Back To Work With Baby!

Well, it has been a busy first week back to work after a 3 month maternity leave. Although I had prepared mentally for this time, knowing that it would not be the same as before, it was still difficult to make that adjustment.

I had set up some phone meetings with potential clients for this week, only to find out that the day I had planned them, my nanny was unable to come as scheduled. This left me to decide whether to change the calls to another time, or take the chance that Benji would either be sleeping or quiet during the meeting. In the end I managed to get him to sleep about 20 minutes before, so I was able to keep the appointments. Needless to say it was another reminder that life as a working mom will not be the same as before!

On a positive note, I have realized that I am able to get a lot done in less time. I think there is actually room for more efficiency when time is more limited. We spend so much of the day wasted on checking unimportant emails, surfing or researching things that are not top priority. When faced with a more limited schedule, I found that I can actually get a lot more of the important stuff done. Working under pressure seems to be more productive for me in the end.

I read a quote this morning from an article in Entrepreneur.com that said "The only thing that separates those who become entrepreneurs from those who don't is moving forward despite any fear." Entrepreneur Mom
This speaks to me since there is always fear when taking on such challenges as raising a family and nourishing a business. Fear of financial stability, fear of failure and fear of time to name a few. Although there is this fear, there is also an excitement and drive to get to work. To have that independent feeling again and to use your brain cells for things other than singing the ABC's!

All in all, it was good to be back in the professional world and I look forward to the challenges of balancing my personal life with my professional life.
Have a great weekend!

Back To Work!

Welcome!
Everyone knows it is a challenge being a working mom, but isn't until you go through it that you realize just how challenging it is. My professional life and personal life have always been intertwined since I am in business with my father. We run an interior design company and have been in business together for the past 6 years which has posed many challenges on its own. I have now been fortunate enough to add "mom" to my job criteria. Meet my 3 month old son Benji...

He has been the greatest gift in our lives so far, but figuring out how to balance our new family life with my professional life poses some questions. For the past 3 months, I have been fortunate to be able to be home with Benji and watch him grow. This time has been as chaotic as it has been amazing. I have taken time to focus on Benji, myself and my husband, and adjust to our new life as a family. The time has come however to get back to work, a seemingly impossible task at this point. So many questions remain unanswered and I am excited as well as nervous to meet these challenges head on.

-Will I be able to make it to meetings, be creative and impress clients all on 3 hours of sleep a night?

-When I'm at work will I always miss home and when I'm home, will I always be thinking about work?

-Will there be enough business and finances to justify paying full time day care to support my career?

These are just a few of the many questions that I am going to find answers to as I head back to work after the Fourth of July weekend. I am filled with excitement as I watch my DS on the baby monitor right now (he has begun sleeping on his tummy!) I am excited for the person he is slowly becoming, I am excited for our future with him and all of the fun that awaits, and I am excited to be a positive role model for him in my professional career as an interior designer and business owner. Next week is sure to start a series of interesting challenges, and I am looking forward to trying to have it all! :)