Managing It All: How to Be A Mom and A Go Getter

Being a mom is exhausting. Being a go getter is exhausting. Put these two together, and without proper management, you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

So, what are some ways to manage such an intense life, and avoid impending disaster, you ask?

You start by getting clear on what your priorities are.

I don’t know about you, but I love chasing my dreams and pursuing my purpose. It fuels me with passion, and fills me with excitement about my future.

But make no mistake, as much as I love what I get to do, it is not my top priority.

My top priority are my children. I imagine you feel the same way too.

Now that doesn’t mean there aren’t times when I choose to do some work, or anything else for myself, and say no to their requests and wants. But what it does mean, is in the grand scheme of things, I’m a mom first. And being clear on that, helps me to keep things in balance.

Be clear about the time and space you need, to do the work that you have to do.

If you have another adult living in the house with you, or children old enough to understand, communicate your needs to them. Let them know that you’ve set aside a block of time to do your work, and once you’ve finished, you’ll be more present.

It’ll be easier for them to give you your time and space, if they know how important your work is to you; and if they have a clear understanding that you will have plenty of time for them once you’ve finished.

Adjust your expectations.

No matter how hard you try or how much you plan, things come up, and life happens.

There are going to be days when things just aren’t going to go smoothly. Your kids may get sick and require a whole lot more of your time and attention.

Your baby might be teething, and therefore, a lot crankier than usual.

Whatever the case, be ready and willing to adjust your time. Maybe instead of having an hour to work, you may only have 15 minutes here and there.

Those are the days you have to remember that, little progress, is still so much better than no progress at all.

Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest.

I totally get being tempted to stay up late, after the kids have gone to bed, to get some work time in. In fact, I’m guilty of doing it right now.

But it’s a bad habit that I am genuinely trying to break.

As much as I’d like to believe I’m super woman, I’m not. I require a proper amount of sleep, just like everyone else.

We need our sleep and rest to stay healthy, vibrant, energized, and emotionally and mentally stable for the tasks we face each day. After all, we don’t have just one job; we have two. Yes, motherhood is a full-time job in itself!

Me time and solitude time, will keep you functioning at your best.

I’ve written a full post before on the importance of solitude time, if you haven’t read it, I encourage you to http://nolongerastayathomemom.com/2019/11/10/solitude-time-vs-me-time/.

I separate the two because I believe they both offer you something different, and meet two separate needs.

Me time, is the time to love on yourself.

This could mean going to hang out with friends; going to get your hair or nails done; or even going to the local coffee shop to drink your coffee in peace and read a really good book.

Whatever it is you choose to do, it is something that refreshes and rejuvenates you.

Solitude time on the other hand, lives up to its name. It is time alone, period.

There’s no one sitting next to you; no one speaking on television; there’s not even the distraction of an author or character’s voice out of a book.

There’s just you

It’s a time to gather your thoughts; to re-evaluate your life. To listen to your own voice, without input from anyone else’s.

Honestly, it’s the time when I get my most creative ideas.

You may have to lock yourself in a closet, hideout in the bathroom or go sit in the car in the garage just to have your solitude time. But whatever you have to do, do it! You’ll find it is so worth it, and so beneficial.

Last of all, be patient with yourself.

As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” And you know what, the fulfillment of your goals and purposes won’t be either.

Great things take time.

And add motherhood to it, means it’s going to take even more time.

Be patient with yourself, your children, and your progress.

When things are progressing quickly, enjoy the rush. Take full advantage of it. But when things are progressing slowly, find contentment in enjoying the journey.

Because one day you’ll have arrived, and you want to be able to look back, and know that you took time to enjoy this incredible experience, of being a mom, and a go getter.

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Outside of being an amazing mom, what is it you are going after?