Balancing Work and Family Life: A System That Changed My Life
The Juggle is Real
Are you are a working mom who is doing her best balancing work and family life? Juggling career, kids, housework, and wondering, "How do I keep up with everything without losing myself"? Balancing work and family life isn't easy. I used to feel like I was constantly dropping the ball. Work would pile up, mom guilt would creep in, and my to-do list was never-ending. It felt like I was failing at everything. Does this sound familiar?
The Key Shift in Mindset
It wasn't until I realized that balance isn't about doing it all—it's about doing the things that really matter and creating systems that work for your life. Once I figured that out, everything started to shift. Here are the three fundamental mindset shifts that changed everything:
Redefine Success: Success isn't just about the title or the paycheck. It's about living a life that reflects your values and what matters most to you.
Focus on What Matters: It's not about doing everything. It's about doing what truly matters, which makes decision-making easier and more intentional.
Let Go of Perfection & People Pleasing: Trying to please everyone and do everything perfectly is a recipe for burnout. Letting go allows you to focus on what truly matters to you and your family.
The Three Ps: Prioritize, Plan, and Protect
Now, let's dive into the system that changed my life forever—The Three Ps: Prioritize, Plan, and Protect.
1. Prioritize
Every Sunday night, I go through my working mom planner and determine my top three work and family priorities for the week. It's crucial to remember that not everything is urgent. Decide what deserves your time and energy.
2. Plan
Next, I tackle my to-do list by asking what can be delegated, deleted, outsourced, or systemized for efficiency. I also do a weekly check-in with my husband to review our shared calendar and divvy up responsibilities. Whether it's laying out outfits for the kids, hiring a cleaning service, or arranging meal deliveries, planning is about being as productive as possible.
3. Protect
The secret sauce to success: setting boundaries. I treat my time blocks like meetings with the CEO. I say no to non-aligning meetings and ask for help when needed. Boundaries help protect your time and energy. Whether it's no meetings after 4:00 PM or limiting extracurricular activities, setting limits lets you focus on what matters most.
Final Thoughts: Building Your Balance
Since implementing this system, I feel less overwhelmed, more present, and even have time for myself. Most importantly, I no longer feel guilty, as my time is spent on what matters most.
If you feel like you're being pulled in a million directions, try the Three Ps. Work-life balance isn't a myth; it's a method—a system you can build step by step. You don't have to do it alone. Join a community of working moms, or if you're interested in more, feel free to reach out about the Working Mama Reset Program. And don't forget to check out my free working mom planner.
Until next time, give yourself grace, keep going, and remember—you've got this! Thanks for reading. I'll see you in the next post.