Can you have it all? (Part 2)

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Lelyla, a mother from this community had something deep to contribute to this conversation and has kindly offfered that I share her insights with you.

You will be nodding yes as you read this, because it summarizes it well.

Leyla's point is that in addition to Extreme Time Management, the next thing you need is "Managing your energy levels"…

If you feel drained of energy and have nothing left for yourself, balancing motherhood and career feels just exhausting.

And this is the 3rd pillar we address in the 4 levers for life balance, for those of you who follow CherishClub on LinkedIn.

So, below is Leyla's contribution:

"Hi Rhode,

Thanks for sharing this and for the great work you are putting together! This is indeed helpful. Where I would chime in is that in addition to the "extreme time management" skills you mentioned, there are also insane productivity and energy levels involved.

I think the most difficult by far is the energy bit - having a baby is draining, but also leaves so little time to actually recharge the batteries and do something meaningful for oneself.

Case in point: I used to be a regular at my yoga classes, going 3 times a week sometimes, and this was critical for my well-being and for managing my back issues; right now, despite me knowing what to do and when in order to restore my energy levels, the hours of the yoga class clash with the couple of hours a day I get to be with my kid, playing with her, but most importantly feeding/nursing her. The one time a week I could go, I'm just too tired to push hard on the extreme time management and productivity buttons and I just want to slow down.

I find it very difficult to be productive all the time and this leaves me just drained of energy to do anything when I do have some time on my hands (i.e I know in theory I could do yoga by myself at 9pm when the baby sleeps, but I'm much too drained to do anything but vegetate and drag myself to bed at 9.30pm).

I found this Instagram reel that hits the issue on the head particularly well, so sharing it in case it resonates with other mothers as well."

There are times I feel the same way as Leyla, and I'm sure you too.. And Leyla's contribution has encouraged me to organize a workshop on managing energy levels where everyone here can truly share their "best practices to manage your energy levels as a working mother".

You are busy already, so this will be a practical workshop and give you some change in perspective as we move towards the close of the year. Tough period, heh?