In Search of the Elusive Work-Life Balance
If there's a book on the subject of work-life balance, or working motherhood, I've probably read it. The shelves in my home office are bursting with titles like Balance is a Crock, I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids, Good Enough Mother, and When Did I Get Like This? Yes, I read them primarily because I blog on the topic, but I'm forever on the lookout for women who feel they've unlocked the secret to achieving true work-life balance. (If you fit the bill, I want to interview you)!
And yet as much as I read, I find the most honest advice often comes from women I meet through the regular course of business. Recently, during some research I was conducting on electric vehicles, I learned that several women played integral roles in the development of the new Chevrolet Volt. I must confess, I don't know why this surprised me, but it did.
I was curious to learn how three female engineers—responsible for bringing a highly-anticipated and revolutionary new car to market—managed the demands of their work and home lives. Cristi Landy, heads product marketing for the Volt; Britta Gross is the "infrastructure" czar; and Nina Tortosa is the "lead aerodynamicist." Here's an excerpt of what they had to say.
1. Don't be afraid to take risks. It's the one thing I wish someone had told me when I first started my career. It's important to try new assignments and take on new responsibilities, even if they are outside of what you know or are comfortable with. —Cristi
2. Detach yourself from the issue. If something happens that derails my plans, or gets my day started on the wrong foot, I have found it really helps to detach myself from the issue. – Cristi
3. You don't always have to say "yes." Just as it is okay to take an hour off of work to go to the school Christmas party, it's also okay to tell the kids you can't make it to the Valentine's Day party. – Nina
4. Live your life. It took me a while to get over feeling guilty for not being at every activity, for every kid, every time. But my kids need to learn that mom has activities too, and that's okay. – Nina
5. Remember that you are good at what you do. When I have a bad day, or even a bad week, I find a great recipe to try – usually something French or Italian. And it inevitably doesn't come out at all like I imagined. That's when I'm reminded that what I do at work really matters, and I'm much better at it than at cooking. It's what gets me ready for Monday morning. – Britta
6. Unwind, at whatever cost. You have to make time for yourself. My way to unwind is by reading. Whatever I want. However long it takes. – Britta
What's the best work/life advice you've ever heard?
Read more of this interview on my blog ManicMommies.com.
