Let’s talk the home/work ‘balance’ or as I like to call it ‘integration’

For many years women have been duped into this trap of ‘balance’.

Picture this: as a clown at a circus juggles balls with the aim to keep all of them in balance, some remain in the air whilst there are two in the hands.

I’d like you to take this image, crush it (or rather leave it for the circus) and reimagine things.

The problem with this idea of balance is that it tries to avoid the conflict between home and work. It places the burden on women who shoulder a majority of home life responsibilities, not just financially, but actively and physically.

The problem with this notion of balance is that it forces us to do trade-offs. To choose one or the other at any given time. This is not just not right, but it is not fair at all.

This is one of the reasons I started The Womenomics.

FLOW

I have personally never seen a river fight a tide. Perhaps because it knows better.

During the most strenuous and most intense moments of lockdown, I remember having to have Malik with me in the room during Zoom Calls whilst his brothers were home-schooling, so he wouldn’t disturb his brothers in virtual classes.

Flow needs us to do the less ideal thing for the one that allows for things to eventually be completed or achieved. My work was done and the kids were successfully home-schooled. My husband wasn’t as anxious as he’d be if Malik were in the room when he was home-schooling and Malik got to say hello to some strangers on a Zoom Call… and we all had a good laugh.

Let’s also consider the times we live in: job losses, salary cuts, job descriptions are changing, company needs are changing… the list is endless.

What is important in staying in FLOW is deciding what your priorities are.

What is important to you right now?

As you worked through your time allocation and schedule in week 1, did the way you spent your time reflect your priorities?

What do you need to focus on and what do you need to eliminate?

FLEXIBILITY

A plan and schedule is there to channel you and help you maintain focus. Don’t get stuck on it. Learn to be light on your feet?

Can you move quickly and with agility when circumstances (read: sh*t) hit the fan?

There has never been a better time to respond to the changes happening around us positively and quickly like now. The thing is, we’ve always been told the only constant is change – and boy has it been constant for the past 8 months. I remember one single month I didn’t need to switch up, pivot or rethink something this year. No two days have been the same. And perhaps you feel the same way. Perhaps you work in an industry that is constantly switching up. Perhaps your feet are barely touching the ground and you feel overwhelmed.

But here are a few ways you can rethink your flexibility in this season:

Take time to develop your skills

In these tough economic times, only the most qualified and most relevant in terms of skills are going to get seen and heard (listen to this podcast: Careers During And After The COVID19 Pandemic)

COLLABORATION

The “Me” vs. “We” the difference between these two works is not just flipping the “M” but flipping your pride into vulnerability.

We take for granted the skill that is collaboration. I will get into much more detail about it further this week but what I want to express in this blog post is the importance for your own sanity and for your productivity.

In learning to outsource and delegate, you maximise your skills and free up your own time. You also give those that are in your life and on your team the recognition for the contributions they give, this encourages them to do more and to grow.

The biggest contributors in my team are my husband who is also my manager and COO, our nanny and domestic. You may have noticed that my values include family. Family is of the utmost importance to me, family grounds me. My children feeling safe, secure and love is very important, so securing the home front was a non-negotiable and it didn’t come easy (See blog post: https://www.artofsuperwoman.com/2016/02/08/nanny-break-up-tips/ and podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1397020/episodes/5746678-domestic-worker-s-rights-and-our-positive-obligations-as-employers-thinking-about-that-relationship-during-lockdown)

We need to respect the role and responsibilities of our domestics and nannies… this is hard work and needs to be compensated properly. Have CLEAR understandings on the roles and responsibilities upfront and the compensation. Draft a contract and follow all guidelines according to the employment act. You get what you give, honestly.

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