You Are Not Alone - by Lisa Martin, The Working Mother’s Coach
When you think about it, no one who ever accomplished anything great did it by themselves. Other people encouraged and supported them along the way.
Take Oprah Winfrey, she is a powerhouse woman doing truly wonderful things for other women. She is able to do so much for so many because she places her trust in others to help her make it happen.
The same holds true for working mothers. Having a support team will make it easier and less stressful for you to balance the competing priorities of motherhood.
A support network can take many forms and may include family, friends, book club members, co-workers, business colleagues, industry associations and strategic alliances. How your support team is structured will depend on what works best for you.
You might find that a monthly supper club plus memberships in a couple of industry associations meets your needs. Or perhaps weekly email and telephone calls with business colleagues are ideal. A good support team will evolve with you. The right people will come and go depending on the current circumstances of your life. If you experience any major life changes such as a career transition, birth of a child or move to a new location you will most likely want to adjust your support network accordingly.
Women who are the most successful at balancing work and life have built up a support network, but more importantly they have established an "inner circle." Creating an inner circle means surrounding yourself with people you trust who are invested in supporting you to be your best. Those individuals closest to you such as your life partner, a favorite aunt, dear friend, mentor and coach form the basis of an effective inner circle.
Let these people into your life and ask for their support. Share your fears, frustrations and dreams with them. They will provide a different perspective, give you valuable insight and often make decision-making simpler. Having an inner circle means you don't have to go it alone.
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