{resources, advice and community for working mothers}

The Integrated Mother® random header image

Entries Tagged as 'Balance'

Overcoming “Yes Woman” Syndrome

September 6th, 2008 · No Comments · Articles, Balance

This last week was horribly busy and it’s all my fault. If the dictionary had the term “Yes Woman” in it, I’d be pictured looking fried, worn and well…jacked up. I have a tendency to take on new projects or responsibilities, often with a smile and a “glad to help” attitude. When I’m in the [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:·····

Smart Tips for Offramping Your Career

September 2nd, 2008 · 2 Comments · Balance, Career

Working moms face tough choices when it comes to deciding whether to continue with their ambitious, pre-children career track full-time. Despite strides made to “break the glass ceiling” and offer women equal opportunities for advancement, there’s no question that taking time off for family reasons puts a kink in a normally smooth running, corporate career [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:······

How Working Moms Put the 80/20 Rule into Action

August 28th, 2008 · 5 Comments · Balance, Time Management

Have you ever wondered why you’re always busy, but at the end of the day, feel like you haven’t accomplished much? I used to struggle with that feeling everyday, that is, until I discovered and learned how to practically apply the Pareto Principle (more commonly known as the 80/20 rule).
The 80/20 Rule Defined
The 80/20 rule, [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:·····

Strategic Planning for Working Moms

August 24th, 2008 · 3 Comments · Balance, Career, Motivational

Twice a year, I sit down to do a bit of strategic planning and it’s not work-related, it’s work/life-related. In my years as an HR professional, turned business owner, I’ve discovered that the principles of good business often translate into practical principles for a good life. So, every February and August, I sit down to [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:···

To tell you the truth…

August 21st, 2008 · No Comments · Balance, Quips & Musings

“To tell you the truth…” happens to be one of those nuances in people’s speech that drives me absolutely crazy. Of course, the implication is that everything that preceded that disclaimer, was false. But, yesterday I realized that even though I avoid saying, “To tell you the truth,” or its equally distasteful companion, “To be [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:···

New Working Moms Should Use FMLA to Flex Their Work

August 16th, 2008 · No Comments · Balance, Career, For Moms

As if I don’t already have enough to keep me busy, I’m preparing to take the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification exam in December. Today, I refreshed my knowledge of the FMLA, or Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which most every working mom should know about.
You may understand FMLA as a [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:····

How it’s done

August 12th, 2008 · No Comments · Balance, Career, Motivational, Time Management

With the girls back in school, it’s just me and ‘Lil Man until we figure out an alternative child care situation. His regular caregiver is out on medical leave longer than anticipated, so we can either wait (until November) or find someone new. At this moment, it feels better to just keep him home with [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:·····

Overcoming guilt

July 28th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Balance, Quips & Musings

I wrote this post for another blog in June, while I was on my mini-vacation to Chicago. I meant to share it with you here, but time got away from me, so here it is now…
Every mother knows the feeling of guilt. In fact, I think we learn this feeling far before having children.
I’m in [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:···

“Position requires 90-100% travel…”

July 23rd, 2008 · No Comments · Balance, Quips & Musings

When I first graduated from college with my shiny BA English, I decided to bypass my default career decision to become an high school English teacher for a glitzy job as a technical trainer for a software company in San Diego. (If you’re wondering how I qualified - the short-story is I’m a bit of [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:···

How to Leave Work When You Get “The Call”

June 19th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Articles, Balance, Career

“The call” rarely happens at a convenient time in your work day. You might be in the middle of working through a tough project. You might be stuck in bumper to bumper traffic trying to get to a client meeting. Or you might just be enjoying a rare, but needed, break.
Then the phone rings.
As you [...]

[Read more →]

Tags:····