Whatever work life balance looks like to you, there are steps you can take to set yourself up for success at work and at home. What conversations do you need to have and with whom? What things do you need to let go of… or prioritize?

These strategies are gleaned from my book, Your Turn: Careers, Kids and Comebacks–A Working Mother’s Guide, which published just before the pandemic began, when navigating career and motherhood was challenging enough. Now, working mothers are on the precipice of collapse, with little help in sight. It’s time to take back some of the control when it feels so totally out of control.

These tips are designed to help you do just that — to offer a new way of looking at old things, to give you confidence and inspire you. I’ve given this talk at Google and variations of it at other companies. The link I’m including here is a version I gave during the pandemic in August to over 800 women (virtually!) at the Professional BusinessWomen of California’s annual conference.

Here are 10 strategies for better work life balance, if that’s what you want to call it 🙂 I encourage you to watch the video (or read the book!) for examples or more detail.

  1. Know what’s available to you through your employer. What levers can they pull on your behalf?
  2. Organize the childcare that works for you.
  3. Prioritize what’s important to YOUR family.
  4. Overcommunicate with your children.
  5. Own your schedule.
  6. Learn to say NO.
  7. Onboard people to help.
  8. Rally your other support system.
  9. Create your own power circle.
  10. Take care of you.
  11. Give up on failure and guilt.

OK, the list is really 11! The first one is important at any time, but especially during the pandemic. Don’t forget how expensive it is for a company to lose a valued employee — we’ve heard from women on the brink of leaving before they even talk to their employer. Don’t do this. There’s too much at stake, and good employers will work with you.

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