Me at a Career Development Luncheon? Do I have a career?

Oh boy does this picture say a 1000 words! I think that every Mom I know feels like this, whether she works outside the home or not, it is always a struggle to find balance. But I digress....

Yesterday I had the incredible opportunity to attend a function with the Career Development Class at the local high school. I guidance counsellor, who is one of my bootcampers, kindly asked me to come along to the luncheon which had a "speed dating" format where the students rotated every 2-3 minutes asking questions about your career. So when I show up my Minister friend asks which hat I am wearing in terms of my career. And honestly I didn't know how to answer. I am a mom first and foremost. I am a fitness professional, business owner and massage therapist. I guess ultimately business owner encompasses the others but I found it very funny that as each student came and went and asked their questions I always came back to being Mommy. (A little ironic since I had to bring Colton with me. As he say next to me and did a math workbook and drew pictures, it occurred to me that HE is my main job, no matter what else I do). All of my other "jobs" and aspects of my career revolve around my children and my husband. Ultimately it is my family who gives me the gift of having the best of both worlds.

The question I was asked the most often yesterday was what do I "like the best about my job" and for me the answer was easy - the flexibility. I create a schedule that works for my family and my life and I am blessed to have people as client who truly understand and support that. At this season of my life this is the way that it is and I wouldn't change a thing. Who knows, a few years down the road things may be different but for now this is just perfect for me and my family and I am proud to say that we have created this together.

The other question that I got asked a lot was about my role models. I initially thought about my fitness role models and those business women I know who successfully manage to balance family and work life. But when I think of my childhood I see the beautiful packed lunches, smell the cakes and apple flips and feel the warmth of returning to a house that was a home. Mom was always there when I got home from school. She was a stay at home mom, although not necessarily always by choice (I certainly remember all of the jobs that she applied for as we got a little older) but she was always there. She volunteered, when she could, at school, she chaperoned the skating trips and other field trips. It was embarrassing at the time, lol, but looking back it gave me an incredible sense of security that I don't think I ever really realized that I had. Now in her mid sixties, and much healthier in some respects, she is working! Doing respite work with developmentally delayed adults. Giving that part of herself that she once gave to us, and finally receiving the love and gratitude that she probably never felt that she received from us. But there is no doubt that my devotion to my children and my family as a unit is something that I learned and lived from a very early age. And I have my parents to thank for that. My Dad was away, working to support us and Mom was home to give us what the money couldn't buy. And I am honoured to follow in her footsteps. My name is Lesley and I am a stay at home mom!

I always say that my family comes first and foremost. They are my main priority. But does the time that I spend throughout my day reflect that? I am first to admit that it does not always reveal the truth of where my heart is. Maybe it is a matter of priorities, maybe it is a matter of obligations but I ask you to ask yourself, just as I ask myself, if your daily activities are a TRUE reflection of what means the most to you?

Health and Happiness,

Lesley

What's Your Reason?

What is your goal?

What do you want?

What drives you?

What motivates you?

What is your reason?

So often people begin this type of journey because of a weight issue. It is a motivating factor for most people. But truth be known, wanting to be a certain size or number on the scale will NOT get you out of bed at 5:30am or get you off of Facebook to go for a walk. Don't get me wrong, it works in the beginning. It gets you started and it is great when it is all fresh and exciting and fun. But after about 3 weeks the novelty quickly wears off and the warm bed and cuddly spouse or the vacation pics from your old high school frenemies are far more appealing.

I have blogged about this before but it bears repeating. Goalsetting is the KEY to success. How can you get somewhere when you have no idea of your destination or when you need to get there? It sounds simple but it is true and it is something that I too continue to struggle with.

We do not want to get too excited and set ourselves up for failure by setting lofty goals that are unrealistic for us. But we can't be too soft and not challenge ourselves either! There is a fine line. It is best to set a bigger, long term goal then you will make the smaller goals along the way seem so much more attainable but they will keep you on track for your ultimate prize!

But truly it comes down to deciding exactly what you want and why. Like I said, a certain weight or size or even a trip or a wedding won't be enough to drive you to push yourself past your comfort zone.

Personally this all came to me again as I carried 5 jugs of water downstairs to be put away. It just hit me that it is pretty cool that I can grab those 19L jugs and carry them around without any pain or difficulty or having to depend on anyone else. I am incredibly grateful for that, but I am also aware that I work hard to maintain the healthy, strong body that I was blessed with. I can pick up my 30+ and 40+ lbs kids mid-tantrum and carry them away. I can get up on my own two feet early in the morning to go for a walk/run. I have the ability and I choose to view it as both an obligation and a pleasure to nurture and grow in both my body and my spirit.

Knowing that I can feel good in my clothes is a nice added bonus but it is not what drives me. For me it is about being healthy, active, fit, being a role model for my children, taking care of my husband's wife and my children's mother and honoring God by honoring my body, mind and soul.

Now I ask....what drives you?