn’t possibly ask them to wait to eat dinner until 7:30 each night but deep down I wished we could have family dinners like I did growing up.
On to bath time, a sliver of family time and then bed. Each day kind of felt like Ground Hog Day except for the days we had to do all the running. Gymnastics, piano, basketball, etc. My husband and I truly never stopped. No TV, no reading for leisure, no hobby’s just running.
Feeling the Burn
In the fall I felt the rumblings of burn out. I was tired and broken down. I went six years with almost never putting myself first. I lived for everyone else and if they were happy, I was happy, until I wasn’t. That’s when I started waking up and realizing something had to change.
YOLO- Find What’s Important
YOLO stands for you only live once. The first time I saw the word was years ago on a vacation to the beach. I was looking around a gift shop and YOLO was on mugs, hats and t-shirts. I probably rolled my eyes and thought of spring breakers living their best lives on the beach with no worries or cares. Around this time last year YOLO popped back up in the head. I started to ask myself “if this was my last day on earth, would I be happy with the life I chose”. “Would I be happy with the way I’m living today”. This changed everything.
I woke up with a fresh perspective each morning. I’d look out the window and be thankful that the sun came up and that I was alive. When you start a day this way it can only go up from there. I had some serious conversations with myself about what I really wanted, not what everyone else wanted from me. This was SO hard. I lost my identity because I was living for others for so long.
The Vision – Put It On Paper
Around this time my friend was holding a vision board workshop. I wanted to support my friend and see if I could even envision what I wanted my life to look like for the next 12 months. We gathered in a church with magazines, paper, glue, and markers. I tried my best to keep an open mind and the paper started to fly. The vision for my life started to present itself. What I wanted was to take time for myself by practicing mindfulness, doing yoga, being more present for my kids, and to take control of my time. I also added a house and car, that’s okay too. This process is what drove me to start my blog, StrongFemaleBoss.com. It’s now been 6 months and I’ve already accomplished almost everything on my vision board. Wild, right?
The Plan- How-To Execute
What is a vision without a plan of action? For me, it was a piece of paper with pictures on it. Something about me is if I set my mind on something, look out! I was bound and determined to make my vision a reality. I started going through my goals one by one to see how I could make it happen. I started by realizing I needed time for myself. I tried massages, ear candling, getting my Chakra’s balanced, just to name a few. I started tracking my time at work so I’d force myself to leave earlier. I was making progress until the Coronavirus showed up. A few weeks in, I realized that this was my opportunity for change.
Rise and Shine- Add More Time to the Day
Morning people have always amazed me. The type that wake up at 4:00 am, workout, read while enjoying a warm cup of coffee before they start their day. This was never me. I’m more of an “aspiring morning person”. I heard of a website called Focusmate in a Facebook group. A site where you are paired up with another person somewhere in the world that also wants to get things done. We will just call them a body double. Turn your camera on and their’s is on too, this person is your accountability buddy. It may seem odd but it really helps people focus. I started using FocusMate every morning to get out of bed early. I’d do Yoga, read my devotional, bullet journal. Oh my….. I am becoming one of those “morning people” and its great! This tool has helped me increase productivity and give myself the oxygen mask first. This time can be used to plan the day and enjoy some TLC.
What’s Love Got To Do With It- Summary
A balanced life comes from doing what you must do AND doing what you want to do. Ask yourself, what do you love? What do you want to do more of? What’s standing in the way of those things? A wise woman told me that people do what is important to them. If yoga is important you will find a way. If its family time, you will find a way. Make the time because life is too short. Don’t wait, tomorrow is not promised. Start with a vision and create your plan and start living your dreams.
Love yourself, love others, and Stay Strong. You got this!
For More Productivity, Personal Development, and Ways to Live a Balanced Life check out StrongFemaleBoss.com
Thanks to Lauren for her Working Mom Tips
I loved being able to collaborate with Lauren on some great working mom tips. As a working mom myself, I always struggled to find a way to balance my work and family time.
I am always looking for ways to be a better mom and streamline my life. I was drawn to Lauren because I also want to be a Strong Female Boss. And that always means different things to different people.
For me, it aligning with a company that allowed me the time and the freedom to create a lifestyle for my family. I love how I have been able to make enough money to take my family on vacation twice per year. That’s the reason I decided to become an Avon Representative.
As my business has grown, I’ve needed to find a way for it to fit my lifestyle and I think Lauren’s working mom tips are a great way to streamline my business and my life.
