According to a 2005 survey by the U.S. Depart — ment of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005 survey, more than 70% of women with children work outside the home. With an increasing number of these women climbing the corporate ranks, balancing personal goals and career aspirations continues to be a struggle. The demanding expectations of fast — paced industries in competition with hectic family schedules can overwhelm even the most powerful working mothers. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey found that one in four working moms said they were dissatisfied with their work — life balance. So how do you find your equilibrium? BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to two executive mothers who admit it’s not easy and agree that it can’t be achieved without support. Here are their suggestions for how to gain control and create balance.
Wonya Lucas, 45, General Manager and Executive Vice President of marketing,The Weather Channel Networks
If I need to make a call home while I’m traveling for work, I do it. If I need to finish a project report at 3:00 a.m. so I can leave work early to attend a school function, I do that too.”
Lucas, a mother of two daughters, Alexis, 13, and Sydney, 10, describes her approach to managing work and family life as “integrated.” Her girls accompany her to company — sponsored, community volunteer activities on the weekends; conversely, she frequently engages them in the television business, discussing promotion strategies and programming for the networks they watch.
“I find I’m much more efficient and sane when I’m wife, mother, and television executive 24 hours of the day,” says Lucas, who admits she’s not much for compartmentalizing. “My goal is to do what needs to be done. I’m not as concerned with when or where I do it.”
Lucas, who has worked for corporate mammoths that include The Coca — Cola Co. and The Clorox Co., says that a flexible company work philosophy and schedule has allowed her to manage the different aspects of her life. “At the end of the day I accomplish my work goals and provide high — quality work in exchange for the opportunity to work in a way that satisfies me both professionally and personally.”
Lucas shares these tips:
Put first things first. Because Lucas doesn’t adhere to strict work and family hours, she says it’s essential that she prioritize what needs to be done. While her family is always her most important concern, she explains that a company audit that needs to be completed today takes priority over working on her daughter’s science project due at the end of the week.
Keep the lines of communication open. “Don’t keep your efforts to balance your career with that of your personal life secret,” says Lucas. “Discuss your priorities with your boss, your spouse, your co — workers, and your children.” She has an extensive support system that includes her executive assistant; her mother; her husband, Bruce; and her daughters’ nanny.
Stick to the agenda. The family keeps one calendar for all of their activities in a central location. Writing down an out — of
— town meeting in the same place as her daughters’ extracurricular activities helps prevent scheduling conflicts. “If it doesn’t fit on the calendar, then we can’t do it.” Lucas says that her commitment to following the calendar makes it a lot easier to avoid committing to too many things.Managing her family and career has been “more about juggling than balancing,” states Alonzo. Long hours at the TV station, constant travel, and frequent after — work social events require Alonzo, the mother of two daughters, Alexa, 14, and Isabella, 10, to manage activities in the various parts of her life. “It’s difficult keeping all the balls in the air,” she admits. Despite the difficulty, the cable network executive, who has ascended the ranks of the television industry over 17 years, has the following suggestions for fellow jugglers:
Focus on the task at hand. “I give 110% to whatever I’m doing at the time so that I’m not sidetracked when I’m doing something else,” Alonzo says. At the office, Alonzo minimizes distractions by using
voice mail to record messages, checking her e — mails at scheduled intervals during the day, and making certain that her childcare is in place at home. When at home, Alonzo completes any office work she has only after the girls have gone to bed. She says, “When I’m at home, it’s all about my girls.”Create a support network. Early on Alonzo identified personal and professional individuals who could assist her with managing work and family responsibilities. The supporting cast can include your spouse, parents, siblings, friends, caregivers, mentors, and co — workers. Alonzo relies on her mother and her husband, Luis, to take care of the children when she’s at work.
Take time out for yourself. Alonzo uses downtime during her commute or while traveling to refocus and reorganize. She says the “me time” allows her to get away from the grind, clear her mind, and refocus her juggling efforts. “Even if your ‘me time’ is not [gotten] in the typical or ideal way, get it somehow!”