Who has read Emma Grede’s Start With Yourself? I dove in this Memorial Day Weekend (finally!!), and grateful for the rainy, events-free weekend I needed for this.
A message that resonated so deeply was around what it takes to have an extraordinary career. Her message landed at the perfect time as I navigate how I grow and successfully scale, find new ways to prioritize my time, be present for my family and clients, set new boundaries that align with evolved sports schedules—all at once. Extraordinary effort!
Seeing Emma IRL and getting a copy of “Start With Yourself” was a definite highlight from this years ADWEEK Social Media Week!
Changes impacting the routine as I knew it:
More clients that I love and care about deeply
Weekend work in-between all the family commitments
Noodling that never stops
Shuffling back and forth to NYC (in fact, I am writing this on the train home after being in 4 different offices in one day)
My boys involved in multiple sports after school and longer homework assignments that need my attention
Saying no to extras…weekday friend meetups, board meetings/volunteerism, etc.
Saying goodbye to our beloved nanny/babysitter
Finding a minute for homework time outside in between all the sports.
Needless to say, I am experiencing a whole new work life chapter, forced to rebuild boundaries and routines I worked so hard to design.
Sacred family dinner time 6-8pm has evolved because well, my kids are enjoying the extended day light on the field (between baseball, travel soccer, travel hockey, flag football, tutoring, and play dates they are out much later)
No weekend work policy has been replaced with my work spillover - client work, prep for the week, the not-talked-about PeopleSense admin and planning
No formal PTO...so no PTO
Coveted me time: sleeping & running. I won’t give either of these up but I have moved away from the exact routine to accommodate both in my every day (e.g., sleeping at 11pm, but waking up at 6am vs 10pm and 5am)
Girl, you need help! Here is what I am actively leaning into:
1. Redefining availability
Shorter, more realistic guardrails vs. idealized ones - letting go of “perfect routines”
Being clearer and faster in saying no
Being present in the place I have chosen to be (get off your phone at baseball)
Being kinder to myself with the amount of sleep I get and adjusting my morning run
2. Getting tactical help at home
Turning to my husband to be the House Manager (this is a story in-the-making)
In this Female Quotient research, 74% percent of surveyed parents say sharing caregiving responsibilities helped them advance their careers. When both partners share the load, a woman’s career, ambitions, and financial autonomy are not sidelined
Carpools and “divide and conquer” nights
Accepting that not every kid activity has to have me in it
3. Implementing support systems at work
Investing in AI and new time management management tools where possible
Being clearer with clients on timelines and availability
Moving away from time & materials pricing
4. Refuel Fridays: The @home build PS day
Prioritizing BD and relationship meetings
Catching up on Corporate MomSense
Lunch and coffee dates
5. Accept & shift
I won’t go back to my old routine. I am building a new one that actually works for this version of my life, and I will rebuild it again and again, and that is ok.
On the road for client meetings and learning how to adjust to this new routine!
