Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms

In this episode of the podcast, we delve into overcoming the burden of 'shoulding'—that nagging feeling of always having to meet certain expectations.

I chat with my client Marilyn about how this constant pressure was dictating her life choices, causing stress and preventing her from being present with her family. Throughout our coaching, we explored identifying these intrusive thoughts and finding strategies to pivot away from them.

Marilyn shares her journey of shifting from feeling overwhelmed by obligations to embracing a more balanced, fulfilling life as a working mom.

Topics in this episode:

• Tackling the pressure of "shoulds" and how to shake them off. 
• Insights from Marilyn's coaching experience and key takeaways. 
• Strategies for juggling career goals and motherhood effectively. 
• Marilyn's personal growth journey and the shifts in her mindset. 
• Handy tools and techniques from coaching to live more intentionally.  

 Show Notes & References: 

• This podcast is on YouTube! Check it out by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg  
• Learn more about coaching with me by clicking here: https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/aligning-motherhood-program  
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin  

Enjoying the podcast?

• Make sure you don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or where ever you listen to podcasts.  
• Leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. 

It's not easy to travel for work particularly if you have young kids at home. There’s lots of feelings of guilt, sadness, likely anxiety. There’s a lot of coordination and plans that have to be made, traveling for work is just hard.

In today’s podcast I want to talk about the cocktail of emotions that we experience as working moms when we travel for work. I’m gonna talk about my own experience of traveling when my daughter was young and how I ugly cried on the floor of my hotel room, and then will dig into the three choices you have if you travel for your job and are experiencing lots of guilt and sadness. 

Topics in this episode:

• Chatting about how tough it is to keep up work-life balance when big changes hit. 
• Real talk on why the usual calming tricks sometimes don’t cut it. 
• Believing things will get better, even when it’s all up in the air. 
• Sharing stories about the tough emotions of traveling for work as a mom. 
• 3 options for dealing with travel guilt and sadness. 

Show Notes & References:   

• This podcast is on YouTube! Check it out by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg  
• Learn more about coaching with me by clicking here: https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/aligning-motherhood-program  
• Listen to Episode 66 here: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/podcast/2022/6/20/cultivating-satisfaction-at-work 
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin 

Enjoying the podcast? 

• Make sure you don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or where ever you listen to podcasts.  
• Leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. 

In today's podcast episode, I tackle the challenging topics that resonate deeply with many of you. I delve into listeners questions on the struggles of feeling undervalued at work, the complexities of networking, and the harsh realities of the motherhood penalty.  

It's a packed episode filled with heartfelt inquiries from the Ambitious and Balanced Working Moms community, highlighting the universal challenges and offering guidance on how to navigate these tough situations with confidence.  

Whether you're dealing with workplace issues or personal development hurdles, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice. 

Topics in this episode: 

• Navigating feelings of being undervalued at work. 
• Addressing the challenges of networking as an introvert. 
• Understanding and overcoming the motherhood penalty. 
• Strategies for self-advocacy and boosting self-confidence. 
• Encouraging personal growth and effective communication in professional settings. 

Show Notes & References:   

• This podcast is on YouTube! Check it out by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg  
• Learn more about coaching with me by clicking here: https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/aligning-motherhood-program  
• Join my email list here: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/emaillist 
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin 

Enjoying the podcast? 

• Make sure you don’t miss a single episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or where ever you listen to podcasts.  
• Leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

In today's episode, we are doing a listener question and answer. We are diving into questions that you submitted via email or social media. Today, we are covering questions around what happens when you simply do not have enough time to get everything done and how you handle all of the overwhelm that comes with that. 

We will talk about what happens when you slip back into cycles of over prioritizing work and scheduling over times of self care. And lastly, we will dig into compromising on parenting boundaries and what to do when your kid just wants to eat fruit snacks for breakfast! 

This is going to be a two part series, and next week we are going to be covering additional questions that were submitted from listeners just like you. So be sure to hit the subscribe button and tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Topics in this episode:

• Managing time effectively and coping with the feeling of never having enough hours in the day. 
• Establishing and sticking to parenting boundaries while dealing with children’s demands and tantrums. 
• Prioritizing self-care and breaking the cycle of reverting to work-centric habits. 
• Addressing the "motherhood penalty" and advocating for oneself in the workplace. 
• Networking strategies for introverted moms and maintaining energy levels post-events. 

 Show Notes & References:  

• This podcast is on YouTube! Check it out by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg 
• Learn more about coaching with me by clicking here: https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/aligning-motherhood-program 
• Listen to the 75/25 podcast episode here: https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/161 
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin

In this episode, I sit down with Kim, my coaching client to talk about managing a successful career and being a devoted mom. We dive into how society often expects us to be everything to everyone all at once, the importance of truly being present in both our professional and personal lives, and how coaching turned out to be a lifesaver for her in navigating a balanced life. 

Kim shares her personal journey of how coaching opened her eyes to what's genuinely important and taught her to be at peace with the balancing act of career and family life. 

This episode all about shaking off the guilt, discovering what really drives us, and making choices that allow us to thrive in our careers while being a present and connected mom.

Topics in this episode:

• It’s okay not to be perfect.
• Sorting out what really matters to you, both as a mom and in your career.
• Looking after your mental health and dealing with the mom guilt.
• Highlighting how coaching can really change the game for moms trying to juggle it all.
• Personal growth, figuring out who you are, and making choices that fit your life.

Show Notes & References: 

• This podcast is on YouTube! Check it out by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg
• Stop the mom guilt and people pleasing by hiring me as your coach. Click here to book a call and to start the process. https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” or “Come on, come on, come on!” these are familiar phrases when rushing through daily life, particularly as a working mom. Although every working mom can relate, rushing is completely optional. There is a physical, mental and emotional impact that a “rushed” life has that takes away from the calm, present and joy-filled experience of everyday life and there is a way you can avoid it.

In this episode, I dive deep into the mindset behind this hurried life, dissecting how our day-to-day hustle shapes our interactions and well-being and how, in the end, we bring this upon ourself (yikes!). I will also dive into 3 steps to help you shift from the relentless chase against time to a more controlled and present approach to life's demands.

Topics in this episode:

• Busy moms often feel rushed – why does this happen?
• How rushing feels stressful and chaotic, leading to impatience and hasty actions.
• Rushing is a mindset you can change, not just a result of having too many things to do.
• If you had to choose between being “on time” or present, which would you choose? It’s important to know your answer.
• 3 steps to feeling less rushed and being more in control of your time/energy

Show Notes & References:

• This podcast is on YouTube! Check it out by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg
• Stop the constantly rush and take back control of your time, energy and presence by hiring me as your coach. Click here to book a call and to start the process. https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin

In this episode I introduce the "75/25 rule," where you make it a goal to ONLY be 75% ready for meetings, presentations, or talks with clients, instead of stressing out to get everything perfect. I will explain why going beyond 75% preparedness often doesn't pay off in terms of the extra time and energy spent.

In this episode I will discuss the downsides of overpreparing, like missing out on quality time with family or personal hobbies because you're too caught up in work details. When you are not aiming for 100% preparedness, you can save yourself from feeling stressed and make room for the things in life that make you happy.

At the end of the episode, I will offer 3 tips to adopt the 75/25 rule in your daily routine. I will share stories from working moms who've strived for only 75% preparedness and found a better balance between their work and personal lives.

Topics in this episode:

• Rebecca Olson talks about the "75/25 rule": Be mostly ready for stuff, not perfectly ready.
• Trying too hard to be 100% ready isn't worth the extra work.
• If you don't aim for perfection, you'll have more time for fun and family.
• People who tried the 75/25 rule ended up happier with their work and home life.
• 3 tips to adopting the 75/25 rule

Show Notes & References:

• Check out my 3 tips to a non-rushed morning on my new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg
• Take the next step to end over-preparedness, procrastination and people pleasing by scheduling a free coaching call: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin

Most women don’t quite understand what is at the heart of mom guilt. They’ll say they feel guilty for working or for sending their kids to daycare or for not spending more time with their family, but this is not actually where guilt comes from.

In today’s episode I’m sharing with you the real story behind mom guilt. Here is a hint: It does not have to do with how much you work, or how much time you spend with your kids or the fact that they spend more time with a caretaker then with you during the workday…it is about the story you are telling yourself. 

I will also normalize the experience of mom guilt and explain its connection to the mama bear phenomenon. At the end I will offer 3 reflection exercises to help pull yourself out of any guilt that you’re experiencing so you are able to be more present and engaged at both work and home.

Topics in this episode:

• Mom guilt doesn’t have to do with working or with the amount of time you spend with your kids.  
• You are not a bad mom for working  
• Changing the story from being “not good enough” as a mom because you work 
• What do your kids gain from being at daycare? 
• The difference between sadness and guilt  
• What is the mama bear phenomenon and how does it contribute to guilt?

Show Notes & References:

• Check out the Ambitious and Balanced podcast on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg  
• If you don’t want to waste any more time in a job you find unfulfilling or where you lack balance, click here to schedule a free call to learn my 3 step coaching process to creating an ambitious yet balanced working mom life: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book  
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin

As an ambitious working mom, burnout and exhaustion come easily. Your brain is hardwired to want to do more and achieve more, it’s part of who you are and what makes you successful, but it’s also causing exhaustion. The most natural thing for you to do is to achieve more, not to rest. Resting, prioritizing yourself and your family, choosing to do fun and spontaneous things instead of work more, this kind of life doesn't come naturally to ambitious women and so requires intentionality and effort.

In today’s episode I’m sharing with you 7 practical things you can do to help you prioritize rest and fun instead of doing more so you can create the sustainable ambitious (yet balanced) life you want.

Topics in this episode:

• Why exhaustion and burnout happen is so common for working moms
• What it takes to ensure burnout doesn’t happen to you
• Controlling your time and energy is the opposite of exhaustion
• Committing to none work time
• Sleep as a strategy
• My favorite practice to give my brain some space

Show Notes & References:

• Thought download reference: Ep 91: #1 tool to get out of negative thoughts and emotions
• Check out the Ambitious and Balanced podcast on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg
• If you are ready to learn how to shut down your work brain and to be “unavailable” to work, sign up for a free breakthrough call where I will walk you through the 3 essential steps. Click here: https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin

Most ambitious women have a core value of “being available” that they're almost ashamed to admit. It's like a value that they don't want to value. Always being available makes it difficult to create work-life balance because it has you always being “on” and unable to shut down your work brain, rest or be present with your family.

In today's episode I dive into 6 excuses that your brain is likely using to justify being available and the over-working behavior that comes with it. You cannot be both present and available, at some point you will need to choose and I’ll explain the first steps on how to do that.

Topics in this episode:

• The core value no one wants but most women have: being available
• Why valuing being available is not helpful to creating work-life balance
• How to know if you are over-valuing being available
• 6 excuses your brain is using to keep you feeling tethered to your phone and to responding to messages and emails
• You are still good at your job, even if you are unavailable
• The first step to stop being available: decide when you are working and when you are not and communicate that to your team

Show Notes & References:

• Check out the Ambitious and Balanced podcast on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg
• If you are ready to learn how to shut down your work brain and to be “unavailable” to work, sign up for a free breakthrough call where I will walk you through the 3 essential steps. Click here: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin