Hey there, Thriving Mommies! Let’s talk about something super important: advancing your career while juggling the million other things on your plate. Yup, it’s totally doable, and I’m here to share some friendly tips to help you break through those barriers and thrive in your professional life:

1. Get Clear on What You Want: Take a moment to think about what you want from your career. Do you dream of climbing the ladder or mastering a new skill? Setting clear goals can help you focus your efforts and make a plan to get there.

2. Keep Learning: Learning doesn’t stop once you leave school! Take advantage of workshops, online courses, or even just picking the brains of your colleagues. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel in your abilities. If you keep an open mind, you can learn something new everyday. Don’t take my word for it, try it!

3. Lean on Your Squad:Surround yourself with supportive people who’ve got your back. Whether it’s a mentor at work or your mom friends who understand the struggle, having a squad to cheer you on can make all the difference. As an expat, this has been one of the hardest ones for me, but I rely on online communities of like minded people, even when not in person I know those ladies are always there for me.

4. Speak Up:Don’t be shy about sharing your career goals with your boss or coworkers. You never know what opportunities might come your way if you don’t ask! Some of my most important career milestones have been the result of talking to the people that can help me get there, not by buying me a way in but by helping me get clarity on what I need to get there. It was a matter of putting my willingness out there and knowing what skills would enable me. Once those opportunities opened up, it was a no brainer.

5. Flexibility is Key: Being a working mom means being flexible. As a perfectionist in recovery I know it’s not always easy. You want everything to go perfect but it won’t always be and that is also OK. These are the opportunities to give yourself the same grace you most likely give others.

6. You’re Worth It: It took me a long time to learn how to negotiate when accepting a new position, and I still sometimes struggle with it.When it comes to negotiations, remember that you’re worth every penny. Do your research, know your value, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you deserve.

7. Time Management Magic: With so much on your plate, time management is your secret weapon. Prioritize your tasks, set boundaries, and don’t forget to schedule in some “me time” too! One of the things that help me, is to create what I call “My Ideal Week”, I create an excel file with everything I want to do in a week, by day/hour. Most of the time, it does not go as planned but it serves me as a guide and, if it looks like too much on paper, then I know I need to re-work my plan.

8. Bounce Back: Let’s face it, there will be ups and downs along the way. But remember, every setback is just a stepping stone to success. Stay positive, learn from your experiences, and keep moving forward.

So, to all the incredible working moms out there, keep breaking those barriers, chasing your dreams, and showing the world what you’re made of. You’ve got this!