Legit just jumped out of the shower to write and record this podcast. I am sitting here, wet hair, bringing some hot off the mental presses stuff. 

You’ve seen me talk about how I believe balance is a lie. Balance implies that all the balls are in the air, your splitting time evenly, every plate is spinning. This. Is. Bullshit.

The working moms I talk with every day struggle so hard with this concept of balance because it leaves them always feeling like they’re doing everything fine, but never great- and rarely with time for themselves.

Have you been there? Me too.

I want to chat today about the concept of being present - over being balanced. This is a tough lesson I have had to learn recently (and many times before) and I am SO GRATEFUL that Ryan keeps challenging me in this area.

Here’s a little back story - I am finally feeling like my coaching business has legs. It’s incredible. I’m able to serve more women at a higher level and I am on Cloud 9 about that. The issue is, I tend to get very focused on what’s lighting me up, to the detriment of those around me. Ryan and I had a heart to heart recently as I was explaining what my business would need to be successful during this Mom Strong Method launch (i.e. more time away from the family) and he challenged me in a beautiful way.

You see, he believes in me, in my dream, wants me to be happy. He’s willing to give me space to grow this business which means more duties fall on his plate. I am SO LUCKY and never take that for granted…

…except I do.

What I was doing was taking more structured time for office hours but when I was with Zeke and Ryan, I wasn’t truly present. I was answering texts, emails, responding on FB, sneaking away to shoot off a voice text. You can only imagine how frustrating that is for my family who already is feeling like they’re second fiddle during this time of growth for my business. So, after Ryan lovingly but firmly letting me know that this wasn’t working for him and Zeke - I made a promise.

Be present.

That is my lesson for today. If you’re in a season of life where shit is going down at home or your job is heating up or your extracurricular activities are taking time - when you are at home, be present. The world CAN wait and WILL wait - if you train it to. How you let others treat you and interact with you is how you train them to continue to to do so.

Here are some of my tips:

Set boundaries with others. Let them know your response time, let them know that you do/do not check emails on weekends or nights. Let them know when they CAN reach you - and stick to that.

Inform your family. Do NOT go around sneaking in and out to respond to the world around you. Ask for structured time, stick to that structured time and when you’re not IN that structured time - be present.

Take time to check in with your family. Tell them what your goal with your business, work, etc. is and have them help you make it work. Half the battle is having them understand why you need what you need - and helping you get there. ALSO give them permission to say that does not work for them.

This takes TIME undoing habits, retraining those around you, reminding yourself and others how you need to be present. It won’t happen over night. The pull to do it all but never be present is strong. I am right here alongside you in the arena fighting this battle, too. I am cheering for you AND doing my best to be present with my family when I’m with them because they’re too important not to be.