Moms In Transition: Eight Steps To Get Back To Work

Moms In Transition: Eight Steps To Get Back To Work
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"It's never too late to be who you might have been." - George Eliot

Moms in the Bay Area are returning to work in greater numbers than ever before. The economic crunch and the fallen status of helicopter parenting has left the SAHM (Stay-at-home-mom) in transition. Living through your kids is officially out! The dilemma: how to find your passion and then turn it into a paycheck -- with kids. Working moms are the new priestess warriors -- Priestesses because they are still the vessels of our children's sacred truths. Warriors because they are giving up the myth of having it all and tolerating sacrifice as the price for reward.

8 ACTIONS FOR MOMS TO GET BACK TO WORK: FROM PURPOSE TO PAYCHECK

#1: IDENTIFY YOUR PASSION

In my seminars throughout the Bay Area and across the country, the process of going from purpose to paycheck starts with identifying passion. "If we bring forth what is within us, what we bring forth will save us; if we do not bring forth what is within us, what we do not bring forth will destroy us." We know we're in our passion when we feel fearless. Getting in touch with our passion is also our economic advantage. People who are driven by their inner gifts wake up earlier, work harder and are less distracted by activities that would move them away from their goals. Intention plus right action produces amazing, speedy results. Find time every day to connect to your passion. Exercise (yoga, running), journaling, music even doing dishes. As one of the moms commented: "I'm on my own, in my kitchen, it's a Zen moment."

#2: OVERCOME EMOTIONAL BLOCKS

Fear is part of being human. Successful people get it done despite their fears. They know what kinds of structures they need and they put them in place. Mourn the loss of who you think you need to be and embrace who you are. As Freud said, "Out of vulnerability will come your strength." Don't be afraid to feel your way to your passion.

#3: IDENTIFY THE SKILLS YOU HAVE DEVELOPED AS A MOM

Multitasking, managing a household, social-emotional fluency (reading a situation at a glance and knowing exactly what to do -- breaking up the fight between your kids at the park) are transferrable skills. Talk them up.

#4: USE THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

Positive thoughts are paramount, especially in times of doom and gloom, because they attract positive experiences. Write down a sampling of your thoughts three times a day to make sure they're positive.

#5: DISPEL THE MYTH OF HAVING IT ALL

There is no utopian balance to achieve. Every choice has a sacrifice. Get comfortable with uncomfortable feelings (guilt for not being home for dinner, fear of not doing it right, discomfort of being judged for a messy house). You can have it all but not all at the same time.

#6: IDENTIFY OBJECTIVES CLEARLY SO THE UNIVERSE CAN DELIVER

Crystal clear goals get results. Vague hopes don't. Be realistic about your goals and how much time you actually have to attain them. If you have 4 hours/week to devote to yourself while your child is in daycare -- don't expect to do all your errands, exercise and look for a job. If you haven't worked for a while, you may need some time for pure self care before you launch into the job search.

#7: TAKE A STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN

And trust that an opening will occur. "I want to know that all this effort will lead somewhere or it's not worth taking time away from my kids to do it" -- something we all feel as busy Moms. But we can't know the end before we begin. The universe rewards each step into the unknown by providing another opening; but we've got to step in even though we might not know what's next.

#8: LIVE ON THE EDGE

It's not easy being a working mom -- but it's also not easy living out of touch with your passion. If being a stay at home mom works -- that's beautiful. But if you need to get out to work to support your family or are driven to pursue your passion for its own sake -- embrace the challenge. If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much room.

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