Sometimes I think that if I could no longer be an Allstate agency owner, I would become a juggler.
It’s not that I have circus envy, it’s because since I’m already doing it, it feels like a natural thing to do.
From what I read here on LinkedIn it appears that many of us are in the same situation.
We’re busy professionals AND we’re engaged and involved parents, and as I’ve also learned, whether our kids are 2 mos., 2 years, or the ripe old age of 10, we’re still “busy” being a parent too.
Juggling both is not a feat for the meek. It takes grit and stamina, but it also requires a few other things.
Here’s what I have found works best for me. Perhaps some of these “solutions” can be successful for you as well:
Delegate and share the burden. We hear so much about delegation at work, and of course that’s important, but share and delegate at home as well. I’m a single Mom but that doesn’t mean I don’t share with my ex. We share custody and both of us take our parenting very seriously. Share the everyday tasks that can get you stressed. Hire people to take care of things around the house, order in dinner or go out, have a personal assistant, and do whatever it takes to keep you on top of the mission-critical aspects of parenting that ONLY you can do.
Be flexible. Not everything at work and home will happen just the way you want it to, but that doesn’t mean you have to go into have a full-blown meltdown. Keep things in perspective and you might see that the repercussions of what happened are negligible and, in that case, you should let it go.
Have a plan. Being flexible doesn’t mean that you don’t have a plan. I’m very organized at work and equally as organized at home. (OK, maybe just a little less!)
My work team knows what’s on the calendar and so does my girls. There are few surprises and when everyone knows what’s must be done, there is a much better chance that it will be.
By the way, maintain a calendar. It helps!
Perfection is overrated. While I strive for perfection in all my work done on behalf of clients, I’m not as picky when it comes to internal memos and meetings. A little slippage is OK. The same holds true at home. If the laundry wasn’t done, then there is sure to be another evening to attend to the chore. Don’t beat yourself up.
Don’t beat yourself up. Perhaps, that’s the best tip of all.
Practice self-care and recognize everything you have on your plate and how successful you are at what counts.
You. Are. Doing. Great.
I’d love to discuss your best juggling tips. Let me know.