For many years my life was all about work. I worked crazy hours, went to bed thinking about work and awoke with work on my mind. I would “hit the ground running”, rather than take time to “ground myself” and quiet my busy mind. In interactions with others, I was often thinking of the next thing on my “to do” list, rather than being totally present with the conversation. I was like a “spinning top” always “doing” and rarely “being”.
I typically took work home on weekends when I had a “real” job; and worked night and day when starting my consulting businesses and later my coaching business. I would finish one project, check it off the list and “get on” with the next one, rarely taking time to bask in the joy of my accomplishments.
Reflecting on those days, the birth of my two children were likely my “saving grace”. They “made me” take time off on weekends and some evenings to spend special quality time with them. If I hadn’t had kids, who knows what a “crazy” person I might have become!
Do any of these scenarios ring true for you? At this phase in life, I’m called to reach out to and support driven women who have made work a priority over their own health, their relationships, the rest of their life … . I know from personal experience the toll being a High Achieving Woman can take on your body, mind and relationships at home and at work. I’m called to share strategies that work with women like yourself and to create a global community and platform for women to share their experiences and support one another. I now know that there is more to life than living it “like a spinning top”.
Do you relate to any of the above? Do you have any similar experiences you’d like to share? I welcome your comments in the box below.
I completely related to the toll being a high achieving woman can take on my life and my family! I have worked hard in my 15 years as an entrepreneur to find the right balance and to make sure I spend enough time being and less time doing. Great post and great reminder that it takes focus and intention to stay in creative balance!
Hi Minette, Thanks for acknowledging the toll being a High Achieving Woman can take on yourself, your life and your family. Congratulations on finding the “right balance”. It takes commitment and support to change old patterns and definitely doesn’t happen over night as “old habits die hard”.
I sure can! Someone asked me just the other day what I did for fun and I really had to think about it. Not much unfortunately! Working to make that shift. The good news is that I love what I do whether it is as a business owner or a mom. It really doesn’t seem like work most of the time!
Good for you Sheila for acknowledging the need to make space to create more fun in your life. I can feel the passion you have for your work and your life as a Mom; and also know from experience that we need to make some time for ourselves and for fun! Our bodies can only be in constant motion for so long 🙂
Sheila, I remember that feeling well! I’ve been an entrepreneur since 1992 and like you was constantly living by my TO DO list and never taking the time to appreciate and value everything I had accomplished. It ‘s only been the last 2 or 3 years that I began living from my TO BE list that I’ve been able to truly thrive in, and enjoy, this part of my entrepreneurial journey. Thanks for a great post!
Linda, Thanks for sharing your experience and how you are currently thriving and enjoying your current way of life “living from your TO BE list” instead of your “TO DO list”.
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Happy you found the posts helpful. Best of luck to you all!