Hey there, fellow jugglers! It’s Diana here, and let me tell you, the juggling act has been in full swing lately. Between running my consulting business and wrangling five little hurricanes over summer break (ages 2 to 10!), life has been a whirlwind of deadlines, baseball games, and enough sunscreen to stock a beach resort.
Before you envision me in a state of perpetual frazzle, let me assure you – I wouldn’t trade this for anything. But navigating the chaos, especially with a growing business, has definitely required some serious time management finesse.
Speaking of growing, not only are my boys sprouting like weeds (seriously, where does all the energy come from?), but my business is too! I’ve been lucky enough to take on some amazing new clients, which has been fantastic for my professional spirit, but let’s just say my calendar has gotten a serious workout.
Then factor in the end-of-school year madness: school living museum projects bursting with chaotic charm, frantic diorama projects that involve the outdoor fun of leaves and dirt all over the kitchen, and the ever-present mountain of laundry that seems to multiply overnight.
And if that wasn’t enough, throw in all-Star baseball season for two of my little sluggers! Between practices, games that seem to last for days (or at least feel that way when you’re chasing runaway toddlers in the stands!), and the emotional rollercoaster of wins and some tough losses, it’s been a summer of epic proportions.
But amidst the glorious chaos, there’s something truly magical happening. Seeing my boys work hard, learn the value of teamwork, and celebrate with genuine joy is a reward that transcends any business deal. And Luis deserves a giant gold medal for keeping the energy levels high and the baseball spirit alive – even after catching his 100th foul ball of the week.
So, how does a working mom with a booming business manage to keep all these balls in the air? Well, friends, it’s all about planning, prioritizing, and, most importantly, embracing a little bit of flexibility. Here’s my secret sauce (well, some of it, anyway – the rest involves copious amounts of coffee!):
1. Planning Like a Pro:
This doesn’t mean color-coded calendars and hourly schedules (although, hey, if that works for you, more power to you!). For me, it’s about carving out dedicated work time. While the boys are in school or occupied with some epic backyard adventure, I buckle down and focus on my projects. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a few focused hours.
2. Prioritize with Purpose:
Not all tasks are created equally. Learning to differentiate between what absolutely needs to be done today and what can wait creates space for those unexpected moments that life throws your way. A missed soccer practice because of a client call? Not ideal, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. But a parent-teacher conference? That’s non-negotiable.
3. Embrace the Flexibility Factor:
Life rarely goes according to plan, especially with a house full of little guys. A sick day here, a rain-delayed game there – these things happen. It’s about being willing to adjust your schedule and roll with the punches. Sometimes, that means taking a work call while perched precariously on the bleachers, cheering on your son’s team. It’s unconventional, but hey, it gets things done!
The Best Results
Two weeks ago (as of the date you’re reading this!), we packed and wrangled the boys, and embarked on our annual pilgrimage to the family lake house in Maine. And for once, this year, we decided to take the full 19 days off from work, both of us! Now, planning a nearly three-week vacation with five kids might seem like a recipe for disaster, but trust me, it’s going to be amazingly worth the effort.
All of the hard work put in to manage our work, get ahead for our clients, create automative solutions and everything else necessary to completely disappear for this amount of time was overwhelming at best. But the long hours, and honestly some tears, came with the best result. The ability to really pull this off.
This is a chance to unplug, reconnect with nature and most importantly, create lasting memories with my crazy, wonderful family. Technology will be limited, this post is being published completely automatically, but rest assured, I’ll be back soon, refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the business world throws my way. And of course, I’ll keep all my readers updated and informed on our planned chaos.
Until then, I wish you all happy juggling! Remember, it’s about finding your rhythm, prioritizing what matters most, and being okay with the occasional dropped ball. After all, sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones, the ones that leave you with a heart full