Easy, no. Worth it? Hell yes.
You know, this notion that you can “have it all” is so not true in a way. Yeah, I can be a mom, run a successful business, have a great marriage and amazing friends, but I’ve had to redefine what that looks like for me and how to accomplish it all.
A Mompreneur will quickly discover her priorities become whittled down wish lists. She’s become the expert of efficiency. Figure out your exercise balance.
When I started my business I had to put some things aside, like training for a marathon. So instead, I invested in a cardio machine and began holding meetings while on a fast incline.
I love running and I love my business, but I need efficiency and was unwilling to give up either.
Let me be clear. If honestly getting out of the house is what you need, go do that. Get in your exercise where you can and find your balance. I schedule in daily exercise and treat it equally important as I would a meeting. When it pops up in my calendar there’s no backing out.
Outsource everything that distracts you from your priorities.
My priorities are having time in my day with my daughter, husband and my team. If anyone gets shorted I look at outsourcing.
This means I hire a house cleaner who helps with meals, or I delegate work tasks to my team, so I have bath time with my daughter or alone time with my husband. By knowing that these priorities are absolutes I can outsource with greater ease.
One of the best things I did was get a house cleaner who makes our meals. She’s incredible. We need to get over the idea we should be doing it ‘all’, instead totally rock our priorities and the stuff we’re actually awesome at.
Really know your health.
Listen, none of this is going to work if you’re run down, stressed and nutrient deficient. What’s worse than kids sick, is you sick. I know that feeling of wishing you could stay in bed. One extra hour please.
And, you know what?
Sometimes I trade with my husband morning shifts so I can rest longer. I’ve learned over the years that health has to come first. If I need rest, I take it without apology or guilt – and you can too.
We eat a raw, vegan menu in our house and exercise every day. We take herbs and natural medicines when we need to, and practice living a healthy lifestyle because I know my health is a non-negotiable.
Show up to your marriage.
Moms, sometimes it’s just not going to happen tonight. Sometimes it’s the kids. It’s work. It’s a lot of things that get in the way.
My husband & I have dates nights, date days, date lunches. We set goals and priorities together so we can help keep focused on each other. I’ve seen my marriage significantly improve when I showed interest in my husband, which means I turn off the cell phone and list making to fully focus on him. It means I listen to him and respond lovingly. It takes work, and oh yes, it’s worth it. He gets her up in the morning and gets her ready so that I can get going, and I take care of her in the afternoon. This is about the negotiation of time, communication between each other, and flexibility to make it all fit in. The key is that we do it together.
Success means knowing your priorities by not doing everything to exhaustion.
What does having it all mean to you? Moms with careers pack a lot into their lives. From drop-offs, pick-ups, meltdowns, multi-tasked meetings, forgotten appointments and overdue oil changes, we’re well stocked up on hectic. Have you found your sweet spot in family, life and business? How would you feel about letting go of some of your tasks to someone else? What stops you? I’d love to hear from you and I know your comment could help other women struggling to find her balance. Post in the box below and share with someone who you think needs to hear this.
Originally posted in Positively Positive
XO, Hayley
By Hayley Hobson
With her unique specialization in the combination and complement of pilates, nutrition and yoga, Hayley offers a cocktail of lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results. Hayley is a columnist for Elephant Journal and has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, Natural Health Magazine and Triathlete Magazine. She currently lives in Boulder, CO with her husband, former world-ranked triathlete, Wes Hobson and their two beautiful daughters, Makenna and Madeline. Read more about Hayley and check out her new book at HayleyHobson.com
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