You’re a high performer, and you’re used to being successful. Naturally, you want that in all areas of your life. You’re waking up early to take care of the kids, working all day, then taking care of the kids again and keeping the home life humming after work. It can feel like time is not on your side.

Maybe you’re skipping drinks with friends after work. Or telling your boss can’t work late for that very important project due tomorrow. You feel guilty if you stay and guilty if you don’t.

I’ve heard this more than once and it doesn’t have to be that way – it starts with asking yourself: what does success look like to you?

Defining success on your own terms

How do you define success? Not only as a professional – but also as a mom.

What does being a great mother mean to you? Maybe it’s coming home for dinner by 6 pm or no work on weekends. Or maybe it’s making sure that you are able to spend enough quality time with your children.

How about your career? What does success look like to you as a professional woman? Maybe you want to make a lot of money, get a better title, or a up level your experience in a specific type of work.

Whatever you choose in both areas, make it a priority and focus everything you do around bringing this blended vision to life.
A good habit is to practice saying “no, thanks” to things that don’t help you achieve your version of the success you want in your life. Maybe the right thing to do is take a pass on leading the annual school fundraiser or let someone else take on that new client at work.

You don’t need to do things that don’t move you forward in your goals. It’s ok to delegate and hire or ask for help.

Does your vision of professional and personal success align?

Once you’ve thought about what success looks like to you, ask yourself if your vision for each area compliments the other. If not, where do you need to make adjustments so they’re aligned? What do you need to do to bring this blended vision to life?

For example, if success means being able to spend more time with your children, you might consider finding a job that has flexible hours or lets you work from home.

Or if you want to keep going full speed ahead in your career, are there any people you can reach out to or hire to support you with childcare or household responsibilities? Who can you bring into your life to help you create the success that you want to see?

Keep checking in on your definition of success

As your kids grow up and the demands of your job changes, you may need to redefine what success means to you.
Being successful is all about how you define it for yourself. Once you know what you want, make a plan to make it happen and modify it as life changes.

During my one-on-one coaching program, we work on aligning your career goals with your life and I often help clients who are struggling with balancing their careers with motherhood. You don’t need to give up one for the other. Many successful women are able to have fulfilling careers without sacrificing motherhood – and that could be you, too!

How do you blend your work & home life so that you win in your way? Share your best strategy or biggest struggle in the comment section below.

To your success,

Cindy Harvey is a Career Strategy Coach and Founder of Amelia Dee, a career strategy company for women. Cindy helps corporate career women learn how to make the next phase of their careers the most fulfilling version they’ve ever had.

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