When I launched my website, I made a commitment to myself that I would blog once a week. Every Wednesday, an article would land in the inbox of my wonderful subscribers. By giving me their email, they get the chance to read it a full 24-hours before everyone else. Then, it would be released to the world on a Thursday! The topics have always been varied, but all help you create a career to enjoy. From CV tips, discussing working parent guilt, business start-up mindset to return to work tools, it’s been a weekly target for me to get the words out.
Yet, something was amiss last week.
If you are a close observer to the communication from Clara, you may know what is coming.
Last week, no blog was produced. No email was scheduled. No updates created on my website.
The thing was, last week my creative juices were running a little flat.
I could have pulled something together to hit the self-imposed deadline, but if I’m honest, I know it wouldn’t have been any good!
So, I made the decision to quietly step back, for one week, on my blog. I put my efforts into other places that would have a bigger impact. The two workshops, the number of 1:1 calls with coaching clients.
Yet I wondered “Will anyone notice I haven’t written a blog?” and “What will they think of me?“
My mind was dripping with a monologue of working parent guilt!
As of yet, I’ve not had any irate subscribers emailing me, demanding to know where the missing blog was! On honest reflection, the only person that has been impacted by the lack of blog is me! By not producing this 600 word or so piece, I was able to focus my energy on my business.
But yet, I had to deal with the working parent guilt that was created, by, as I felt, my failure. I had missed my self imposed deadline. There were lots of “should” – and we all know my opinion on that word – I should have prepped better, I should have planned better, I should have worked longer days (as I knew that a busy week was coming up!)
Yet as I said, it appears no one noticed! No one has commented on the overwhelming disappointment that for this one week, my blog hadn’t materialised.
Sometimes the only person we are letting down is ourselves
How often do we tell ourselves that if we don’t do something, attending something, engage with something, that people will be:
Frustrated
Disappointed
Angry
Let down?
When, in fact, many don’t mind or even don’t notice.
So, in this SHORTER blog this week, I share this message for you.
In the moments when you feel overwhelmed, overstretched, or lacking in output, then take a step back.
Work out the things that HAVE to happen – those things on your to-do list that will actually impact your clients, your colleagues, your friends and family and most importantly, YOU!
For those things that people won’t mind about. Or those things that don’t matter (as much as they matter in your head) just step back.
The to-do list will still be there after you have rested and regrouped. Then you finally will have the headspace and the energy to create something worthwhile!
If you are currently struggling with where to step back, then try and follow my techniques on how to reduce your to-do list and feel less overwhelmed.
If want to join a group of over 500 parents and parents to be looking to create a career to enjoy. Then hop over to the Facebook Group and join in the conversation! With regular training, coaching, Q&As and support, it will help you focus and take control
Clara Wilcox is a straight-talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time you had a career to enjoy, not endure? Talk to me NOW about how I can help.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
