Editorial Team
Mompreneur Motivation Tricks to Keep You Going Strong, written by Claire Ward.
The media likes to say that the COVID-19 pandemic hit working mothers the hardest. However, according to a study by the Pew Research Center, the problems women with children had to face during this period are not exactly new.
Previous studies also show that working moms are more likely to face difficulties in the workplace due to the fact that they can’t give 100% of their time and resources. In short, it’s hard to balance work and parenting responsibilities, but most women out there do it anyway. And, their efforts and sacrifices hadn’t gone unnoticed. There are plenty of people speaking up about this situation and we can even read a collection of Mother’s Day stories that show just how hard 2021 was all around the world.
To join in the celebration and raise awareness, today we’ll focus on the power that drives women when chasing their goals while also being amazing mothers and wives. And, in support of that amazing power, we’ll mention a few tricks to keep you motivating and moving forward with your plan to conquer the world.
Plan, Plan, and then Plan Some More
Young kids like to have a daily routine that allows them to get comfortable with their environment and accept new information without feeling anxious. In addition, as the kids grow (and they do grow fast!) this routine will be helpful for the parents, as it will be easier to manage kindergarten, school, and other responsibilities that come along.
But, if you’re also working, planning will become your main ally. True, it won’t always go exactly as planned, but you will slowly settle into a routine that works for you and the kids. Moreover, when you have a plan for the whole week, you’ll feel less anxious about preparing meals, keeping the kids clean and happy, doing the house chores, and finishing those projects.
However, this only covers short-term planning, and you should also think about long-term planning. This includes your goals for the next two to five years, where you want your business or professional job to go, and how you plan on working on everything without burning yourself out. Also, don’t forget to factor in the help you’ll receive from your spouse, friends, and family (this is a huge factor that influences your success).
Reward Your Efforts
A spa day, an evening out with your friends, a day just for yourself, a city break, or just a few hours in your room with a good book and a cup of tea. All these can seem like forbidden luxuries to working mothers!
Sadly, in today’s day and age, it’s still a normal thing to see an overworked mother and think “well, that’s how it is when you have children.” While it’s true that kids can drain you of your last ounce of energy, you are also a human being and you shouldn’t be trying to do everything by yourself.
Working or not, mothers have the right to take a break and spend time taking care of themselves. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your spouse, family, and friends. And, if they’re not available, hire professional help to take care of the chores or spend a few hours with the kids.
Stay Connected
Friends who understand your situation and can empathize are priceless! So, if none of your current female friends have a similar life experience, join a local or online group of working moms. It may seem weird at first, but in time, you will come to understand just how important their support is!
Moreover, you may find inspiration in other working moms’ journey to success. After all, only a kindred soul can understand your excitement for landing a sale or getting a new project. And similarly, only people who go through similar experiences can prove truly inspiring.
Of course, this should come as an addition to the support you get from your loving family and partner.
Allow Yourself Room for Failure
Working moms take each step back to the heart because they somehow feel guilty for not performing 100% as mothers and as employees or entrepreneurs. Therefore, whenever something doesn’t go according to the plan, you may feel dark clouds gathering over your head accompanied by thoughts of failure and not being good enough.
However, failure is not a bad thing. It’s just a way of learning about what works in life. In addition, you can always try again, with a better mindset and an improved set of tools. So, avoid being harsh on yourself and pay attention to your mental health. Also, keep an eye out for signs of anxiety since it can easily snowball into something bigger.
Lastly, at the end of each day, count your wins (even if it’s just getting the kids to school on time) and practice being grateful for everything you have in your life. You will mess up a lot before you can consider yourself a successful entrepreneur, but once you get there, you’ll be grateful for all the challenges that shaped your path.
