My hackles are up.  And that’s probably a good thing as they haven’t been in a long time.

It’s probably because it’s the end of National Work and Family month.  You know that time of year when those in the work/life field who keep saying that workplace flexibility isn’t about moms and families, write about moms and families.

Polls are taken, surveys completed and women are looked at as not as ambitious, not wanting promotions, not wanting to work as hard as their male counterparts.

But I see it so differently.  The corporate world is broken.  There is no room for anything other than working traditionally in an office and being at your company’s disposal when they want you to – with little or no regard for your time and commitments.  And honestly, that sort of one-sided relationship doesn’t work for me.

It has nothing to do with my ambition, my drive, how much satisfaction I derive from my job.  Nope, it’s all about the fact that corporate America doesn’t work for me and for so many.  And honestly it never did work for me long before I was a mom.  As we enter into a knowledge-based workplace the demographics of those working and the challenges surrounding that kind of work have changed. But the workplace has not.

Opting out does not mean anyone (male or female) isn’t ambitious.  What it means is the system doesn’t work for them. And with demographics of the workforce evolving and becoming more female, perhaps that is what needs to be studied more – not the women who are opting out.

I got a job.

You may not have noticed, but I took a good chunk of the summer off.  Well not off exactly, but unplugged and working more inside my head than on this blog or on consulting work.  Lots of opportunities converged at once and it was a wonderful and confusing and take-a-breath kind of summer.

First – I was recommended for an high-level marketing job at an HR vendor.  My wheelhouse.  What I did before I started this adventure.  While I had not been looking for it, it found me and I went along for a ride to see where it may lead and if it was a fit.

Second – I was a lady who lunches.  And as such, a friend and I started talking about some growth her company was experiencing and the challenges that come with that growth and how I might just be a fit to help overcome some of those challenges.

Third – it was my first real summer as a mom.  My little one had been new to school, now she was new to summer vacation as was I.  And while we added a few summer camp weeks to the mix it really was more about sleeping a bit later, learning to swim and slowing down.

Finally – for the first time in a year and a half it looked like my husband was without a client.  As his industry says he was about to be “on the beach.”  In his line of work that doesn’t happen often and when it does you take full advantage of it.  To reconnect as a family, to head out on vacation and enjoy it.  Because before you know it another client will come along and off he goes on an airplane.

So all those things were happening and I was wrapping my head around most of them while hanging out with my family and friends.  I unplugged….a lot.  I sought advice – you know who you are and thank you!

Being unplugged was wonderful.  It gave me the time and distance I needed to really look at all that was in front of me.  And it helped me reach some decisions.  I was unplugged most of August and for 2 straight weeks.  Not at all what most Americans do and certainly not something I had done in a long time…but I recommend it.  You know why?  Nothing fell down, toppled over, disappeared forever or was lost during those two weeks.  I’m just not that important to anyone but me and my family.  Understanding that helped me make more decisions.

The marketing gig did not work out – for many reasons.  On my side, the more I thought about it, the more I could see what I was giving up.  Yes I would easily slide right back into a familiar and comfortable role.  And they were willing to be somewhat flexible.

But who would pick my daughter up from school 3 times a week?
How would I reconnect with my husband when he found himself between clients suddenly?
How would we have family dinner 3-4 times a week?
Who would be there for my mom on the occasions she could use an extra pair of hands?

It took me that time to be unplugged to realize that although changing industries was a bit frightening it was also very exciting.  I could work with people I really enjoyed and chose to spend time with.  I could do something I’m good at…marketing…while also learning and growing in an industry that I understand but do not know inside and out.  I could share a similar work philosophy – work when you need to, get the work done and communicate early & often.  And most of all, I could answer all the questions I posed above easily and without further juggling or stress.

So it is with great excitement that I announce I have started working with The Community Roundtable on their marketing efforts.

This doesn’t mean I will stop blogging, or taking clients in the human resources and work/life space.   I will just choose which assignments I take and when I take them more carefully.  And as I have yet to change the way the work world works I’ll continue shouting about it from rooftops, speaking at and attending conferences, and providing you my opinions whether you want them or not.

Some things may never change