I have a surprise Christmas gift for you to thank you for being a loyal visitor to my blog. With our inboxes being bombarded with emails, I really appreciate your presence on my mailing list and especially your feedback, kind words and support for Coaching Mums. My free gift contains more work life balance tips in the form of a 25 minute podcast interview that I recorded this week with Suzy Greaves of The Big Leap. Suzy is a friend, coach colleague and has been my own coach and mentor for many things, from writing a book, finding peace and making leaps! Read More
Hi! I'm Amanda Alexander PCC, Director of Coaching Mums. Welcome to the blog!
Since founding Coaching Mums in 2003, I've helped thousands of working mums across the World to create a sense of balance, fulfillment and success on their own terms.
Here on the blog, you'll find tonnes of free online coaching tools and tips to help you as a working mum to juggle all the roles you play... without losing the plot!
Life Work Balance Tip: Control Freak Mums Anonymous
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Post has no comments.Working Mums Debate: Can you have it all? And do you actually want it all?
We’ve come a long way, baby, so the saying goes. But, have we really? This question arises frequently within my working parents’ and working mums’ group coaching discussions. How far have the perceptions of society progressed with regards to motherhood and a mother’s decision to work outside the home? Read More
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Catriona Welsby commented on 27-Oct-2010 10:08 AM
Thanks for a great article Amanda! I hadn't actually heard about Emma Thompson's remarks but find it hard to believe that she manages to get her kids to and from school/nursery, cook their dinner each night, help with homework, clean the home, and do her day job which involves time out on location etc etc. There is absolutely no way she does all that without any help, even if that help comes from family and friends.
But what I found really interesting was that your article made me think about what 'having it all' means. Some people may think I 'have it all' - two flexible businesses with a great income, working part-time hours, being able to take my son to school and pick him up..... But I don't feel like I have it all. Let's face it, some extra money would always be nice, extra time with our children would always be nice, extra time with our partners would always be nice. I don't believe anyone 'has it all' because whatever level we are at, there's always something another rung up. As humans, we are never 100% content with what we've got (or at least not for longer than a month or so in my humble opinion!).
The definition of 'having it all' depends on the individual. For some women, 'having it all' is being able to be a stay-at-home mum without any financial concerns. For others, 'having it all' is being able to work full time in a job they love, whilst enjoying their children at evenings and weekends. For others, it's having flexible, part-time businesses that make a great income.
So we can go on striving to 'have it all', but I don't think any of us will ever truly believe we've achieved that. And do we really want to? Life might be boring if there was nothing else to aim for!
But what I found really interesting was that your article made me think about what 'having it all' means. Some people may think I 'have it all' - two flexible businesses with a great income, working part-time hours, being able to take my son to school and pick him up..... But I don't feel like I have it all. Let's face it, some extra money would always be nice, extra time with our children would always be nice, extra time with our partners would always be nice. I don't believe anyone 'has it all' because whatever level we are at, there's always something another rung up. As humans, we are never 100% content with what we've got (or at least not for longer than a month or so in my humble opinion!).
The definition of 'having it all' depends on the individual. For some women, 'having it all' is being able to be a stay-at-home mum without any financial concerns. For others, 'having it all' is being able to work full time in a job they love, whilst enjoying their children at evenings and weekends. For others, it's having flexible, part-time businesses that make a great income.
So we can go on striving to 'have it all', but I don't think any of us will ever truly believe we've achieved that. And do we really want to? Life might be boring if there was nothing else to aim for!
Life Work Balance Tips: 7 Self-Limiting Belief Busters
There are a number of ways I coach mums to battle their self-limiting beliefs, and following on from my previous blog post, here are more Life Work Balance tips and 7 of my favourite Self-Limiting Belief Busters! Read More
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Post has no comments.Free virtual seminar for working parents on Work Life Balance: UK National Work-Life Week
During National Work-Life Week, which runs from 27th September, I’ll be running a complimentary virtual seminar to teach working parents how to apply seven simple habits to improve their resilience, keep perspective when all around is a whirlwind and find time for a bit of fun ... even when “life ain’t perfect”. Read More
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Post has no comments.Life Work Balance Tip: Feel the Self-Limiting Belief....and Do It Anyway!
Or should this post be entitled, "When is a self-limiting belief not actually self-limiting"? I was inspired to write this post by one of my FaB clients who I coached earlier this week on a self-limiting belief around money. I felt this life work balance tip would help you with your self-limiting beliefs.
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Anonymous commented on 21-Sep-2010 10:05 PM
This couldn't have come at a more appropriate time. Only about ten minutes earlier I received an email offering an interesting job opportunity. While reading the i-did-this-in-the-90s-with-my-eyes-closed description to my husband, I commented that the sad thing was that I was doubting that i could deliver on the project. Thanks for reinforcing the fact that this way of thinking was b******s.
Five Ways to Get Your Business Noticed Online for Mumpreneurs and Work at Home Mums
These are exciting times. As a mumpreneur/ mompreneur you have so many opportunities available to you, some of which were totally unheard of only five years or so ago. Read More
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Post has no comments.Flying with eagles
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
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Bess commented on 17-May-2010 10:13 AM
Amanda, you've hit the nail on the head. Love your honesty and directness and you've made me look upwards for a change. Best wishes, Bess
S from Costa commented on 17-May-2010 11:49 AM
Crikey, have you got a hidden camera in my house? I'm just doing my CV, bracing myself for getting back out in the workplace and was gobsmacked by all I've achieved in life BC (Before Children). "I'm actually pretty cool!" I thought to myself. Then I checked my email and there was your newsletter!!! You're so right that we sell ourselves short. I feel like I've got my mojo back. My light is definitely out from under that bushel. Amen to that!
Ann-Michele Timmerman commented on 17-May-2010 01:02 PM
What a lovely article, Amanda! I especially enjoyed the Native American legend that you included! How completely apt!
What came to mind for me is that if an individual such as yourself - "one of the lucky ones - brought up to be confident and surrounded by supportive people," has challenges shining your own light as brightly as it can, gosh, what of those who didn't have those core beliefs instilled!
And I wonder why, even, as you said, for some of us who have had that support, we still don't have more infallible self-belief than we do?!
Thank you for sharing more of yourself in this edition!
Ann-Michele
What came to mind for me is that if an individual such as yourself - "one of the lucky ones - brought up to be confident and surrounded by supportive people," has challenges shining your own light as brightly as it can, gosh, what of those who didn't have those core beliefs instilled!
And I wonder why, even, as you said, for some of us who have had that support, we still don't have more infallible self-belief than we do?!
Thank you for sharing more of yourself in this edition!
Ann-Michele
Francoise Clechet commented on 17-May-2010 01:52 PM
Hie Amanda
Thanks for your hidden message on the inspire letter. I've recognised myself all right.
I see you as an eagle, of course!
I really enjoy this newsletter, give me a lot more courage to be myself.
PS: Out of my personnal EAGLE's challenge, I got one new client, my list of contacts is growing step by step every day, my site is on first Google page for some keywords...
Every thing is linked to my "Eagle" challenge: setting my first teleclass on line!
Thanks
Chaleureusement
Françoise Clechet
Thanks for your hidden message on the inspire letter. I've recognised myself all right.
I see you as an eagle, of course!
I really enjoy this newsletter, give me a lot more courage to be myself.
PS: Out of my personnal EAGLE's challenge, I got one new client, my list of contacts is growing step by step every day, my site is on first Google page for some keywords...
Every thing is linked to my "Eagle" challenge: setting my first teleclass on line!
Thanks
Chaleureusement
Françoise Clechet
Elaina Spicer commented on 17-May-2010 06:48 PM
I also had parents who supported me and told me I was great. How come I fell flat on my face once I hit the 'real world'. In the real world no-one actually says - 'oh well done, at least you tried,' when you miss a deadline. I sometimes wonder if my parents had been tougher, I would have been more prepared! The answer - find a boss who is prepared to praise you - (I'm lucky to have found one) and you go from strength to strength. I suppose everything is about finding somewhere you feel comfortable and able to perform your best. Best wishes. Elaina
Rachel commented on 18-May-2010 08:29 AM
From the first time I met you, several years ago, I saw you as an eagle and have never lost sight of that eagle. Your courage, your desire and especially who you are. Bravo for publicly declaring it and inspiring so many others in the process. When you can authentically say how great you are - you've got it and until then fake it till you make it.
Chocolate Fairy commented on 18-May-2010 12:47 PM
What a lovely post Amanda - inspiring. I have told my inner chicken to MOVE OVER and make way for the eagle within...and am ready to spread my wings! Thanks for reminding me...
Five Easy Ways to Stay Fit as a Working Mum With Little Time
Staying fit is an absolutely essential part of your long-term health plan, no matter who you are or what your "story" is. Read More
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Post has no comments.Five Great IPhone Apps For Working Mums
Tens of thousands of applications are there to really help us enjoy our iPhones. It's not too much of a stretch to say that the iPhone has completely revolutionised the way that we communicate. Read More
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Elaina commented on 17-May-2010 06:54 PM
Have you tried Sleep Cycle? It monitors how well you're sleeping. Not for those who are up with babies in the night - obviously you're not sleeping! But good if you're worrying you're not getting enough sleep. Or just if you're interested. Have fun!
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