My work-life needs a makeover

Fascinating isn’t it? This is what I talk about for a non-living. This is what I advocate, this is my raison d’etre. And it has been turned upside down.

I had a great work-life integration when no one was really paying attention to this website. I did pilates in the middle of the day, took my little one to school and read her stories, stopped by the playground and played with her, went to see the occasional movie…but no longer.

Mostly because it is time to move forward and do more. And partly because there are some great opportunities on my plate after the ERE Expo that just wrapped.

Don’t get me wrong, I was starting to feel the self-imposed pressure before the show…and my husband was definitely starting to feel it…loud but apparently not very clear.

You see he is a consultant that lives in a city other than the one I live in with our little one. Often it is very manageable. But not this year. He’s been working out of NYC since March and leaves Monday morning and typically comes home Friday around dinner time. So that leaves me to do manage the house, do meals, take the little one to school, clean up from meals, manage our childcare and our hectic schedules, arrange and go to dr’s appts, and all the other stuff that makes a house run. While at the same time trying to get a start up off the ground.

And I’m starting to crack. I’ve got a turn at bat, I want to hit a double (seriously, a home run would be a whole lot more work), but I very much want to eat dinner with my little one and take her to school without being crabby and rushed about it. And I’d like my marriage to survive and thrive during this start up. So what to do.

Maximize resources
I’ve already talked with our nanny and while her hours won’t change, I will be piling a few more duties on her plate. And she is amenable to more hours on an as needed basis.

My house will now get cleaned more often…the cobwebs are starting to pile up so no more every other week. Once a week cleaning is on the docket.

Husband weekend help. He works very hard and is trying to do the right thing…it’s just not that easy. He doesn’t see what needs to be done, he doesn’t know what groceries we need unless I write them down, he has no idea when the sheets were washed last, he’s not really sure what toys go where (or for that matter what pans go where) so we’ll put together a weekend list of to dos and he’ll learn.  And I’ll have to learn to say “no” more when weekend plans come along that would be great…but are unrealistic at this time.

Spend more, for now
Thankfully his job keeps us flush…so I can afford to pay for some things I wouldn’t normally spend money on – like backing up my computer. We have an external hard drive…it would be easy to just plug in now and then. But honestly I’m not going to remember it and it will feel like one more thing on my plate. So I’m paying for online back up. It will happen automagically and is one thing I won’t have to think about.

Drive and pay to park…I’m a city girl…I walk everywhere or park at meters. Nope, not right now. If I’m running late…Valet parking here I come!

Get new resources
Guest bloggers…I’ve talked about it here and I’ll be following up with some of you that I have spoken to personally. It will be good for me and for all of you!

Intern…I’ve just placed at listing with both my alma maters (Suffolk University & Boston University) for an intern. This site is wonderful but keeping up with the weekly news digest, then posting all of great articles in the resources section, twittering it out, keeping up with the company Facebook page and then trying to build the business is not realistic. It’s time to hand off the stuff that I have set up a routine for and spend my time on strategy marketing and honing the parts I haven’t even concentrated on. I mean seriously, have you seen the pathetic Forums section?

None of this is overly difficult…it’s just doesn’t come naturally to me to not do it all.  I will keep you updated on how I’m/we’re doing. I had such a lovely summer…now it’s time to buckle down and get help.

And if you know of an intern that would like to do some blog/website administration and social media work send them my way:
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Career Life Connection is seeking an intern 10 hours per week to work on online and social media projects. These projects include updating the weekly news digest, updating the resources pages, posting links and information to the company Facebook page, sending out information and links via Twitter. There are also writing and editing opportunities available. Happy to train, no experience necessary (hey if I can do it, so can you!)

Work can be done at the CLC office in Boston’s Back Bay or anywhere if the candidate has their own computer.

This is an unpaid internship that could grow into a part-time position.

To apply please answer:

Why do you want this internship?
What your goals are for this internship?
Other internships/experiences that set you apart
Something unique about yourself

Respond either by email to intern@careerlifeconnection.com or by calling 617-313-6330 and leaving a message.

And relax. This isn’t life or death…it’s an internship. Have fun with the questions above.

CareerLifeConnection.com is where talented professionals looking for a more flexible work environment meet companies who understand that flexibility can lead to a more fulfilled, loyal and productive workforce while increasing the bottom line. Our website offers a job board, information resources, forums and articles on workplace flexibility.