26 Apr Career or family?
|| It shouldn’t have to be a choice ||
Being a woman in this fast-moving world is no easy task, and I know from experience that we face a lot of expectations coming from many directions.
We’re expected to be great moms, successful career-women, amazing homemakers in beautiful, toned bodies. But let’s not forget, we’ve got the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else, and I believe we all need our beauty sleep too! So it’s no wonder the phenomenon of overworking is becoming all too common in our lives.
THE CULTURE OF OVERWORKING IS ALMOST LIKE A DRUG.
Long hours, being available 24/7 through different communication channels, and feeling the pressure to give up personal time for work. This culture of overworking is almost like a drug. And just like with all drugs, it leads to health problems, strained relationships, and a lower quality of life.
I’ve seen this messed-up work-life balance force us, especially women, to choose between career and family. As jobs get more demanding, it becomes harder for us to juggle work and home life.
So what can we do to stop allowing more and more women having to choose between career and family? I think first of all, we all need to remove the idea from our heads that we have to choose. We would need to stop fearing that we will fail at one or the other. Or both. Because we won’t. We are the masters of multitasking and we are extremely resilient.
Secondly, I would suggest that we look at our careers with a pinch of salt. Yes, our job means a lot to many of us. But it is not the only important thing in our lives and we need to learn to treat it that way. We shouldn’t shy away from making use of parental leave, remote work, and taking career breaks. These breaks will not only let us breathe different air for a minute, they will also allow us to put ‘things’ into perspective again. It’s like in a relationship. A little distance here and there makes you appreciate your better half even more.
sET BOUNDARIES BY DEDICATING SPECIFIC TIMES FOR WORK AND FAMILY.
Thirdly, if you are in a relationship, split the load. Take Sheryl Sandberg, Ex Meta COO, mother of two, and author of the influential book ‘Lean In’. She found success in her career and family life, even with the same pressures we all face. She stresses the importance of having a supportive partner who shares home responsibilities and encourages women to chase their career dreams without holding back due to potential family issues down the line. Granted, she’s gone through two divorces, but it doesn’t mean her points aren’t valid. Sheryl also encourages women to lean into big jobs and challenges early in their careers, which could lead to better work-life balance in the future, promotions, higher pay, more exciting jobs, and increased flexibility.
Another great example of balancing career and family life is Jessica Alba, the actor-turned-entrepreneur and founder of The Honest Company. Despite her busy professional life, she always puts her family first. She sets boundaries by dedicating specific times for work and family, making sure she’s fully engaged in both roles.
It is so important to lead by example, especially if you are in charge of a team (no matter how big or small). If you work mad hours and race towards a burn out, you are setting the wrong tone in your team/company/department. In my experience, creating a supportive environment at work and promoting work-life balance for employees is essential. This includes offering family-friendly perks like flexible work hours and a company culture that values family time. Just like Alba has been able to create in the culture of the Honest Company.
Research shows that the lack of flexibility in high-skilled jobs often makes women choose between work and family. More companies should recognise that and provide the necessary support to ensure they can excel in their careers without compromising their family life. Having said that, flexible working shouldn’t become female or mother exclusive. We all have a right to flexibility at work.
HIRE PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME VALUES.
Globalistina as a company is still in its infancy. But we are three female co-founders, who are not willing to choose between one or the other. We respect that personal matters, especially when it comes to family, should always take priority. And we aim to run a business where none of us is irreplaceable (at least for a while), so we can cover for absence at any given point. We also cultivate a work environment that is fully flexible from a geographical perspective and we allow for working hours that suit personal circumstances. We truly believe that this approach benefits the people that work for us and the business overall. You just have to hire people who share the same values. Allowing employees to have a balanced work-life is worth every effort. Only a respected employee will remain loyal and passionate about what they do. This loop of office misery needs to come to an end – for our sake and for future generations. By sharing our experiences, challenges, and successes, we can inspire and empower one another to break free from societal pressures and embrace a fulfilling life where career and family can coexist harmoniously.
So please keep sharing and speaking up for yourselves.