It’s been a while since I’ve posted and I must apologize for the silence! We’ve jumped into 2011 with both feet and are under some tremendous - and very exciting - changes at BOWEN. In the weeks to come, more details will be revealed, but suffice to say, it’s been keeping our entire team moving at full speed ahead, including myself. I can’t wait to share our new developments with you, but in the interim, I promise to return to a more regular blog postings again. Check back often and if you aren’t already, please follow me on Twitter @sbowensmed.
Archive for the ‘Work / Life Balance’ Category
Survival Tips from a Mompreneur
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010I am very honoured to be selected as one of this year’s Top 50 MOMpreneurs® by the MOMpreneur® Networking Group Inc. I love how Frances Wright, CEO/Publisher of the MOMpreneur® magazine, explains what we do: “Mompreneurs are dedicated to raising their families while growing their businesses. They have overcome many obstacles because they are well prepared, focused, persistent, energetic and innovative. With the advance of technology, these entrepreneurs conduct business around the clock and around the globe.”
Like any working mom, I have those harried days when I am trying to keep on top of the busy schedules of our two active daughters, while also managing the many things that go on at BOWEN on any given day. Over the years, I’ve come up with a few rules to live by, which help me keep it all in perspective:
- Remember having it all means something different to everyone. Don’t start comparing alls rather define yours and then work to it.
- There are no rules that suggest you can’t blend work, life, family and community. Women tend to compartmentalize their lives. For me to have it all I have engaged my children in Charity. My charity in business and my friends as my clients.
- Always make time for yourself - having it all doesn’t mean loosing you.
- If you have children remember they are watching. I can’t tell you how many people complain of their work, lives, family….and then wonder why their kids don’t walk the same path.
Above all, keep a sense of humour and whatever madness is going on in the moment, know that this too shall pass and a lot of the things that get us stressed out make for some great stories down the road.
TELECOMMUTING MAKES THREE TIMES THE BUSINESS SENSE!
Friday, April 23rd, 2010This week is Telework Week in Calgary and there are several reasons to celebrate - and consider - why telecommuting makes sense.
Calgary Economic Development (CED) is leading a regional telework initiative called WORKshift that profiles and promotes the many benefits of telecommuting for employees. As part of this important program, companies are being invited to evaluate and incorporate flexible work arrangements for their employees.
I am really excited about CED’s leadership in this initiative and support the goal of Calgary becoming a centre of excellence in telework! There are so many benefits to telecommuting - for individuals, corporations and the environment. It’s a business practice that I personally encourage at BOWEN and one that organizations need to consider when looking at cost savings, space planning, sustainability and of course, employee satisfaction.
While there has already been much discussion on how telecommuting can help organizations realize efficiencies, as well as encourage employee productivity and a work/life balance, it also has a lot a merit from a corporate social responsibility standpoint. Here’s a fascinating fact: if there was a 3% reduction in the number of Calgarians commuting to work on any given week day, our traffic gridlock would be eliminated. What a time-saver, not to mention what it would do for our environment. Now that’s something that would help us all out!
WORKshift is the only program of its kind in Canada and it’s just one more way that Calgary is leading the way with its entrepreneurial, can-do spirit. Check it out at workshiftcalgary.com.
Making the transition back to the workforce
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010I am often asked by stay-at-home parents re-entering the workforce how to begin looking for a job, especially if they’ve been at home for a number of years with small children. First of all, I must say that for anyone who thinks that staying at home with young kids is “not working” is dead wrong! As a mother of two active young girls, I know how much energy, resourcefulness and wisdom is required to be at home with children. Stay-at-home parents are amazing (as are working parents who are also doing a juggling act)!
Here are a few tips that can help get you started:
- Try to reconnect with former colleagues. They can become your new network.
- Join a professional association related to your career so that you make new contacts and get on top of industry trends and issues.
- Update your resume! Don’t forget to look at the volunteer work you may have been doing and how these skills can transfer to valuable experience.
- Register with an agency like BOWEN and talk to a recruiter about any additional training you may require to be current in your field.
- Frequently search online. There are a wealth of job postings on-line. Target companies that you are interested in, check out professional associations and job boards too.
- Tell people you are looking for a job because you just don’t know who might know someone who is looking to hire.
Most of all, believe in yourself and what you have to offer. Don’t apologize for taking time off to raise a family. Be proud of this accomplishment and be honest about why you are going back to work.
Where is your blue sky?
Friday, February 5th, 2010I firmly believe that with every dark cloud there is a silver lining, and as we begin another year, many will use this time to think of their goals for the future. Regardless of your current reality – and even more importantly if you are in a difficult situation – it’s important to do some “blue sky” thinking.
Wiktionary.org defines blue sky thinking as “thinking that is not grounded or in touch in the realities of the present; open-minded thinking (i.e., as wide and clear as the blue sky)”.
Are you where you want to be in your career? If not, what can you do to get yourself moving in the direction of your dreams? Do you need to join a networking or professional group? Go back to school? Start looking at other opportunities? Find a mentor?
You are the person who can change your circumstances. It may not happen overnight but by taking those first steps in a new direction, you can create a different path.
A New Year…A Fresh Start
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010I love New Year’s! It’s exciting to symbolically leave the previous year behind and look forward to all that the next 12 months has in store! For many, 2009 was an extremely challenging year with the declining economy, job loss and significant corporate cutbacks. Looking ahead to 2010, there is cautious optimism that job market will start to open up with new opportunities as the economy starts its slow recovery. Rebuilding takes time, but change is good.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to various groups about change and thought it was very appropriate to share just a few of my favourite inspirational quotes as we look ahead to the new year with anticipation.
“Life isn’t just about what you can have; it’s about what you have to give. What kind of person do you want to be? Start asking these questions and thinking about the bigger picture-why you’re here, why the world needs what you have to offer. What I know for sure: You keep asking the right questions of yourself, and the universe and your own secrets will unfold in ways you never imagined.” - Oprah Winfrey
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. “ - Maya Angelou
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” - President Barack Obama
Happy New Year!
The Balancing Act
Thursday, October 8th, 2009As a working mother, trying to balance family commitments with a busy career, I know how hard it can be sometimes to keep all the balls in the air. In fact, if I’m honest, I do occasionally drop a ball or two! I know that there are many working moms (and dads) in the same situation. With school and extra-curricular activities now in full swing, the demands on time are even greater! In today’s softer job market, there are opportunities for employers and employees to find a better life / work balance.
Instead of laying people off, employers can consider offering reduced work weeks or job share situations. This gives employees the security of on-going employment, while also allowing for more time with family members. The reduction in pay can often be countered by a reduction in child care costs.
It can be a win, win situation for everyone!
Another option is to look at a flexible schedule. For many working parents, flexibility is a huge draw to a certain company or job opportunity. The ability to take a day to chaperone a class field trip or volunteer at a child’s school can be priceless.
Finally, employers can save money and keep high-performing employees happy by allowing for telecommuting. In this age of technology, why not let people work from home, as long as they are getting the work done well? I know for myself, a few quiet hours in my home office can be extremely productive - there are fewer interruptions and I can truly keep my focus on the project at hand.
Balancing work and family life is not easy, and things change from week to week, and month to month. However, know that as you may be struggling with balance, you are not alone. In fact, I’d say you are in good company!
Here are few articles with great tips for working moms (and parents):
http://balancing-career-mothering.suite101.com/article.cfm/strategies_for_work_life_balance
http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2007/03/worklife_balanc.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/article757602.ece
